
Text -- 1 Kings 15:19-34 (NET)




Names, People and Places, Dictionary Themes and Topics



collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per phrase)
Wesley: 1Ki 15:21 - -- Now the royal city of Israel. There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second...
Now the royal city of Israel. There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second invasion. So Asa met with success in this ungodly course as good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good cause and course. So there is no judging of causes by events.

Wesley: 1Ki 15:22 - -- _All sorts of persons were obliged to come, except those who were disabled by age, or infirmity, or absence, or by the public service of the king and ...
_All sorts of persons were obliged to come, except those who were disabled by age, or infirmity, or absence, or by the public service of the king and kingdom in other places.

Repaired and strengthened them, for they were built before.

Wesley: 1Ki 15:23 - -- Notwithstanding the great things which he had done, and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed, he felt the effects of human infirmity, and of his ...
Notwithstanding the great things which he had done, and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed, he felt the effects of human infirmity, and of his own sins.


In the worship of the calves which his father had made.

Wesley: 1Ki 15:28 - -- _It was threatened, 1Ki 14:15, that Israel should be as a reed shaken in the water. And so they were, when, during the single reign of Asa, their gove...
_It was threatened, 1Ki 14:15, that Israel should be as a reed shaken in the water. And so they were, when, during the single reign of Asa, their government was in seven or eight different hands. Jeroboam was upon the throne at the beginning of his reign, and Ahab at the end of it: between whom were Nadab, Baashah, Elah, Zimri, Tibni, and Omri, undermining and destroying one another. This they got by deserting the house both of God and of David.

Wesley: 1Ki 15:29 - -- So God overruled Baasha's ambition and cruelty, to fulfil his own prediction.
So God overruled Baasha's ambition and cruelty, to fulfil his own prediction.

Wesley: 1Ki 15:30 - -- So that same wicked policy which he used to establish the kingdom in his family, proved his and their ruin: which is very frequently the event of ungo...
So that same wicked policy which he used to establish the kingdom in his family, proved his and their ruin: which is very frequently the event of ungodly counsels.
JFB: 1Ki 15:18-20 - -- Asa's religious character is now seen to decline. He trusted not in the Lord (2Ch 16:7). In this emergency Asa solicited the powerful aid of the king ...
Asa's religious character is now seen to decline. He trusted not in the Lord (2Ch 16:7). In this emergency Asa solicited the powerful aid of the king of Damascene-Syria; and to bribe him to break off his alliance with Baasha, he transmitted to him the treasure lying in the temple and palace. The Syrian mercenaries were gained. Instances are to be found, both in the ancient and modern history of the East, of the violation of treaties equally sudden and unscrupulous, through the presentation of some tempting bribe. Ben-hadad poured an army into the northern provinces of Israel, and having captured some cities in Galilee, on the borders of Syria, compelled Baasha to withdraw from Ramah back within his own territories.

JFB: 1Ki 15:22 - -- The fortifications which Baasha had erected at Ramah were demolished, and with the materials were built other defenses, where Asa thought they were ne...
The fortifications which Baasha had erected at Ramah were demolished, and with the materials were built other defenses, where Asa thought they were needed--at Geba (now Jeba) and Mizpeh (now Neby Samuil), about two hours' travelling north of Jerusalem.

JFB: 1Ki 15:23 - -- (See on 2Ch 16:12, where an additional proof is given of his religious degeneracy.)
(See on 2Ch 16:12, where an additional proof is given of his religious degeneracy.)

JFB: 1Ki 15:25 - -- No record is given of him, except his close adherence to the bad policy of his father.
No record is given of him, except his close adherence to the bad policy of his father.

JFB: 1Ki 15:27 - -- This town, within the tribe of Dan, was given to the Levites (Jos 19:44). It lay on the Philistine borders, and having been seized by that people, Nad...
This town, within the tribe of Dan, was given to the Levites (Jos 19:44). It lay on the Philistine borders, and having been seized by that people, Nadab laid siege to recover it.

