Baasha started his rule in Asa’s third year (1 Kings 15:33). Once Baasha was in power, Judah faced new conflicts with Israel. Asa also defended against an attack by Zerah the Ethiopian (2 Chronicles 14:9–12), likely a commander for Pharaoh Osorkon I, who ruled from 924 to 889 BC. Asa and his troops achieved a major victory and seized a large amount of loot from Zerah’s forces and towns in the Negev, which likely initiated the Egyptian invasion.