Asa's reforms and victory over Zerah
1 Kings 15:9–24; 2 Chronicles 14–16
King Asa removed idols from Judah, and when Zerah the Cushite invaded with a vast army, Asa prayed and God gave Judah the victory.
Asa cried to Yahweh his God, and said, “Yahweh, there is no one besides you to help, between the mighty and him who has no strength. Help us, Yahweh our God; for we rely on you, and in your name we have come against this multitude. Yahweh, you are our God. Don’t let man prevail against you.”
2 Chronicles 14:11 (World English Bible)
Asa even removed his own grandmother from her position as queen mother because she had made an Asherah image. His prayer before the battle is one of the Bible's great prayers of dependence. Late in his reign, though, he relied on an alliance with Aram instead of God, and when his feet became diseased he sought doctors but not Yahweh.
Places
JerusalemSyriaDamascusCity of DavidMizpahDanRamahGebaKidronTirzahGerarAbel-beth-maacahMareshahChinnerethIjonValley of Zephathah
Dating notes
The battle isn't dated precisely; the reforms led to peace until Asa's 35th year (2 Chronicles 15:19). The date shown is an estimate.