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.
Built Ramah - i:e., fortified it (cf. 1 Kings 17:22); erected a strong fortress at Ramah (of Benjamin er-Ram), which was near Gibeah, toward Beth-el (Beitin), on the east of the Nabulus road (Robinson's 'Biblical Researches,' 2:, pp. 315-317; 'Handbook of Syria,' pp. 326, 346), and only six Roman miles from Jerusalem. Afraid lest his subjects might quit his kingdom, and return to the worship of their fathers, he wished to cut off all contact between the two nations. Ramah stood on an eminence, overhanging a narrow ravine which separated Israel from Judah, and therefore he took up a hostile position in that place.