1In the thirty-sixth year of Asa's reign as king, Baasha, the king of Israel, went to war against Judah. He built up the city of Ramah so that no one could go in or out to Asa, the king of Judah.
2Then Asa took silver and gold from the treasures in Yahweh's temple and from the king's palace. He sent it to Ben Hadad, the king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, with this message:
3"Let's make a treaty with each other, just like there was a treaty between my father and your father. Look, I've sent you silver and gold. Go and break your treaty with Baasha, the king of Israel, so he will leave me alone."
4Ben Hadad listened to King Asa and sent his army commanders against the cities of Israel. They attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel Maim, and all the supply cities of Naphtali.
5When Baasha heard about this, he stopped building Ramah and ended his construction work.
6Then King Asa gathered all of Judah, and they carried away the stones and timber that Baasha had used to build Ramah. Asa then used these materials to build Geba and Mizpah.
7At that time, Hanani the prophet came to King Asa of Judah and told him, "Because you relied on the king of Syria instead of relying on Yahweh your God, the king of Syria's army has slipped out of your grasp.
8Didn't the Ethiopians and the Libyans have a huge army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on Yahweh, he gave them into your hand.
9For Yahweh watches over the whole earth, looking for opportunities to strengthen those whose hearts are completely devoted to him. You acted foolishly in this matter, so from now on you will face wars."
10Asa became angry with the prophet and put him in prison, because he was furious with him about this. At the same time, Asa also began to oppress some of the people.
11Indeed, the first and last acts of Asa are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
12In the thirty-ninth year of his reign, Asa developed a severe disease in his feet. Yet, even in his illness, he did not seek help from Yahweh, but only from doctors.
13Asa passed away like his ancestors and died in the forty-first year of his reign.
14They buried him in his own tomb, which he had made for himself in the City of David. They laid him on a bed filled with sweet-smelling perfumes and various spices prepared by experts. And they started a very large fire in his honor.