Asa's Reforms and Victory over Ethiopia
2 Chronicles 14:2-15
2 C.14.2 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מזבחות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- הנכר: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- והבמות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- וישבר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- המצבות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ויגדע: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- האשרים: NOUN,f,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:11-14 (structural): Kings’ account of Asa uses the same sequence of reforms—removing foreign altars/high places, breaking pillars, cutting down Asherim—Chronicles here parallels and expands that narrative.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (verbal): Hezekiah’s reform language (removed high places, smashed pillars/sacred stones, cut down Asherim) echoes nearly identical verbs and actions.
- Deuteronomy 12:3 (verbal): Prescriptive law commanding Israel to break down altars, smash sacred stones, burn Asherim and cut down poles—provides the theological/legal model for such reform language.
- 2 Chronicles 34:3-7 (structural): Josiah’s reform in Chronicles describes the same pattern—removing high places, cutting down Asherim and idols—showing a recurring reform motif within Chronicles.
Alternative generated candidates
- He removed the foreign altars and the high places, broke down the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.
- He removed the foreign altars and the high places, and he broke the sacred stones and cut down the Asherim.
2 C.14.3 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהודה: PREP+PN,masc,sg
- לדרוש: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אבותיהם: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3,m,pl
- ולעשות: CONJ+VERB,qal,inf
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- והמצוה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chr 15:12-13 (verbal): Directly parallels Asa's reform movement: the people enter a covenant to seek the LORD and to put away foreign gods—language and intent closely match 2 Chr 14:3.
- 1 Kgs 15:11-14 (structural): Kings' account of Asa describes removing foreign altars and commanding Judah to seek the LORD and follow God's statutes—an independent but parallel narrative to Chronicles.
- Ezra 7:10 (thematic): States Ezra's goal ‘to seek the law of the LORD, and to do it, and to teach…’ echoing the combined emphasis on seeking God and observing the law in 2 Chr 14:3.
- Deut 6:25 (thematic): Links obedience to the law with righteousness (‘it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments’), resonating with the call to observe the law and commandments.
- Ps 119:2 (verbal): ‘Blessed are they that keep his testimonies, and that seek him with the whole heart’ pairs the twin motifs of seeking God and keeping his commands found in 2 Chr 14:3.
Alternative generated candidates
- He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.
- He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.
2 C.14.4 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מכל: PREP
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- את: PRT,acc
- הבמות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- החמנים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ותשקט: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הממלכה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:11-14 (verbal): Direct parallel account of King Asa’s reforms—removal of high places and Asherim in Judah; Chronicles echoes the narrative found in Kings.
- Deuteronomy 12:2-3 (thematic): Law prescribing the destruction of high places, altars, and Asherim when Israel takes the land; provides the legal/theological rationale for such reforms.
- 2 Kings 23:4-7 (thematic): Josiah’s extensive reform includes removing Asherah poles, high places, and idolatrous objects—an analogous royal reform movement against cultic sites.
- Judges 6:25-32 (thematic): Gideon’s destruction of the altar of Baal and the cutting down of the Asherah pole in his town exemplifies the earlier practice of removing local high places and Asherim.
- 1 Samuel 7:3-4 (thematic): Samuel’s call for Israel to put away foreign gods and Ashtaroth and to serve the LORD parallels the reformist aim of purging cultic sites and objects from the land.
Alternative generated candidates
- He removed the high places and the incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and the kingdom was at peace before him.
- He removed from all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
2 C.14.5 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- מצורה: NOUN,f,sg,cons
- ביהודה: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- שקטה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואין: CONJ+PART,exist
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בשנים: PREP+NUM,m,pl
- האלה: DEM,pl
- כי: CONJ
- הניח: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- Judges 3:11 (verbal): Uses the same wording and concept—'the land had rest'—to summarize a period of peace granted after deliverance, paralleling Chronicles' note of repose in Asa's reign.
- Joshua 11:23 (verbal): Joshua's summary that 'the land had rest from war' closely matches the phrasing and theme here: a divinely given period of security following decisive action.
- Judges 8:28 (verbal): Reports that 'the land had rest forty years' after Gideon's victories; thematically parallels Chronicles' emphasis on a prolonged, God‑given peace and stability.
- 1 Kings 15:11-15 (structural): Parallel account of Asa in the Deuteronomistic history: these verses describe Asa's reforms and righteous rule. Chronicles expands that tradition by adding details about fortified cities and the explicit statement that the LORD granted him rest.
