So Abijah{H29} slept{H7901}{(H8799)} with his fathers{H1}, and they buried{H6912}{(H8799)} him in the city{H5892} of David{H1732}: and Asa{H609} his son{H1121} reigned{H4427}{(H8799)} in his stead. In his days{H3117} the land{H776} was quiet{H8252}{(H8804)} ten{H6235} years{H8141}.

And Asa{H609} did{H6213}{(H8799)} that which was good{H2896} and right{H3477} in the eyes{H5869} of the LORD{H3068} his God{H430}:

For he took away{H5493}{(H8686)} the altars{H4196} of the strange{H5236} gods, and the high places{H1116}, and brake down{H7665}{(H8762)} the images{H4676}, and cut down{H1438}{(H8762)} the groves{H842}:

And commanded{H559}{(H8799)} Judah{H3063} to seek{H1875}{(H8800)} the LORD{H3068} God{H430} of their fathers{H1}, and to do{H6213}{(H8800)} the law{H8451} and the commandment{H4687}.

Also he took away{H5493}{(H8686)} out of all the cities{H5892} of Judah{H3063} the high places{H1116} and the images{H2553}: and the kingdom{H4467} was quiet{H8252}{(H8799)} before{H6440} him.

And he built{H1129}{(H8799)} fenced{H4694} cities{H5892} in Judah{H3063}: for the land{H776} had rest{H8252}{(H8804)}, and he had no war{H4421} in those years{H8141}; because the LORD{H3068} had given him rest{H5117}{(H8689)}.

Therefore he said{H559}{(H8799)} unto Judah{H3063}, Let us build{H1129}{(H8799)} these cities{H5892}, and make about{H5437}{(H8686)} them walls{H2346}, and towers{H4026}, gates{H1817}, and bars{H1280}, while the land{H776} is yet before{H6440} us; because we have sought{H1875}{(H8804)} the LORD{H3068} our God{H430}, we have sought{H1875}{(H8804)} him, and he hath given us rest{H5117}{(H8799)} on every side{H5439}. So they built{H1129}{(H8799)} and prospered{H6743}{(H8686)}.

And Asa{H609} had an army{H2428} of men that bare{H5375}{(H8802)} targets{H6793} and spears{H7420}, out of Judah{H3063} three{H7969} hundred{H3967} thousand{H505}; and out of Benjamin{H1144}, that bare{H5375}{(H8802)} shields{H4043} and drew{H1869}{(H8802)} bows{H7198}, two hundred{H3967} and fourscore{H8084} thousand{H505}: all these were mighty men{H1368} of valour{H2428}.

And there came out{H3318}{(H8799)} against them Zerah{H2226} the Ethiopian{H3569} with an host{H2428} of a thousand{H505} thousand{H505}, and three{H7969} hundred{H3967} chariots{H4818}; and came{H935}{(H8799)} unto Mareshah{H4762}.

Then Asa{H609} went out{H3318}{(H8799)} against{H6440} him, and they set the battle{H4421} in array{H6186}{(H8799)} in the valley{H1516} of Zephathah{H6859} at Mareshah{H4762}.

And Asa{H609} cried{H7121}{(H8799)} unto the LORD{H3068} his God{H430}, and said{H559}{(H8799)}, LORD{H3068}, it is nothing with thee to help{H5826}{(H8800)}, whether{H996} with many{H7227}, or with them that have no power{H3581}: help{H5826}{(H8798)} us, O LORD{H3068} our God{H430}; for we rest{H8172}{(H8738)} on thee, and in thy name{H8034} we go{H935}{(H8804)} against this multitude{H1995}. O LORD{H3068}, thou art our God{H430}; let not man{H582} prevail{H6113}{(H8799)} against thee.

So the LORD{H3068} smote{H5062}{(H8799)} the Ethiopians{H3569} before{H6440} Asa{H609}, and before{H6440} Judah{H3063}; and the Ethiopians{H3569} fled{H5127}{(H8799)}.

And Asa{H609} and the people{H5971} that were with him pursued{H7291}{(H8799)} them unto Gerar{H1642}: and the Ethiopians{H3569} were overthrown{H5307}{(H8799)}, that they could not recover{H4241} themselves; for they were destroyed{H7665}{(H8738)} before{H6440} the LORD{H3068}, and before{H6440} his host{H4264}; and they carried away{H5375}{(H8799)} very{H3966} much{H7235}{(H8687)} spoil{H7998}.

And they smote{H5221}{(H8686)} all the cities{H5892} round about{H5439} Gerar{H1642}; for the fear{H6343} of the LORD{H3068} came upon them: and they spoiled{H962}{(H8799)} all the cities{H5892}; for there was exceeding much{H7227} spoil{H961} in them.

They smote{H5221}{(H8689)} also the tents{H168} of cattle{H4735}, and carried away{H7617}{(H8799)} sheep{H6629} and camels{H1581} in abundance{H7230}, and returned{H7725}{(H8799)} to Jerusalem{H3389}.