11. On that day they sacrificed to the lord 700 cattle and 7,000 sheep and goats from the plunder they had taken in the battle.
12. Then they entered into a covenant to seek the lord, the God of their ancestors, with all their heart and soul.
13. They agreed that anyone who refused to seek the lord, the God of Israel, would be put to death—whether young or old, man or woman.
14. They shouted out their oath of loyalty to the lord with trumpets blaring and rams’ horns sounding.
15. All in Judah were happy about this covenant, for they had entered into it with all their heart. They earnestly sought after God, and they found him. And the lord gave them rest from their enemies on every side.
16. King Asa even deposed his grandmother Maacah from her position as queen mother because she had made an obscene Asherah pole. He cut down her obscene pole, broke it up, and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
17. Although the pagan shrines were not removed from Israel, Asa’s heart remained completely faithful throughout his life.
18. He brought into the Temple of God the silver and gold and the various items that he and his father had dedicated.