17 Israel’s King Baasha went to war against Judah. 15:17–22 2Ch 16:1–6 He built Ramah 15:17 Jos 18:25 in order to keep anyone from leaving or coming to King Asa of Judah. 18 So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple 15:18 1Kg 14:26 and the treasuries of the royal palace and gave it to his servants. Then King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad 15:18 1Kg 20:1 son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion king of Aram who lived in Damascus, 15:18 1Kg 11:23–24 saying, 19 "There is a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. 15:19 1Kg 5:12; 2Ch 16:7 Look, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Go and break your treaty with King Baasha of Israel 15:19 1Kg 15:27–28 so that he will withdraw from me."
20 Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel. He attacked Ijon, 15:20 2Kg 15:29 Dan, 15:20 Jdg 18:29; 1Kg 12:29 Abel-beth-maacah, 15:20 2Sm 20:15; 2Kg 15:29 all Chinnereth, 15:20 Jos 11:2; 12:3 and the whole land of Naphtali. 15:20 Jos 19:32–39; 1Kg 20:3421 When Baasha heard about it, he quit building Ramah and stayed in Tirzah. 15:21 1Kg 14:17; 15:33; 16:8,15–1822 Then King Asa gave a command to everyone without exception in Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had built it with. Then King Asa built Geba 15:22 Jos 18:24; 21:17 of Benjamin and Mizpah 15:22 Jos 11:3; 2Ch 16:6 with them.