Asa Reigns in Judah (1 Kings 15:9–15)
1 Brenton And 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. BSB BSB: Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years.
2 Brenton And he did that which was good and right in the sight of the Lord his God. BSB BSB: And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God.
3 Brenton And he removed the altars of the strange gods , and the high places, and broke the pillars in pieces, and cut down the groves: BSB BSB: He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles.
4 Brenton and he told Juda to seek earnestly the Lord God of their fathers, and to perform the law and the commandments. BSB BSB: He commanded the people of Judah to seek the LORD, the God of their fathers, and to observe the law and the commandments.
5 Brenton And he removed from all the cities of Juda the altars and the idols, and established in quietness BSB BSB: He also removed the high places and incense altars from all the cities of Judah, and under him the kingdom was at peace.
6 Brenton fortified 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. BSB BSB: Because the land was at peace, Asa built fortified cities in Judah. In those days no one made war with him, because the LORD had given him rest.
7 Brenton And 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. BSB BSB: So he said to the people of Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, with doors and bars. The land is still ours 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 Brenton And 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. BSB BSB: Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah bearing large shields and spears, and 280,000 men from Benjamin bearing small shields and drawing the bow. All these were mighty men of valor.
9 Brenton And Zare the Ethiopian went out against them, with a force of a million, and three hundred chariots; and came to Maresa. BSB BSB: Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah.
10 Brenton And Asa went out to meet him, and set the battle in array in the valley north of Maresa. BSB BSB: So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah.
11 Brenton And 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. BSB BSB: Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.”
12 Brenton And the Lord smote the Ethiopians before Juda; and the Ethiopians fled. BSB BSB: So the LORD struck down the Cushites before Asa and Judah, and the Cushites fled.
13 Brenton And 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. BSB BSB: Then Asa and his army pursued them as far as Gerar. The Cushites fell and could not recover, for they were crushed before the LORD and His army. So the people of Judah carried off a great amount of plunder
14 Brenton And they destroyed their towns round about Gedor; for a terror of the Lord was upon them: and they spoiled all their cities, for they had much spoil. BSB BSB: and attacked all the cities around Gerar, because the terror of the LORD had fallen upon them. They plundered all the cities, since there was much plunder there.
15 Brenton Also they destroyed the tents of cattle, and the Alimazons, and took many sheep and camels, and returned to Jerusalem. BSB BSB: They also attacked the tents of the herdsmen and carried off many sheep and camels. Then they returned to Jerusalem.
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