In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not allow anyone to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Six and thirtieth year of his kingdom. That is, of the kingdom of Juda, taking the date of it from the beginning of the reign of Roboam. Challoner.—It was the 16th of Asa. We read that Raasa died in the 26th year of Asa. 3 Kennicott. 16:8. How then could he fight with him in the 36th? Tirinus.—Rama was on an eminence, and commanded the pass below. Baasa wished to cut off all communication with the kingdom of Juda, as he knew many of his subjects had emigrated for the sake of the true religion. Calmet. 15:9. Calmet.—He had taken the city from the tribe of Benjamin. Tirinus.