The final phase of Asa’s reign in 16:1–10, however, is tragic. When Jeroboam’s son Baasha regains territory his father lost to Asa’s father Abijah (see 2 Chronicles 13), Asa responds by entering into a military alliance with the Syrian king Ben-Hadad, whose territory lay to the north of Baasha (thus Asa surrounded Baasha and forced him to fight on two fronts). The use of resources from the temple to entice Ben-Hadad into an agreement is despicable. Once again a prophet arises to confront Asa, and Hanani contrasts Yahweh’s faith during Asa’s early reign as he faced the great Ethiopian army (chap. 15) with Asa’s unbelief when…