Alternative generated candidates
- He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet; there was no war in those years, for the LORD had given him rest.
- He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet and there was no war in those years, for the LORD had given him rest.
2 C.14.6 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ליהודה: PREP+PN,masc,sg
- נבנה: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ונסב: VERB,qal,perf,1,m,pl
- חומה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ומגדלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- דלתים: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ובריחים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- עודנו: ADV
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לפנינו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- דרשנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- דרשנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,pl
- וינח: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לנו: PREP+PRON,1,pl
- מסביב: ADV,loc
- ויבנו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ויצליחו: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,pl
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 15:15 (thematic): Continues the theme that God granted Judah rest from war during Asa’s reign—explicitly states there was no more war, paralleling ‘the land had rest’ and divine granting of security.
- Nehemiah 4:6 (structural): Describes rebuilding city walls and the people’s successful completion of the work (‘So built we the wall…’), paralleling the concrete building of walls, towers, gates and bars in 2 Chr 14:6.
- Psalm 127:1 (verbal): Asserts that building and success depend on the Lord (‘Except the LORD build the house…’), echoing 2 Chr 14:6’s linkage of seeking the LORD with receiving rest and prospering in construction.
- Isaiah 32:18 (thematic): Promises peaceful habitation and secure dwellings for God’s people (‘My people shall dwell in a peaceable habitation…’), resonating with the verse’s emphasis on God-given rest and the ensuing reconstruction and prosperity.
Alternative generated candidates
- He said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and with towers, gates, and bars; for the land is still before us. Because we have sought the LORD our God, we sought him, and he has given us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.
- Then Asa said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls, towers, gates, and bars— the land is still before us. For we have sought the LORD our God; we sought him, and he gave us rest on every side.” So they built and prospered.
2 C.14.7 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- לאסא: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- צנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ורמח: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מיהודה: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- ומבנימן: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נשאי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- מגן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודרכי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,const
- קשת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מאתים: NUM,m,pl,abs
- ושמונים: NUM,card,pl,m
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- כל: DET
- אלה: DEM,pl,abs
- גבורי: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- חיל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 12:23 (verbal): Uses the same trope/phrase of 'mighty men' (gibborim) to describe a roster of fighting men—verbal parallel in describing elite warriors who join a king.
- 2 Chronicles 13:3 (verbal): Another royal military enumeration in Chronicles that gives precise numbers and calls the troops 'mighty/ chosen men'—a close verbal and thematic parallel in presenting Judahite forces.
- 1 Chronicles 21:5 (thematic): A large-scale military census (Israel and Judah) that echoes the motif of counting fighting men and presenting military strength by number—thematic parallel on army enumeration and capacity.
- 2 Chronicles 14:9 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation in the same chapter: Zerah the Egyptian/ Cushite advances with a vast host, providing the opponent and dramatic context for why Asa's listed forces matter.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa had an army that carried shields and spears from Judah, three hundred thousand; and from Benjamin, who bore shields and bows, two hundred and eighty thousand— all these men of valour.
- Now for Asa there were men of war who carried shield and spear from Judah three hundred thousand, and from Benjamin those who bore shield and were skilled with bows two hundred and eighty thousand; all of them mighty men of valor.
2 C.14.8 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- זרח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכושי: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בחיל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלף: NUM,m,sg
- אלפים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ומרכבות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- שלש: NUM,card,f,sg
- מאות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- מרשה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:19 (quotation): Direct parallel account of Zerah the Cushite coming against Judah with a million men and 300 chariots to Mareshah — essentially the same report as in Chronicles.
- 2 Chr 14:9-15 (structural): Immediate continuation in Chronicles that narrates Asa’s prayer and the LORD’s rout of Zerah’s forces — same episode analyzed within the same narrative unit.
- Exodus 14:7 (thematic): An army with chariots pursuing God’s people (Egyptian chariots pursuing Israel) — similar motif of a powerful chariot-equipped foe threatened and then overcome by divine action.
- Isaiah 37:36 (cf. 2 Kings 19:35) (thematic): The LORD miraculously destroys a vast invading army (the Assyrian host), paralleling the theme of divine intervention against numerically superior forces that threatens God’s people.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Zerah the Cushite came out against them with an army of a thousand thousands and three hundred chariots; he came as far as Mareshah.
- But Zerah the Cushite came out against them with an army of a thousand thousands and three hundred chariots, and he came as far as Mareshah.
