Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

In the eighteenth year of King Jeroboam's rule, Abijam began to reign over Judah. He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. His mother was Maacah, daughter of Abishalom.

Abijam followed all the sinful ways his father had taken before him. His heart did not remain steadfast with the Lord God like David's had been. Despite this, because of David's righteous actions and obedience to God's commands throughout his life – except for his involvement in Uriah the Hittite's death – God gave Abijam a lamp in Jerusalem to establish his son as king after him, and to ensure Jerusalem remained secure.

For David had done what was right in God's eyes and never strayed from any command given to him all the days of his life. He did, however, commit an error by not heeding God's command regarding Uriah the Hittite.

During Abijam's reign, there was constant conflict between him and Jeroboam. The rest of Abijam's actions and all that he did are recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah; it is also written that there was ongoing war between him and Jeroboam.

Abijam eventually passed away, and they buried him in the city of David. His son Asa succeeded him as king. When Jeroboam's son reigned over Israel for twenty years, Asa began his reign over Judah in the twentieth year of Jeroboam's rule.

Asa reigned in Jerusalem for forty-one years. His mother was Maacah, daughter of Abishalom. Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done. He took away male cult prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

Asa also destroyed the idol that his mother, Maachah, had created in a grove. This idol had been an abomination to the Lord. Asa burned it by the brook Kidron.

However, Asa did not remove the high places; yet, he remained perfect with the Lord throughout his life. Asa brought into the house of the Lord the things that his father David and he himself had dedicated – including silver, gold, and vessels.

There was ongoing conflict between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, for their entire reign. Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah to prevent anyone from going in or out to Asa king of Judah. To counter this threat, Asa gathered all the silver and gold remaining in the treasuries of the Lord's house and his palace.

Asa entrusted these riches to his servants and sent them to Ben-hadad, son of Tabrimmon, son of Hezion, who was the king of Syria dwelling in Damascus. He proposed a treaty between their two nations: Asa offered Ben-hadad silver and gold as an act of goodwill, asking that he break his alliance with Baasha so that Asa might be free from Baasha's encroachment.

Benhadad agreed to help King Asa, sending military leaders against Israel. These forces attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, all the cities in Chinneroth, and the entire region of Naphtali.

Upon hearing this news, Baasha stopped building Ramah and settled in Tirzah instead. Asa then made a proclamation throughout Judah, instructing that no one be exempted from gathering stones and timbers from Ramah, which had been built by Baasha.

Asa used these materials to construct Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. The rest of Asa's actions – his might, all that he did, and the cities he built – are recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. However, despite being a good king for much of his life, in his old age Asa became afflicted with diseased feet.

Eventually, Asa passed away and was buried in the city of David where his father was laid to rest. His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him as king.

Nadab, Jeroboam's son, began to reign over Israel during the second year of Asa's rule over Judah. He reigned for two years but did evil in the Lord's sight by walking in the same sinful path his father had taken and leading Israel astray from God's commands.

Baasha, a member of Jeroboam's family, conspired against Nadab and struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. This happened while Asa was still king over Judah; in fact, Baasha slew Nadab during his third year on the throne.

Baasha then took power and destroyed all of Jeroboam's household according to a prophecy spoken by God through Ahijah the Shilonite – because of the sins that Jeroboam had committed, causing Israel to sin against God.

The rest of Nadab's actions are recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. Asa and Baasha continued their ongoing war for the duration of their reigns.

Baasha, son of Ahijah from Issachar, began his reign over all Israel in Tirzah during the third year of Asa's rule. He reigned for twenty-four years but did evil in the Lord's sight by following Jeroboam's sinful path and leading Israel astray as he had done.

Thus, Baasha continued the sinful legacy of Jeroboam that God had judged through Ahijah the prophet.