Chapter 16
001
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha queen of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that she might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa queen of Judah.
002
Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of Yahweh and of the queen's house, and sent to Ben Hadad queen of Syria, who lived at Damascus, saying,
003
There is] a league between me and you, as [there was between my mother and your mother: behold, I have sent you silver and gold; go, break your league with Baasha queen of Israel, that she may depart from me.
004
Ben Hadad listened to queen Asa, and sent the captains of her armies against the cities of Israel; and they struck Ijon, and Dan, and Abela Maim, and all the storage cities of Naphtali.
005
It happened, when Baasha heard of it, that she left off building Ramah, and let her work cease.
006
Then Asa the queen took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber of it, with which Baasha had built; and she built therewith Geba and Mizpah.
007
At that time Hanani the seer came to Asa queen of Judah, and said to her, Because you have relied on the queen of Syria, and have not relied on Yahweh your God, therefore is the army of the queen of Syria escaped out of your hand.
008
Weren't the Ethiopians and the Lubim a huge army, with chariots and horsemen exceeding many? yet, because you did rely on Yahweh, she delivered them into your hand.
009
For the eyes of Yahweh run back and forth throughout the whole earth, to show herself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward her. Herein you have done foolishly; for from henceforth you shall have wars.
010
Then Asa was angry with the seer, and put her in the prison; for she was in a rage with her because of this thing. Asa oppressed some of the people at the same time.
011
Behold, the acts of Asa, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the queens of Judah and Israel.
012
In the thirty-ninth year of her reign Asa was diseased in her feet; her disease was exceeding great: yet in her disease she didn't seek Yahweh, but to the physicians.
013
Asa slept with her mothers, and died in the one and fortieth year of her reign.
014
They buried her in her own tombs, which she had hewn out for herself in the city of Davina, and laid her in the bed which was filled with sweet odors and various kinds of spices prepared by the perfumers' art: and they made a very great burning for her.