Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.
We have here a short account of the reign of Asa; we shall find a more copious history of it Ch2 14:1-15, 15, and Ch2 16:1-14. Here is, I. The length of it: He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem, Kg1 15:10.
Commenting on 1 Kings 15:9-24
Then King Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah,.... Summoned men of all sorts, ranks, and degrees: (none was exempted;) the Jews (z) say, not so much as a newly married man, whom the law excused from war the first year, nor the disciples of the wise men: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; or...
And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. (f) For the same reason that Jeroboam did, because the people should not go up to Jerusalem, least they follow Asa.