14 Abijah ·died [^Llay down/^Tslept with his fathers/ancestors] and was buried in the City of David [^CJerusalem]. His son Asa became king in his place, and there was ·peace in the country [rest in the land] for ten years during Asa’s time.

Asa King of Judah^(A)

² Asa did what the Lord his God ·said was good and right [desired and approved]. ³ He removed the foreign altars and the ·places where gods were worshiped [^Lhigh places; 11:15]. He smashed the ·stone pillars that honored other gods [^Lpillars], and he ·tore [cut] down the Asherah [^Ca Canaanite fertility goddess] ·idols [poles; Deut. 7:5; 12:3; 16:21; Judg. 6:25, 28, 30; 2 Kin. 18:4]. ⁴ Asa commanded the people of Judah to ·follow [seek] the Lord, the God of their ·ancestors [fathers], and to obey his ·teachings [instructions; laws] and commandments. ⁵ He also removed the ·places where gods were worshiped [^Lhigh places; 11:15] and the incense altars from every town in Judah. So the kingdom ·had peace [was undisturbed] while Asa was king. ⁶ Asa built ·strong, walled [fortified] cities in Judah ·during the time of peace [while the land was undisturbed]. He had no war in these years, because the Lord gave him ·peace [rest].

⁷ Asa said to the people of Judah, “Let’s ·build up [fortify] these towns and put walls around them. Let’s make towers, gates, and bars in the gates. This country is still ours, because we have ·obeyed [sought] the Lord our God. We have ·followed [sought] him, and he has given us ·peace all around [rest on every side].” So they built and ·had success [prospered].