IDOLATRY AND DEFEAT. 237

away from the evil to come ; he only was permitted to
go down to the grave in peace, because in him was
found some good thing toward the Lord God of Israel.
Instead of being warned by the fate of his predecessors,
Baasha went on in the same course of wickedness, and the
Lord in displeasure sent a prophet to announce to him
that his posterity also was to be cut off, and his house
to be made like the house of Jeroboam, the son of Nebat.

But we will return to Asa, who, after ten years of his
reign had passed peacefully, was compelled to engage in
war. Zerah, king of Ethiopia, came against him with
a very numerous army, no less than a million of fighting
men, besides three hundred chariots of war. Asa went
out to meet them, and before the battle began he
earnestly prayed to the Lord in these words: “ Lord, it
is nothing with thee to help, whether with many or with
them that have no power; help us, oh Lord our God;
for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this
multitude: Oh Lord, thou art our God, let not man
prevail against thee.” The prayer was granted, the
Ethiopians were smitten and fled. Asa and his people
pursued them along way, and took many cities from
them, and carrying away much spoil, and cattle, sheep,
and camels in abundance, they returned in triumph to
Jerusalem. There they were met by the prophet
Azariah who saluted them in these words, “The Lord
is with you, while ye be with him; and if ye seek
him, he will be found of you; but if ye forsake him,
he will forsake you.” These are precious words, my