14. Asa was faithful to the Lord all his life. But he did not destroy the places where false gods were worshiped.
15. Asa and his father had given some things to God. They had given gifts of gold, silver and other objects. Asa put all these things in the Temple.
16. There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel.
17. Baasha fought against Judah. He wanted to stop people from leaving or entering Asa’s country, Judah. So he made the city of Ramah very strong.
18. Then Asa took all the silver and gold from the treasuries of the Temple of the Lord and his own palace. He gave it to his officers. And he sent them to Ben-Hadad king of Aram. (Ben-Hadad was the son of Tabrimmon. And he was the son of Hezion.) Ben-Hadad was ruling in the city of Damascus.
19. Asa sent this message: “My father and your father had a peace agreement. I am sending you a gift of gold and silver. Break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so that he will leave my land.”
20. Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa. So he sent his army to fight against the towns of Israel. He defeated the towns of Ijon, Dan and Abel Bethmaacah. And he defeated all the land near Lake Galilee and the area of Naphtali.
21. Baasha heard about these attacks. So he stopped building up Ramah and returned to Tirzah.