1And when Abiah was laid to sleep with his fathers, they buried him in the city of David, and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In whose days the land was quiet ten years.
2And Asa did that was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God,
3and took away the altars of strangers and the hillaltars, and brake the Images and cut down the groves,
4and commanded Juda to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do according to the law and commandment.
5And he put away out of all the cities of Juda, the hillaltars and the idols: for the kingdom was quiet before him.
6And he built strong cities in Juda: because the land was in rest, and he had no war in those year. For the LORD had given him rest.
7And therefore he said to Juda: let us build these cities and compass them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while we have the land quiet. For we have fought the LORD our God: and because we have fought him, he hath given us rest on every side. And so they built and prospered.
8And Asa had an Army that bare shield and spear, out of Juda three hundredth thousand, and out of Benjamin that bare shield and drew bows two hundredth and eighty thousand, and were all strong men.
9And there came out against them Zarah the Morian with an Host of ten hundredth thousand, and three hundredth chariots, and came as far of Maresa.
10And Asa went out to him, and they put in array to battle in the valley of Zephatah beside Maresa.
11And Asa cried unto the LORD his God and said: LORD, it is all one with thee to help them that have no power, with few or with many: help us O LORD our God, for we trust to thee, and in thine name be come against this multitude. Thou art the LORD our God. let not man prevail against thee.
12And the LORD smote the black Moors before Asa and Juda, that they fled.
13And Asa and the people that was with him, followed after them as far as Gerar. And the black Moors were overthrown, that there bode none alive of them, but were destroyed of the LORD and of his Host. And they carried away a mighty great prey.
14And they smote all the cities round about Gerar. For the fear of the LORD came upon them. And they robbed all the cities for there was exceeding much to be robbed in them.
15And thereto they smote the tents of cattle and carried away plenty of sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.