JFB: 1Ki 15:29 - -- It was according to a barbarous practice too common in the East, for a usurper to extirpate all rival candidates for the throne; but it was an accompl...
It was according to a barbarous practice too common in the East, for a usurper to extirpate all rival candidates for the throne; but it was an accomplishment of Ahijah's prophecy concerning Jeroboam (1Ki 14:10-11).
Clarke: 1Ki 15:19 - -- There is a league between me and thee - Or, Let there be a league between me and thee; as there was between my father and thy father. There was no r...
There is a league between me and thee - Or, Let there be a league between me and thee; as there was between my father and thy father. There was no reason why Asa should have emptied his treasures at this time to procure the aid of the Syrian king; as it does not appear that there was any danger which himself could not have turned aside. He probably wished to destroy the kingdom of Israel; and to effect this purpose, even robbed the house of the Lord.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:20 - -- Ijon, and Dan, etc. - He appears to have attacked and taken those towns which constituted the principal strength of the kingdom of Israel.
Ijon, and Dan, etc. - He appears to have attacked and taken those towns which constituted the principal strength of the kingdom of Israel.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:21 - -- Dwelt in Tirzah - This seems to have been the royal city; see 1Ki 15:33, and 1Ki 14:17; and in this Baasha was probably obliged to shut himself up.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:22 - -- None was exempted - Every man was obliged to go and help to dismantle the fortress at Ramah which Baasha had built. This was a general levee en mass...
None was exempted - Every man was obliged to go and help to dismantle the fortress at Ramah which Baasha had built. This was a general levee en masse of the people: every one was obliged to lend a helping hand, as the state was then supposed to be in danger, and all exemptions necessarily ceased. This is a maxim of civil policy, Ubi adversus hostem muniendi sent limites, omnis immunitas cessat : "Where the boundaries are to be fortified against an enemy, then all exemptions cease.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:23 - -- And the cities which he built - Such as Geba and Mizpah, which he built out of the spoils of Ramah
And the cities which he built - Such as Geba and Mizpah, which he built out of the spoils of Ramah

Clarke: 1Ki 15:23 - -- He was diseased in his feet - Probably he had a strong rheumatic affection, or the gout. This took place in the thirty-ninth year of his reign, thre...

Clarke: 1Ki 15:24 - -- Asa slept with his fathers - Of his splendid and costly funeral we read 1Ch 16:14.
Asa slept with his fathers - Of his splendid and costly funeral we read 1Ch 16:14.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:25 - -- Nadab - began to reign over Israel - He began his reign in the second year of the reign of Asa, and reigned two years.
Nadab - began to reign over Israel - He began his reign in the second year of the reign of Asa, and reigned two years.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:27 - -- Smote him at Gabbethon - This was a city in the tribe of Dan, and generally in the possession of the Philistines.
Smote him at Gabbethon - This was a city in the tribe of Dan, and generally in the possession of the Philistines.

Clarke: 1Ki 15:29 - -- He smote all the house of Jeroboam - This was according to Ahijah’ s prophetic declaration; see 1Ki 14:10, 1Ki 14:14. Thus God made use of one ...

Clarke: 1Ki 15:34 - -- Walked in the way of Jeroboam - The entail of iniquity cannot be cut off but by a thorough conversion of the soul to God; and of this, these bad kin...
Walked in the way of Jeroboam - The entail of iniquity cannot be cut off but by a thorough conversion of the soul to God; and of this, these bad kings seem to have had no adequate notion. The wicked followed the steps of the wicked, and became still more wicked; sin gathers strength by exercise and age.
Defender -> 1Ki 15:29
Defender: 1Ki 15:29 - -- This utter destruction of Jeroboam and all his family (with the one exception of the child who had died before reaching an age of conscious sin - 1Ki ...
This utter destruction of Jeroboam and all his family (with the one exception of the child who had died before reaching an age of conscious sin - 1Ki 14:13) had been foretold by the prophet Ahijah (1Ki 14:10-14), the very same prophet who had earlier called Jeroboam to be king over Israel (1Ki 11:29-39)."
TSK: 1Ki 15:19 - -- There is a league : 2Ch 19:2; Isa 31:1
break thy league : 2Sa 21:2; 2Ch 16:3; Eze 17:13-16; Rom 1:31, Rom 3:8
depart : Heb. go up

TSK: 1Ki 15:20 - -- Ijon : Probably the same as Hazar-enan, a frontier town to Damascus (Eze 48:1); and perhaps the Inna of Coele-Syria, long. 68 degrees and a half, lat....

