Chapter 14

Asa takes over, and the land has rest for 10 years.  Presumably because Israel's army had been so thoroughly defeated.  During the 10 years Asa fortifies several towns in Judah, tears down idols and such, and builds up his army.  It also says that he took out ALL the high places and broke down the pillars and cut down the Asherim.  It doesn't say this about many kings, even the good kings of Judah often left the high places alone.  It says that Abijah left them alone, in fact.  This is a big deal, purging ALL idolatry from the land.  Asa has 300,000 men from Judah with large shields and spears, and 280,000 from Benjamin with shields and bows.

But it says that Zerah the Ethiopian brings an army of a million men and 300 chariots against them.  MSB note says it is likely that the Pharaoh of Egypt was supporting Zerah in an attempt like that of Shishak earlier.  Asa prays for God's help, gets it, and defeats this massive army from the south.  It says that Asa and his army pursued the Ethiopians until none was left alive.  They plunder the belongings of the Ethiopians, and then plunder several towns in the area taking goods and livestock.  Slaves are not mentioned here.  Per MSB, Egypt does not bother Israel again for 150 years.