Read the Modern Pastor’s Version
Select a book and chapter to read the MPV in modern, pastor-shaped English. This view shows the reading edition of the text in paragraphs.
Currently viewing: 2 Chronicles 16 · MPV reading edition
In the thirty-sixth year of King Asa's reign, Baasha king of Israel marched against Judah. He built Ramah to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to King Asa of Judah.
King Asa brought out silver and gold from the treasuries of the Lord's house and his palace. He sent them to Ben-hadad king of Syria in Damascus, saying, "Let there be a treaty between me and you, just as it was between my father and your father." Asa had also sent him silver and gold, hoping to break the alliance Baasha had with Israel.
The agreement between King Asa and Ben-hadad worked. Ben-hadad's army captains attacked Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all of Naphtali's storage cities in Israel. When Baasha heard about it, he halted construction on Ramah and abandoned his project.
King Asa then took the stones and timber from Ramah that Baasha had used to build. He built Geba and Mizpah with them instead. At this time, Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and said to him, "Because you trusted in the king of Syria rather than the Lord your God, the army of the king of Syria escaped from your hand."
Hanani reminded King Asa that even when faced with a massive enemy force like the Ethiopians and Lubim, he had been able to defeat them because he relied on the Lord. The prophet added that the Lord's eyes roam throughout the earth, seeking to show himself strong in behalf of those whose hearts are pure toward him.
However, King Asa grew angry at Hanani for speaking truthfully, so he imprisoned him and began to oppress some of his people. Despite this, the acts of King Asa from start to finish were recorded in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.
Later, during his thirty-ninth year as king, Asa became severely ill with a debilitating disease in his feet. Rather than seeking the Lord's help, he consulted physicians for treatment.
King Asa eventually fell asleep with his ancestors and died at the end of his fortieth year of reign. They buried him in the city of David, where he had prepared elaborate tombs. His funeral pyre was made from sweet fragrances and spices crafted by skilled perfumers.