TSK: 1Ki 15:22 - -- made a proclamation : 2Ch 16:6
exempted : Heb. free
Geba : Jos 18:24, Gaba, Jos 21:17
Mizpah : Jos 18:26; 1Sa 7:5, Mizpeh, Jer 40:6, Jer 40:10

TSK: 1Ki 15:23 - -- rest of all : 1Ki 15:7, 1Ki 15:8, 1Ki 14:29-31
in the time : 2Ch 16:12-14; Psa 90:10
rest of all : 1Ki 15:7, 1Ki 15:8, 1Ki 14:29-31
in the time : 2Ch 16:12-14; Psa 90:10

TSK: 1Ki 15:24 - -- am 3090, bc 914
was buried : Of his splendid and costly funeral we read in 2Ch 16:14.
Jehoshaphat : 1Ki 22:41-43; 2Ch 17:1-9; Mat 1:8, Josaphat
am 3090, bc 914
was buried : Of his splendid and costly funeral we read in 2Ch 16:14.
Jehoshaphat : 1Ki 22:41-43; 2Ch 17:1-9; Mat 1:8, Josaphat

TSK: 1Ki 15:25 - -- am 3050-3051, bc 954-953
Nadab : 1Ki 14:12, 1Ki 14:20
began to reign : Heb. reigned

TSK: 1Ki 15:26 - -- he did evil : 1Ki 16:7, 1Ki 16:25, 1Ki 16:30
walked : 1Ki 12:28-33, 1Ki 13:33, 1Ki 13:34
in his sin : 1Ki 15:30, 1Ki 15:34, 1Ki 14:16, 1Ki 16:19, 1Ki ...

TSK: 1Ki 15:27 - -- Baasha the son : 1Ki 15:16, 1Ki 15:17, 1Ki 14:14
conspired : 1Ki 16:9; 2Ki 12:20
Gibbethon : 1Ki 16:15, 1Ki 16:17; Jos 19:44, Jos 21:23

TSK: 1Ki 15:29 - -- he left not : 1Ki 14:9-16; 2Ki 9:7-10, 2Ki 9:36, 2Ki 9:37, 2Ki 10:10, 2Ki 10:11, 2Ki 10:31, 2Ki 19:25
he left not : 1Ki 14:9-16; 2Ki 9:7-10, 2Ki 9:36, 2Ki 9:37, 2Ki 10:10, 2Ki 10:11, 2Ki 10:31, 2Ki 19:25

TSK: 1Ki 15:31 - -- am 3050-3051, bc 954-953
are they not written : 1Ki 14:19, 1Ki 16:5, 1Ki 16:14, 1Ki 16:20, 1Ki 16:27

TSK: 1Ki 15:32 - -- am 3051-3074, bc 953-930
there was war : That is, there was a constant spirit of hostility kept up between the two kingdoms, and no doubt frequent ski...
am 3051-3074, bc 953-930
there was war : That is, there was a constant spirit of hostility kept up between the two kingdoms, and no doubt frequent skirmishing between the bordering parties; but there was no open war till Baasha king of Israel began to build Ramah, which was, according to 2Ch 15:19; 2Ch 16:1, in the thirty-sixth year of Asa; but according to 1Ki 16:8, 1Ki 16:9, his son was killed by Zimri in the twenty-sixth year of Asa, and consequently he could not make war upon him in the thirty-sixth year of his reign. Chronologers endeavour to reconcile this, by saying that the years should be reckoned, not from the beginning of Asa’ s reign, but from the separation of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. We must either adopt this mode of solution, or admit that there is a mistake in some of the numbers, probably in the parallel places in Chronicles, but which we have no direct means of correcting. 1Ki 15:16

collapse allCommentary -- Word/Phrase Notes (per Verse)
Barnes: 1Ki 15:19 - -- Rather, "Let there be a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father."
Rather, "Let there be a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father."

Barnes: 1Ki 15:20 - -- Ijon is probably marked by the ruins called "Tel-Dibbin,"which are situated a few miles northwest of the site of Dan, in a fertile and beautiful lit...
Ijon is probably marked by the ruins called "Tel-Dibbin,"which are situated a few miles northwest of the site of Dan, in a fertile and beautiful little plain which bears the name of "Merj’ Ayun"or "meadow of fountains."On Abel-beth-maachah, or Abel-maim ("Abel-on-the waters") and Dan, see the marginal references
For Cinneroth or Genesareth see Jos 11:2.

