¹⁸ Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple^(A) and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent^(B) them to Ben-Hadad^(C) son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. ¹⁹ “Let there be a treaty^(D) between me and you,” he said, “as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.”

²⁰ Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. He conquered^(E) Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali.

¹² He will set fire^(A) to the temples^(B) of the gods^(C) of Egypt; he will burn their temples and take their gods captive.^(D) As a shepherd picks^(E) his garment clean of lice, so he will pick Egypt clean and depart.

Judgment on Israel’s Neighbors

³ This is what the Lord says: