So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
So Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent his army commanders with their forces to attack the cities of Israel. They struck Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maachah, and all of Kinnereth, along with all the territory of Naphtali.
Ben-hadad agreed to help King Asa by attacking northern Israel with his armies, capturing several important cities and regions.
📚 Historical Context
This occurred around 900 BC when King Asa of Judah made an alliance with Ben-hadad of Syria (Damascus) to pressure King Baasha of Israel, who was threatening Judah by fortifying Ramah. The cities mentioned were all in northern Israel, showing how Ben-hadad's attack forced Baasha to withdraw from his southern campaign to defend his northern borders.
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