Barnes: 1Ki 15:22 - -- Geba, situated opposite to Michmash 1Sa 14:5, is almost certainly "Jeba,"which stands picturesquely on the top of its steep terraced hill on the ver...
Geba, situated opposite to Michmash 1Sa 14:5, is almost certainly "Jeba,"which stands picturesquely on the top of its steep terraced hill on the very edge of the "Wady Suweinit."Its position was thus exceedingly strong; and, as it lay further north than Ramah, Asa may have considered that to fortify and garrison it would be a better protection to his northern frontier than fortifying Ramah.
For Mizpah see the marginal reference From Jer 41:9 we learn that Asa, besides fortifying the place, sank a deep well there to secure his garrison from want of water if the town should be besieged.

Barnes: 1Ki 15:23 - -- The rest of all the acts of Asa - A few of these are preserved in 2Ch 15:9-15; 2Ch 16:7-12. From the whole narrative of Chronicles we gather th...
The rest of all the acts of Asa - A few of these are preserved in 2Ch 15:9-15; 2Ch 16:7-12. From the whole narrative of Chronicles we gather that the character of Asa deteriorated as he grew old, and that, while he maintained the worship of Yahweh consistently from first to last, he failed to maintain the personal faith and piety which had been so conspicuous in his early youth.
The cities which he built - Asa, during the earlier part of his reign, before any serious attack had been made upon him, had the prudence to "build fenced cities in Judah,"with "walls and towers, gates and bars,"so strengthening himself against a possible evil day 2Ch 14:6-7.
In the time of his old age - See the marginal reference. If it has been rightly supposed that Rehoboam was a young man of 21 or 22 at his accession 1Ki 12:8, Asa’ s age at this time must have been less than 50. It may seem strange to speak of "old age"in such a case; but Solomon was regarded as "old"at about 50 (1Ki 11:4 note).

Barnes: 1Ki 15:24 - -- Asa prepared his own sepulchre in his lifetime, as has been so often done by Oriental kings; and his funeral was conducted with great magnificence 2...
Asa prepared his own sepulchre in his lifetime, as has been so often done by Oriental kings; and his funeral was conducted with great magnificence 2Ch 16:14.

Barnes: 1Ki 15:25 - -- The sacred historian now gives an account of the contemporary kings of Israel, beginning with Nadab, who ascended the throne in Asa’ s second y...
The sacred historian now gives an account of the contemporary kings of Israel, beginning with Nadab, who ascended the throne in Asa’ s second year, and concluding with Ahab, in whose fourth year Asa died. This narrative occupies him almost to the close of the first Book of Kings.
Chronology of Kingdoms | ||||
Year of the Divided Kingdom | Kings of Judah | Years of Reign | Kings of Israel | Years of Reign |
1 | Rehoboam | 17 | Jeroboam | 22 |
5 | (Invasion of Shishak) | |||
18 | Abijam | 3 | ||
20 | Asa | 41 | ||
22 | Nadab | 2 | ||
23 | Baasha | 21 | ||
31 | (Invasion of Zerah) | |||
34 | (Great Feast at Jerusalem) | |||
46 | Elah | 2 | ||
47 | Zimri Omri | 12 | ||
58 | Ahab | 22 | ||
61 | (Last year of Asa) | (4th year of Ahab) |

Barnes: 1Ki 15:27 - -- Baasha ... of the house of Issachar - It is curious to find Issachar furnishing a king. Tola, its one very undistinguished Judge Jdg 10:1, on o...
Baasha ... of the house of Issachar - It is curious to find Issachar furnishing a king. Tola, its one very undistinguished Judge Jdg 10:1, on obtaining office had at once settled himself in the territory of Ephraim. The tribe was as little famous as any that could be named. The "ass crouching between two burthens"was a true symbol of the patient, plodding cultivators of the plain of Esdraelon Gen 49:14-15. Baasha probably owed his rise neither to his tribe nor to his social position, but simply to his audacity, and his known valor and skill as a soldier 1Ki 16:2.

Barnes: 1Ki 15:32 - -- An exact repetition of 1Ki 15:16. From the book before him 1Ki 15:31 the writer extracts a passage which happens to correspond exactly with one whic...
An exact repetition of 1Ki 15:16. From the book before him 1Ki 15:31 the writer extracts a passage which happens to correspond exactly with one which he has already extracted from the "Book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah."He does not object to repeating himself (compare 1Ki 14:21, 1Ki 14:31; 1Ki 14:30; 1Ki 15:6; 2Ki 17:6; 2Ki 18:11).
Poole: 1Ki 15:19 - -- There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father whereby it appears, that albeit he was an adversary to Israel all Solomon...
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father whereby it appears, that albeit he was an adversary to Israel all Solomon’ s days, 1Ki 11:25 , yet after the division of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah he was in league with both of them; either because his designs lay upon the enlargement of his empire other ways; or rather, because he thought it his wisdom and interest to leave them to themselves, to undo one another by their intestine wars, and so to prepare the way to his conquest of both; whereas his invading of either of them might have made up the breach, and forced them to unite against their common enemy. And therefore as soon as he was free from this fear, and one of them needed and earnestly desired his help against the other, he gladly embraced the opportunity.
That he may depart from me that being called to defend himself, he may be forced to depart from my territories.

