1 Kings 15:16-22

Christian Standard Bible

¹⁶ There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel throughout their reigns.^{(A) 17} Israel’s King Baasha went to war against Judah.^(B) He built Ramah^(C) in order to keep anyone from leaving or coming to King Asa of Judah. ¹⁸ So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple^(D) and the treasuries of the royal palace and gave it to his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad^(E) son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion king of Aram who lived in Damascus,^(F) saying, ¹⁹ “There is a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father.^(G) Look, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Go and break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel^(H) so that he will withdraw from me.”

²⁰ Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon,^(I) Dan,^(J) Abel-beth-maacah,^(K) all Chinnereth,^(L) and the whole land of Naphtali.^{(M) 21} When Baasha heard about it, he quit building Ramah and stayed in Tirzah.^{(N) 22} Then King Asa gave a command to everyone without exception in Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then King Asa built Geba^(O) of Benjamin and Mizpah^(P) with them.