3. He commanded Judah to seek Adonai, the God of their fathers, and to obey the Torah and the mitzvah.
4. He also removed the high places and the incense stands out of all the cities of Judah. So the kingdom remained untroubled under him.
5. He built up fortified cities in Judah, for the land was untroubled and he was not engaged in warfare during those years because Adonai had given him rest.
6. Then he said to Judah, “Let us build these cities and surround them with walls and towers, gates and bars, while the land is still ours because we have sought Adonai Eloheinu. We sought Him and He has given us rest all around.” So they built and were successful.
7. Now Asa had an army of 300,000 men from Judah who bore shields and spears and 280,000 from Benjamin who bore shields and drew bows. All of these were valiant warriors.
8. Then Zerah the Cushite marched against them with an army of a million men and 300 chariots. When he arrived at Mareshah,
9. Asa went out to meet him and they arrayed for battle in the valley of Zephath at Mareshah.