Poole: 1Ki 15:20 - -- The northern parts of Baasha’ s kingdom, which were nearest to his own kingdom of Damascus, and most remote from those parts where Baasha was n...
The northern parts of Baasha’ s kingdom, which were nearest to his own kingdom of Damascus, and most remote from those parts where Baasha was now employed, which were in the most southern parts of his dominions.

Poole: 1Ki 15:21 - -- Now the royal city of Israel. See 1Ki 14:17 . There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king sh...
Now the royal city of Israel. See 1Ki 14:17 . There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second and worse invasion. So Asa met with success in his ungodly course, as on the other side good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good cause and course. So there is no judging of causes by events.

Poole: 1Ki 15:22 - -- None was exempted all sorts of persons were obliged to come, except those who were disenabled by age, or infirmity, or absence, or by the public serv...
None was exempted all sorts of persons were obliged to come, except those who were disenabled by age, or infirmity, or absence, or by the public service of the king and kingdom in other places.
Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah i.e. repaired and strengthened them, for they were built before. See Jer 41:9 .
Quest. Why did he not rather perfect the fortifications of Ramah which Baasha had begun?
Answ Because Baasha might have returned and recovered it afterwards; and he thought it most convenient that there should be no city nor fort in that place.

Poole: 1Ki 15:23 - -- Nevertheless notwithstanding the great things which he had done, and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed, he felt the effects of human infirmit...
Nevertheless notwithstanding the great things which he had done, and the glory and prosperity which he enjoyed, he felt the effects of human infirmity, and of his own sins; of which see 2Ch 16:12,13 .

i.e. In the worship of the calves which his father had made.

Poole: 1Ki 15:27 - -- Of the house of Issachar i.e. of the tribe, which is oft called a house, as Jud 10:9 Psa 135:20 Hos 1:7 . Which belonged to the Philistines; who, tak...
Of the house of Issachar i.e. of the tribe, which is oft called a house, as Jud 10:9 Psa 135:20 Hos 1:7 . Which belonged to the Philistines; who, taking advantage of the division between Israel and Judah, had retaken this town, which belonged to the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:44 , and belonged to the Levites, Jos 21:23 ; upon whose departure to Judah, 2Ch 11:14 , the kings of Israel seized their towns and lands to their own use, as was noted before; which made them so much concerned for this town, to besiege it both now and many years after this time, 1Ki 16:15 .

Poole: 1Ki 15:28 - -- In the third year of Asa: how this agrees with 2Ch 16:1 , see in the notes there.
Did Baasha slay him which he did, not to fulfil God’ s threa...

Poole: 1Ki 15:29 - -- Any that breathed i.e. any of the males of that family. See Deu 20:16 Jos 10:40 . According unto the saying of the Lord: so God overruled Baasha̵...

Poole: 1Ki 15:30 - -- Which he made Israel sin so that same wicked policy which he used to establish the kingdom in his family proved his and their ruin; which is very fre...
Which he made Israel sin so that same wicked policy which he used to establish the kingdom in his family proved his and their ruin; which is very frequently the event of ungodly counsels.
Haydock: 1Ki 15:19 - -- League. The infidel is ready to take part with the best bidder. (Haydock) ---
Benadad gains a double reward, as he plunders the conquered. (Menoc...
League. The infidel is ready to take part with the best bidder. (Haydock) ---
Benadad gains a double reward, as he plunders the conquered. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 15:20 - -- Ahion, or Ain, remote in the north, whence Theglathphalasar took away captives, (4 Kings xv. 29.) is perhaps the Enan of Ezechiel xlviii. 1., and N...
Ahion, or Ain, remote in the north, whence Theglathphalasar took away captives, (4 Kings xv. 29.) is perhaps the Enan of Ezechiel xlviii. 1., and Numbers xxxiv. 9. ---
Maacha. In Paralipomenon, Abel-maim, "Abela of the waters," 2 Kings xx. 14. ---
Ceneroth, near the sea of Tiberias, Josue xi. 2. Benadad kept possession of some of these places, and even built streets in Samaria, chap. xx. 34.

Haydock: 1Ki 15:21 - -- Returned. So the Septuagint. Hebrew, "dwelt." (Calmet) ---
He returned to protect his own dominions, (Menochius) and shut himself up in his capit...
Returned. So the Septuagint. Hebrew, "dwelt." (Calmet) ---
He returned to protect his own dominions, (Menochius) and shut himself up in his capital. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 15:22 - -- Excused. "When the country is to be defended, all exemptions cease." (Leg. ult.) (Calmet) ---
Septuagint seem to preserve the terms of the origin...
Excused. "When the country is to be defended, all exemptions cease." (Leg. ult.) (Calmet) ---
Septuagint seem to preserve the terms of the original untranslated, "Asa called all....to Annacim." Hebrew en naki, (Haydock) means, "no one exempt." (Calmet) ---
Rama belonged to the enemy; and, as it appears from this passage, was in the vicinity of Maspha. (Haydock) ---
Gabaa, the city of Saul, (Menochius) adding fresh fortifications, as this and Maspha were frontier towns, against the inroads of Israel. (Haydock)

Haydock: 1Ki 15:23 - -- Strength. Septuagint, "dynasty," or power, whether of his dominions or of his person. (Calmet) ---
Feet, with the gout, (Menochius) three years b...
Strength. Septuagint, "dynasty," or power, whether of his dominions or of his person. (Calmet) ---
Feet, with the gout, (Menochius) three years before his death. He did not confide in the Lord sufficiently, 2 Paralipomenon xvi. 12. His body was embalmed or burnt, unless aromatic spices evaporated with it was laid on a bed of state, before it was consigned to the tomb, which Asa had prepared for himself in the city of David, 2 Paralipomenon xvi. 14.

Haydock: 1Ki 15:25 - -- Two years, incomplete; since he commenced his reign in the second, and died in the third year of Asa, ver. 28. (Calmet) ---
Petau only allows him, ...
Two years, incomplete; since he commenced his reign in the second, and died in the third year of Asa, ver. 28. (Calmet) ---
Petau only allows him, "a few months;" and supposes, that he had been associated on the throne with Jeroboam. But this is unnecessary. (Houbigant) ---
Nadab was the first king of Israel, who fell a pray to the fury of his subjects. (Salien, the year before Christ 971.)

Haydock: 1Ki 15:27 - -- Gebbethon, of the tribe of Dan, occupied by the Philistines. It was often attacked, chap. xvi. 15. (Calmet) ---
The occasion of this war is not kn...
Gebbethon, of the tribe of Dan, occupied by the Philistines. It was often attacked, chap. xvi. 15. (Calmet) ---
The occasion of this war is not known. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 15:29 - -- Jeroboam. The author of schism is punished in his posterity. (Worthington) ---
The body of Nadab was left unburied, chap. xiv. 11. (Menochius)
Jeroboam. The author of schism is punished in his posterity. (Worthington) ---
The body of Nadab was left unburied, chap. xiv. 11. (Menochius)
Gill: 1Ki 15:19 - -- There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father,.... For though Hezion, if he is the same with Rezon, was an adversary to ...
There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father,.... For though Hezion, if he is the same with Rezon, was an adversary to Israel in the days of Solomon, 1Ki 11:25, yet it seems his son was not, but was a confederate with the kings of Israel and Judah:
behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; taken out of the treasury of the temple and his own treasury:
come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me; it was sinful in him to take the money out of the temple, to which it was dedicated; it was more so to make use of it to bribe an Heathen to break his covenant and alliance with another, in order to serve him; in which he betrayed great distrust of the Lord, and of his power to help him; which was the more aggravated, when he had had such a wonderful appearance of God for him against the Ethiopians, see 2Ch 16:7.

Gill: 1Ki 15:20 - -- So Benhadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel,.... He broke off his alliance with ...
So Benhadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel,.... He broke off his alliance with the king of Israel; and as he had a standing army, with proper officers, he sent them directly to take the cities of Israel:
and he smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali; places which lay on the northern part of Israel, the nearest to Syria. Ijon some place in the tribe of Naphtali, others in Asher; it seems to be on the extreme border of the land northward, as Dan also was; hence the phrase from Dan to Beersheba, i.e. from north to south. Abelbethmaachah is the same with Abelmaim, 2Ch 16:4 which perhaps is the same with that Abela, placed by Jerome x between Damascus and Paneas, supposed to be the Enhydra of Pliny y. Cinneroth is the same with Gennesaret, a fruitful country in Galilee, from which is a sea or lake of that name, mentioned in the New Testament, and was in the tribe of Naphtali, the land of which was seized upon at this time.

Gill: 1Ki 15:21 - -- And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof,.... What was doing in the northern part of his kingdom:
that he left off building of Ramah; which w...
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof,.... What was doing in the northern part of his kingdom:
that he left off building of Ramah; which was the thing designed to be answered by this diversion:
and dwelt in Tirzah; in the tribe of Manasseh, nearer at hand, to observe and stop the motions of the Syrian king.

Gill: 1Ki 15:22 - -- 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...
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 fortified the place; these; the men of Judah, whom Asa summoned, carried off:
and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah; which were both in the tribe of Benjamin, and which he fortified, Jos 18:24.

Gill: 1Ki 15:23 - -- The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chroni...
The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?.... Some of which are to be met with in the canonical book of that name, 2Ch 14:1, and others in the annals of the kings, out of which the Scripture account was taken:
nevertheless, in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet; seized with the gout, as the Jews say a, and which was two years before his death, see 2Ch 16:12.

Gill: 1Ki 15:24 - -- And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father,.... In a sepulchre there he himself had made, and in ...
And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father,.... In a sepulchre there he himself had made, and in great pomp and solemnity, being laid on a bed filled with sweet odours and spices, prepared according to art, and which were burned for him, 2Ch 16:14,
and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead; a very pious and worthy prince.

Gill: 1Ki 15:25 - -- And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah,.... Before Baasha did:
and reigned over Israel tw...
And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah,.... Before Baasha did:
and reigned over Israel two years, not two whole years; for he began in the second of Asa, and in the third of that king's reign Baasha slew him, and reigned in his stead, 1Ki 15:28.

Gill: 1Ki 15:26 - -- And he did evil in the sight of the Lord,.... Committed idolatry, than which nothing is a greater evil in his sight:
and walked in the way of his f...
And he did evil in the sight of the Lord,.... Committed idolatry, than which nothing is a greater evil in his sight:
and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin: in making and worshipping of golden calves.

Gill: 1Ki 15:27 - -- And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar,.... A man of that tribe; but who he was, or his father, is nowhere else said, very probably an...
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar,.... A man of that tribe; but who he was, or his father, is nowhere else said, very probably an officer in Nadab's army:
conspired against him; laid a scheme to take away his life, and seize the kingdom:
and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon; a city in the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:44.
which belongeth to the Philistines; it was a city given to the Levites, Jos 21:23 and they being driven from it by Jeroboam, the Philistines seized on it, or had heretofore made a conquest of it; and Nadab was desirous of getting it out of their hands, and therefore besieged it, as follows:
for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon; and while he was besieging it, Baasha took the opportunity to slay him, where his carcass lay exposed to dogs, or fowls of the air, and had no burial, as Ahijah predicted, 1Ki 14:11.

Gill: 1Ki 15:28 - -- Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. Which seems to be his only or chief view in slaying him, to...
Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. Which seems to be his only or chief view in slaying him, to get possession of his kingdom.

Gill: 1Ki 15:29 - -- And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam,.... That he might have no rival, or any that could pretend any title to...
And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam,.... That he might have no rival, or any that could pretend any title to the crown:
he left not Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite; not that his intention in destroying Jeroboam's family was to fulfil that prophecy, but so it was eventually; see 1Ki 14:10.

Gill: 1Ki 15:30 - -- Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel. Not th...
Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel. Not that Baasha destroyed the family of Jeroboam because of his sins, which did so much mischief to Israel, and were so provoking to the Lord, from any dislike or hatred of them, for he walked in the same, 1Ki 15:34, but the Lord threatened this by his prophet, and suffered it to be done because of his abominations.

Gill: 1Ki 15:31 - -- Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did,.... In his short reign, which yet were more than here related:
are they not written in the ...
Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did,.... In his short reign, which yet were more than here related:
are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? in which those of his father Jeroboam were written, 1Ki 14:19.

