Asa Succeeds Abijah in Judah

1And Abia died with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David; and Asa his son reigned in his stead. In the days of Asa the land of Juda had rest ten years.

2And he did that which was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God. 3And he removed the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the groves: 4and he told Juda to seek earnestly the Lord God of their fathers, and to perform the law and commandments. 5And he removed from all the cities of Juda the altars and the idols, and established in quietness 6fortified cities in the land of Juda; for the land was quiet, and he had no war in these years; for the Lord gave him rest. 7And he said to Juda, Let us fortify these cities, and make walls, and towers, and gates, and bars: we shall prevail over the land, for as we have sought out the Lord our God, he has sought out us, and has given us rest round about, and prospered us. 8And Asa had a force of armed men bearing shields and spears in the land of Juda, even three hundred thousand, and in the land of Benjamin two hundred and eighty thousand targeteers and archers: all these were mighty warriors.

9And Zare the Ethiopian went out against them, with a force of a million, and three hundred chariots; and came to Maresa. 10And Asa went out to meet him, and set the battle in array in the valley north of Maresa. 11And Asa cried to the Lord his God, and said, O Lord, it is not impossible with thee to save by many or by few: strengthen us, O Lord our God; for we trust in thee, and in thy name have we come against this great multitude. O Lord our God, let not man prevail against thee. 12And the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Juda; and the Ethiopians fled. 13And Asa and his people pursued them to Gedor; and the Ethiopians fell, so that they could not recover themselves; for they were crushed before the Lord, and before his host; and they took many spoils. 14And they destroyed their towns roundabout Gedor; for a terror of the Lord was upon them: and they spoiled all their cities, for they had much spoil. 15Also they destroyed the tents of cattle, and the Alimazons, and took many sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem.