17 (A)Baasha king of Israel marched against Judah and [a](B)fortified Ramah (C)in order to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah. 18 Then (D)Asa took all the silver and the gold that was left in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and the treasuries of the king’s house, and handed it over to his servants. And (E)King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Aram, who lived in (F)Damascus, saying, 19 Let’s make a (G)treaty between [b]you and me, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold; go, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will withdraw from me.” 20 So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, and [c]conquered (H)Ijon, (I)Dan, (J)Abel-beth-maacah, and all (K)Chinneroth, besides all the land of Naphtali. 21 When Baasha heard about it, (L)he stopped [d]fortifying Ramah and remained in (M)Tirzah. 22 Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber with which Baasha had built fortifications. And King Asa built with them (N)Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 15:17 Lit built
  2. 1 Kings 15:19 Lit me and you
  3. 1 Kings 15:20 Lit struck
  4. 1 Kings 15:21 Lit building

17 Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah(A) to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

18 Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple(B) and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent(C) them to Ben-Hadad(D) son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. 19 “Let there be a treaty(E) between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

20 Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. He conquered(F) Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali. 21 When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah(G) and withdrew to Tirzah.(H) 22 Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah(I) the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa(J) built up Geba(K) in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.(L)

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