1So Abijah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa, his son, reigned in his stead. In his days the land was quiet ten years.
2And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God;
3He took away the altars of the foreign gods, and the high places, broke down the images, cut down the idols,
4And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
5Asa also removed the high places and the images from all the cities of Judah; and the kingdom was quiet before him.
6And he built fortified cities in Judah; for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him peace.
7Therefore, he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities, and build around them walls, towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought Him, and He has given us rest on every side”. So they built and prospered.
8And Asa had an army of three hundred thousand men out of Judah who bore bucklers and spears; and two hundred eighty thousand out of Benjamin, who bore shields and drew bows; all these were mighty men of valor.
9Then Zerah, the Ethiopian, came out against them unto Mareshah, with a host of a million, with three hundred chariots.
10Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
11And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, “LORD, it is nothing with You to help, whether with many, or with them with no power. Help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on You, and in Your name we go against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God; let not man prevail against You.”
12So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
13And Asa and the people who were with him pursued them unto Gerar; and the Ethiopians were devastated beyond recovery; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before His host; and Judah carried away very much spoil.
14And they attacked all the cities around Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them. And they plundered all the cities; for there was very much spoil in them.
15They also smote those in tents; and carried away cattle. sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
    |