[6] And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the LORD had given him rest. [7] Therefore he said unto Judah, Let us build these cities, and make about them walls, and towers, gates, and bars, while the land is yet before us; because we have sought the LORD our God, we have sought him, and he hath given us rest on every side. So they built and prospered. [8] And Asa had an army of men that bare targets and spears, out of Judah three hundred thousand; and out of Benjamin, that bare shields and drew bows, two hundred and fourscore thousand: all these were mighty men of valour. [9] And there came out against them Zerah the Ethiopian with an host of a thousand and three hundred chariots; and came unto Mareshah. [10] Then Asa went out against him, and they set the battle in array in the valley of Zephathah at Mareshah. [11] And Asa cried unto the LORD his God, and said, LORD, it is nothing with thee to help, whether with many, or with them that have no power: help us, O LORD our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude. O LORD, thou art our God; let not man prevail against thee. [12] smote the Ethiopians before Asa, and before Judah; and the Ethiopians fled. [13] And Asa and the people that were with him pursued them unto Gerar: and the Ethiopians were overthrown, that they could not recover themselves; for they were destroyed before the LORD, and before his host; and they carried away very much spoil. [14] And they smote all the cities round about Gerar; for the fear of the LORD came upon them: and they spoiled all the cities; for there was exceeding much spoil in them. [15] They smote also the tents of cattle, and carried away sheep and camels in abundance, and returned to Jerusalem.