8. When Abijah died, he was buried in the City of David. Abijah’s son Asa became the new king after him.
9. During Jeroboam’s 20th year as king over Israel, Asa became king of Judah.
10. He ruled in Jerusalem for 41 years. His grandmother’s name was Maacah, and she was the daughter of Absalom.
11. Asa did what the Lord said is right, as his ancestor David did.
12. During Asa’s time there were men who served other gods by selling their bodies for sex. Asa forced them to leave the country. He took away the idols that his ancestors had made.
13. King Asa also took away the right of his mother Maacah to be queen mother. He did this because she had set up one of those awful Asherah poles. Asa cut down the pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
14. Asa did not destroy the high places, even though he was faithful to the Lord all his life.