Gill: 1Ki 15:32 - -- And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. For being a wicked man, and an idolater, Asa had no respect for him, though he...
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. For being a wicked man, and an idolater, Asa had no respect for him, though he had slain the family of Jeroboam; nor had Baasha any regard to Judah, nor to the worship of God at Jerusalem, so that there was no good understanding between them, but frequent acts of hostility, see 1Ki 15:16.

Gill: 1Ki 15:33 - -- In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah,.... Which is repeated, partly to observe tha...
In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah,.... Which is repeated, partly to observe that the whole kingdom submitted to him, though an usurper and murderer, and the place where he kept his court, as also the time of his reign, as follows:
twenty four years; which were as long as both Jeroboam and his son reigned.

Gill: 1Ki 15:34 - -- And he did evil in the sight of the Lord,.... As Nadab did, whom he slew:
and walked in the way of Jeroboam; whose family he destroyed:
and in h...
And he did evil in the sight of the Lord,.... As Nadab did, whom he slew:
and walked in the way of Jeroboam; whose family he destroyed:
and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin; in worshipping the golden calves; so that it was not out of dislike to idolatry, but out of malice and ambition, that he slew the family of Jeroboam.

expand allCommentary -- Verse Notes / Footnotes






NET Notes: 1Ki 15:26 Heb “and he walked in the way of his father and in his sin which he made Israel sin.”

NET Notes: 1Ki 15:27 Heb “against him”; the referent (Nadab) has been specified in the translation for clarity.


NET Notes: 1Ki 15:30 Heb “because of Jeroboam which he committed and which he made Israel commit, by his provocation by which he made the Lord God of Israel angry....

NET Notes: 1Ki 15:31 Heb “As for the rest of the events of Nadab, and all which he did, are they not written on the scroll of the events of the days of the kings of ...

NET Notes: 1Ki 15:34 Heb “and he walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin which he made Israel sin.”
Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:19 [There is] a league between me and thee, [and] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and ...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chro...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his ( i ) father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, [that] he ( k ) smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroy...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his ( l ) provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel t...

Geneva Bible: 1Ki 15:33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in ( m ) Tirzah, twenty and four years.
( m ) Which wa...

expand allCommentary -- Verse Range Notes
TSK Synopsis -> 1Ki 15:1-34
TSK Synopsis: 1Ki 15:1-34 - --1 Abijam's wicked reign.7 Asa succeeds him.9 Asa's good reign.16 The war between Baasha and him causes him to make a league with Bed-hadad.23 Jehoshap...
MHCC -> 1Ki 15:9-24; 1Ki 15:25-34
MHCC: 1Ki 15:9-24 - --Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. That is right indeed which is so in God's eyes. Asa's times were times of reformation. He removed that...

MHCC: 1Ki 15:25-34 - --During the single reign of Asa in Judah, the government of Israel was in six or seven different hands. Observe the ruin of the family of Jeroboam; no ...
Matthew Henry -> 1Ki 15:9-24; 1Ki 15:25-34
Matthew Henry: 1Ki 15:9-24 - -- We have here a short account of the reign of Asa; we shall find a more copious history of it 2Ch 14:1-15, 15, and 2Ch 16:1-14. Here is, I. The lengt...

Matthew Henry: 1Ki 15:25-34 - -- We are now to take a view of the miserable state of Israel, while the kingdom of Judah was happy under Asa's good government. It was threatened that...
Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ki 15:9-24 - --
Reign of Asa (cf., 2 Chron 14-16). - As Asa ascended the throne in the twentieth year of the reign of Jeroboam, his father Abijam, who began to reig...

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ki 15:25-32 - --
The Reign of Nadab lasted not quite two years, as he ascended the throne in the second year of Asa, and was slain in his third year.
1Ki 15:26-31
...

Keil-Delitzsch: 1Ki 15:33-34 - --
The Reign of Baasha is described very briefly according to its duration (two years) and its spirit, namely, the attitude of Baasha towards the Lord ...
Constable: 1Ki 15:9-24 - --5. Asa's good reign in Judah 15:9-24
Asa was the first of eight kings of Judah whom the writer o...

Constable: 1Ki 15:16-22 - --Asa's victory over Israel 15:16-22
Antagonism continued between Israel and Judah in Asa'...

Constable: 1Ki 15:23-24 - --Asa's death 15:23-24
Asa experienced some personal discipline for his trust in the flesh...

Constable: 1Ki 15:25-32 - --6. Nadab's evil reign in Israel 15:25-32
Nadab ruled Israel from 910-909 B.C. Evidently Baasha a...
