16 In the 36th year of the reign of Aʹsa, King Baʹa·sha+ of Israel came up against Judah and began to build up* Raʹmah+ to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to* King Aʹsa of Judah.+ 2 At that Aʹsa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of Jehovah’s house+ and the king’s house* and sent them to King Ben-haʹdad of Syria,+ who was dwelling in Damascus, saying: 3 “There is a treaty* between me and you and between my father and your father. I am sending you silver and gold. Come, break your treaty* with King Baʹa·sha of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

4 Ben-haʹdad listened to King Aʹsa and sent the chiefs of his armies against the cities of Israel, and they struck down Iʹjon,+ Dan,+ Aʹbel-maʹim, and all the storage places of the cities of Naphʹta·li.+ 5 When Baʹa·sha heard of it, he immediately quit building* Raʹmah and abandoned his work on it. 6 King Aʹsa then took all Judah, and they carried off the stones and timbers of Raʹmah+ that Baʹa·sha had been building with,+ and with them he built up* Geʹba+ and Mizʹpah.+