1 Kings 15:22

Asa made a proclamation throughout[R.V. unto] all Judah Literally -caused all Judah to hear." The people, rather than the land, are spoken of, as is shewn by the next words -none was exempted." The whole labouring population was gathered on the king's requisition that the work might be completed while the pressure of the Syrians on the north was being sharply felt.

and they took[R.V. carried] away the stones of Ramah As in many previous instances R.V. takes the rendering from Chronicles, but only that the two may be made alike where the original is the same. The king of Israel had intended to make a great fortress out of Ramah. Hence there was prepared an immense quantity of stone and wood for his fortifications. This is what is meant by -building" in this whole passage. Ramah was to have been -fortified", and the materials sufficed to fortify Geba and Mizpah for Judah.

built with them R.V. built therewith. As in Chronicles.

Geba of Benjamin Geba (signifying -a hill") was on the extreme north of the kingdom of Judah, which is described (2 Kings 23:8) as extending -from Geba to Beersheba." It is mentioned among the Benjamite towns (Joshua 21:17), and was one of those allotted to the priests.

Mizpah The word signifies -a pillar" and is the name given to several places in the Holy Land. The town spoken of in this verse is the -Mizpah of Benjamin," within a mile or two of Gibeah. The LXX. translates both Geba and Mizpah, giving πᾶν βουνὸν Βενιαμὶν καὶ τὴν σκοπιάν.