2 C.14.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויערכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- מלחמה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- בגיא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- צפתה: NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
- למרשה: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr 14:10-15 (structural): Immediate continuation of the same episode in Chronicles describing the battle, the rout of Zerah's forces, and God's deliverance—same context and narrative unit.
- 1 Kgs 15:16-22 (structural): Parallel material in the Deuteronomistic history that records Asa's military activity and conflicts (the Kings account preserves related traditions about Asa's wars).
- Josh 15:44 (structural): Geographical parallel—Maresha is listed among the towns of Judah in Joshua's allotment, tying the battle's location to the tribal/territorial tradition.
- 2 Sam 5:17-25 (thematic): David's engagements with the Philistines in a valley where God grants victory echo the motif of a Judahite king meeting a powerful invading force in a valley and prevailing by divine aid.
- Judg 7:19-22 (thematic): Gideon's surprise/night attack and the rout of a much larger enemy illustrate the recurring biblical theme of miraculous victory of Israel/Judahite forces against superior foes by God's intervention.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa went out to meet him, and they set the battle in the valley of Zephathah by Mareshah.
- Asa marched out against him, and they arrayed for battle in the Valley of Zephathah, near Mareshah.
2 C.14.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקרא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אין: PART,neg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- לעזור: VERB,qal,inf
- בין: PREP
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- לאין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עזרנו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg+PRON,1,pl
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- כי: CONJ
- עליך: PREP+2ms
- נשענו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- ובשמך: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+pr2ms
- באנו: VERB,qal,perf,1,c,pl
- על: PREP
- ההמון: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהינו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:1,pl
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יעצר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
- אנוש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 20:12 (verbal): Jehoshaphat's prayer uses very similar language of helplessness before a great host and reliance on God: 'we have no power against this great company... our eyes are upon You.'
- Psalm 20:7 (verbal): Contrasts trust in human military strength with trust in God's name—'some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD'—echoing 'in your name have we come.'
- Psalm 118:6 (thematic): Expresses the same confidence that God’s presence removes fear of human enemies: 'The LORD is on my side; I will not fear; what can man do to me?,' paralleling Asa's appeal that man should not prevail.
- Exodus 14:13–14 (allusion): Moses' command at the Red Sea—'Fear not... the LORD will fight for you'—serves as an earlier model of trusting God to deliver from overwhelming foes, as Asa does here.
- 2 Chronicles 32:8 (verbal): Hezekiah's declaration—'with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles'—parallels Asa's plea that God, not man, should have the victory.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa cried to the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, it is nothing for you to help by many or by few. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”
- Asa cried to the LORD his God and said, “O LORD, there is none like you to help, whether with many or with those of no strength. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”
2 C.14.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויגף: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הכושים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- לפני: PREP
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- וינסו: VERB,qal,imprf,3,m,pl
- הכושים: NOUN,m,pl,def
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:18-19 (structural): Parallel narrative (doublet) describing Asa's victory over Zerah the Cushite/Ethiopian; both accounts record a Cushite invasion defeated under Asa's rule.
- 2 Chronicles 14:12 (structural): Immediate continuation in the same chapter describing the spoils taken from the fleeing Cushites and what Asa did with them—directly connected to v.11.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (thematic): Expresses the theological principle behind the victory: the LORD fights for Israel and grants them victory over their enemies, echoing the motive for divine intervention in 2 Chr 14:11.
- Psalm 68:31 (allusion): Speaks of Ethiopia (Cush) submitting or stretching out hands to God—an image thematically consonant with the defeat and submission of the Cushites in Asa's time.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD smote the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.
- The LORD struck the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.
2 C.14.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירדפם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והעם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עמו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- עד: PREP
- לגרר: PREP+VERB,qal,inf
- ויפל: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- מכושים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לאין: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- מחיה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- נשברו: VERB,nip,perf,3,m,pl
- לפני: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ולפני: CONJ+PREP
- מחנהו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- שלל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הרבה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מאד: ADV
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:20-22 (quotation): Parallel account of Asa’s pursuit of the Cushites to Gerar and the taking of great spoil — Chronicles retells the same victory found in the Deuteronomistic history.
- 2 Chronicles 20:22-23 (thematic): God defeats Judah’s enemies so that they destroy one another and none escape — similar motif of the enemy being broken before the LORD and stricken to nothing.
- 1 Samuel 17:47 (thematic): David’s declaration that victory belongs to the LORD rather than human arms echoes theodicy in Asa’s victory: the defeat is ascribed to Yahweh’s intervention.
