He had them strongly fortified and appointed a commander for each of them, and in each one he placed supplies of food, olive oil, and wine,

and also shields and spears. In this way he kept Judah and Benjamin under his control.

When Asa heard the prophecy that Azariah son of Oded had spoken, he was encouraged. He did away with all the idols in the land of Judah and Benjamin and all the idols in the cities he had captured in the hill country of Ephraim. He also repaired the altar of the LORD that stood in the Temple courtyard.