[1] So 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.
[2] And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God:
[3] For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke down the images, and cut down the groves:
[4] And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.
[5] Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. ¶
[6] And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest.
[7] Therefore he said to Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and 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.
[8] And Asa had an army of men that bore targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bore shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valor. ¶
[9] And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand thousand, and three hundred chariots; and came to Mareshah.
[10] Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah.
[11] And Asa cried to the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with you to help, whether with many, or with them that have 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 no man prevail against you.
[12] So the LORD smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled.
[13] And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them to Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil.
[14] And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came on them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them.
[15] They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.