- Psalm 44:3 (thematic): The psalm attributes Israel’s victories to God’s hand rather than human strength, paralleling Chronicles’ emphasis that the Cushites were broken before the LORD.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa pursued them, and the people who were with him, as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell so that there was no remnant left— for they were crushed before the LORD and before his host— and they carried off very much plunder.
- Asa and the people who were with him pursued them to Gerar, and the Cushites fell down—there was no power to resist them; they were crushed before the LORD and his host, and they carried off very great spoil.
2 C.14.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- סביבות: NOUN,f,pl,abs
- גרר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כי: CONJ
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- פחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- עליהם: PREP,3,m,pl
- ויבזו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הערים: NOUN,f,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- בזה: PREP+DEM
- רבה: ADJ,f,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Chronicles 14:12-16 (structural): Parallel victory narrative: after divine aid Israel routs enemies and pursues/takes surrounding towns and spoil (Chronicles repeats the motif of striking enemy cities and plundering after the LORD grants victory).
- Joshua 10:6-11 (thematic): Divine intervention produces fear and rout of enemy cities; Israel captures/takes spoil—similar linkage of the LORD’s action causing fear and enabling the taking of surrounding towns.
- 1 Samuel 7:10-11 (thematic): The LORD intervenes (thundering/confounding the Philistines), producing panic and allowing Israel to pursue and strike the enemy—parallels the causation ‘fear of the LORD’ leading to rout and capture.
- Judges 1:8-11 (thematic): Reports of Israel attacking and taking nearby cities, putting inhabitants to the sword and spoiling towns—comparable motif of sweeping victories against surrounding towns and taking booty.
Alternative generated candidates
- They struck all the cities round about Gerar, for the fear of the LORD had come upon them; and they plundered all the cities, for there was great spoil in them.
- They struck all the cities around Gerar, for the fear of the LORD was upon them, and they plundered all the cities, for there was much spoil in them.
2 C.14.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- אהלי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- מקנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הכו: VERB,qal,perf,3,pl
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- צאן: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- לרב: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וגמלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- וישבו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- ירושלם: NOUN,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chr. 14:12-15 (structural): Immediate narrative context: the same episode (Asa’s victory over Zerah the Cushite) describes the rout of the enemy and the carrying off of much spoil, including flocks and camels.
- 1 Sam. 30:16-20 (thematic): After routing the Amalekites David’s men recover great spoil and drive off flocks and camels; parallels the motif of a victorious Israelite band taking livestock as booty.
- Num. 31:7-12 (thematic): In the war against Midian Israel seizes livestock and other spoil; the passage reflects the general practice of capturing animals as part of war booty like in 2 Chr 14:14.
- Judg. 8:10-12 (thematic): Gideon’s pursuit of the Midianites results in the capture of enemies and their possessions; thematically comparable as a victorious rout followed by appropriation of goods.
Alternative generated candidates
- They also struck the tents of the livestock and carried off many sheep and camels, and they returned to Jerusalem.
- They also struck the tents of the livestock and took flocks in abundance and camels, and they returned to Jerusalem.
He removed the foreign altars and the high places, broke the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles.
He commanded Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to keep the law and the commandment.
He removed from all the cities of Judah the high places and the incense altars; and the kingdom was at peace before him.
He built fortified cities in Judah, for the land was quiet and there was no war in those years, for the LORD had given him rest.
He said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars; for we have sought the LORD our God—we have sought him—and he has given us rest all around.” So they built and prospered.
Asa mustered an army bearing shields and spears from Judah, three hundred thousand; and from Benjamin, bearing shields and drawing bows, two hundred eighty thousand— all these mighty men of valor.
Zerah the Cushite came out against them with a thousand thousands and three hundred chariots; he came as far as Mareshah.
Asa went out to meet him, and they drew up for battle in the valley of Zephath by Mareshah.
Asa cried to the LORD his God: “O LORD, it is nothing to you to help whether by many or by few. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on you, and in your name we come against this multitude. O LORD, you are our God; do not let man prevail against you.”
The LORD struck the Cushites before Asa and before Judah, and the Cushites fled.
Asa pursued them and the people who were with him to Gerar; the Cushites fell until none remained alive, for they were crushed before the LORD and before his army; and they carried off very much spoil.
They struck all the cities round about Gerar—for the fear of the LORD fell on them—and they plundered the cities, for there was great spoil in them.
They also struck the tents of the livestock and took flocks in abundance and camels; then they returned to Jerusalem.