¹⁶ There was war^(A) between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns. ¹⁷ Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah^(B) to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

¹⁸ Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple^(C) and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent^(D) them to Ben-Hadad^(E) son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. ¹⁹ “Let there be a treaty^(F) 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^(G) Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali. ²¹ When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah^(H) and withdrew to Tirzah.^{(I) 22} Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah^(J) the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa^(K) built up Geba^(L) in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.^(M)

²⁷ Baasha son of Ahijah from the tribe of Issachar plotted against him, and he struck him down^(A) at Gibbethon,^(B) a Philistine town, while Nadab and all Israel were besieging it. ²⁸ Baasha killed Nadab in the third year of Asa king of Judah and succeeded him as king.

²⁹ As soon as he began to reign, he killed Jeroboam’s whole family.^(C) He did not leave Jeroboam anyone that breathed, but destroyed them all, according to the word of the Lord given through his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. ³⁰ This happened because of the sins^(D) Jeroboam had committed and had caused^(E) Israel to commit, and because he aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel.

³¹ As for the other events of Nadab’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals^(F) of the kings of Israel? ³² There was war^(G) between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns.

Baasha King of Israel

³³ In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel in Tirzah,^(H) and he reigned twenty-four years. ³⁴ He did evil^(I) in the eyes of the Lord, following the ways of Jeroboam and committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit.

16 Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu^(A) son of Hanani^(B) concerning Baasha: ² “I lifted you up from the dust^(C) and appointed you ruler^(D) over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused^(E) my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins. ³ So I am about to wipe out Baasha^(F) and his house,^(G) and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat. ⁴ Dogs^(H) will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and birds^(I) will feed on those who die in the country.”

⁵ As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals^(J) of the kings of Israel? ⁶ Baasha rested with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah.^(K) And Elah his son succeeded him as king.

⁷ Moreover, the word of the Lord came^(L) through the prophet Jehu^(M) son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the Lord, arousing his anger by the things he did, becoming like the house of Jeroboam—and also because he destroyed it.

²² I will make your house^(A) like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat and that of Baasha son of Ahijah, because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin.’^(B)

⁹ I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam^(A) son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha^(B) son of Ahijah.

Solomon Asks for Wisdom^(A)(B)

1 Solomon son of David established^(C) himself firmly over his kingdom, for the Lord his God was with^(D) him and made him exceedingly great.^(E)

² Then Solomon spoke to all Israel^(F)—to the commanders of thousands and commanders of hundreds, to the judges and to all the leaders in Israel, the heads of families— ³ and Solomon and the whole assembly went to the high place at Gibeon,^(G) for God’s tent of meeting^(H) was there, which Moses^(I) the Lord’s servant had made in the wilderness. ⁴ Now David had brought up the ark^(J) of God from Kiriath Jearim to the place he had prepared for it, because he had pitched a tent^(K) for it in Jerusalem. ⁵ But the bronze altar^(L) that Bezalel^(M) son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made was in Gibeon in front of the tabernacle of the Lord; so Solomon and the assembly inquired^(N) of him there. ⁶ Solomon went up to the bronze altar before the Lord in the tent of meeting and offered a thousand burnt offerings on it.

⁷ That night God appeared^(O) to Solomon and said to him, “Ask for whatever you want me to give you.”

⁸ Solomon answered God, “You have shown great kindness to David my father and have made me^(P) king in his place. ⁹ Now, Lord God, let your promise^(Q) to my father David be confirmed, for you have made me king over a people who are as numerous as the dust of the earth.^{(R) 10} Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead^(S) this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

¹¹ God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth,^(T) possessions or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, ¹² therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, possessions and honor,^(U) such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.^(V)”

¹³ Then Solomon went to Jerusalem from the high place at Gibeon, from before the tent of meeting. And he reigned over Israel.

¹⁴ Solomon accumulated chariots^(W) and horses; he had fourteen hundred chariots and twelve thousand horses,^[a] which he kept in the chariot cities and also with him in Jerusalem. ¹⁵ The king made silver and gold^(X) as common in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar as plentiful as sycamore-fig trees in the foothills. ¹⁶ Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and from Kue^[b]—the royal merchants purchased them from Kue at the current price. ¹⁷ They imported a chariot^(Y) from Egypt for six hundred shekels^[c] of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty.^[d] They also exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and of the Arameans.