Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city. Then Baasha son of AhijahThe name "Baasha" in Hebrew means "bold" or "offensive," which may reflect his aggressive actions in this narrative. Baasha's lineage, being the son of Ahijah, is significant as it connects him to the tribe of Issachar, one of the lesser-known tribes of Israel. Issachar was known for its wisdom and understanding of the times ( 1 Chronicles 12:32), yet here we see a member of this tribe engaging in treachery, highlighting the moral decline in Israel. of the house of Issachar
The tribe of Issachar was one of the twelve tribes of Israel, traditionally associated with agricultural prosperity and wisdom. This reference to Issachar may suggest that Baasha had a strategic mind, capable of understanding the political landscape, which he used to his advantage in his conspiracy. Historically, the tribes of Israel were often in conflict, and this internal strife is a recurring theme in the narrative of the Kings. conspired against him
The act of conspiracy indicates a premeditated plan to overthrow the current king, Nadab. In Hebrew, the word for "conspired" (קָשַׁר, qashar) implies binding or tying together, suggesting that Baasha may have gathered support from others dissatisfied with Nadab's rule. This reflects the instability and frequent power struggles within the Northern Kingdom of Israel. and Baasha struck him down
The phrase "struck him down" denotes a violent overthrow, a common occurrence in the turbulent history of Israel's monarchy. This act of regicide was not uncommon in the ancient Near East, where kings often faced threats from ambitious rivals. Baasha's decisive action marks a turning point, as he seizes power through force rather than divine appointment, contrasting with the ideal of a king chosen by God. at Gibbethon
Gibbethon was a city originally allotted to the tribe of Dan (Joshua 19:44) but was under Philistine control at this time. The location is significant as it underscores the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Philistines. The fact that this event occurs at Gibbethon, a site of military engagement, highlights the constant state of warfare and the vulnerability of Israel's leadership during this period. which belonged to the Philistines
The Philistines were long-standing enemies of Israel, and their control over Gibbethon indicates the persistent threat they posed. This detail emphasizes the external pressures on Israel, which were compounded by internal strife and leadership challenges. The Philistine presence serves as a backdrop to the political instability within Israel. while Nadab and all Israel were besieging Gibbethon
Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, was engaged in a military campaign against the Philistines, reflecting the ongoing struggle for territorial control. The mention of "all Israel" suggests that this was a significant military effort, yet it was during this campaign that Baasha chose to strike, indicating a moment of vulnerability for Nadab. This scenario illustrates the precarious nature of leadership in Israel, where external threats and internal betrayal were constant challenges. Persons / Places / Events 1. BaashaSon of Ahijah, from the tribe of Issachar. He conspired against King Nadab and became king of Israel after assassinating him. 2. AhijahFather of Baasha, mentioned here to identify Baasha's lineage. 3. NadabSon of Jeroboam, king of Israel, who was besieging Gibbethon when he was assassinated by Baasha. 4. GibbethonA city of the Philistines, under siege by Nadab and the Israelite army at the time of his assassination. 5. PhilistinesA neighboring people often in conflict with Israel, controlling Gibbethon at this time. Teaching Points The Consequences of Sinful LeadershipNadab's assassination is a direct result of the sinful legacy of his father, Jeroboam. Leadership that turns away from God invites instability and judgment. The Cycle of Violence and RetributionBaasha's rise to power through conspiracy and murder highlights the destructive cycle of violence that can ensue when leaders do not follow God's ways. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentDespite human actions, God's sovereign plans are fulfilled. Baasha's actions, though sinful, were used by God to fulfill the prophecy against Jeroboam's house. The Importance of Righteous LeadershipThe account encourages believers to pray for and support leaders who seek to follow God's will, as their actions have significant consequences for the people they lead. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the assassination of Nadab by Baasha reflect the fulfillment of God's prophecy against Jeroboam's house? 2. In what ways does the cycle of violence in Israel's leadership during this period serve as a warning for contemporary leaders? 3. How can we apply the lessons from Baasha's rise to power to our understanding of God's sovereignty and human responsibility? 4. What are the dangers of following in the sinful patterns of previous generations, as seen in the leadership of Nadab and Baasha? 5. How can believers today actively support and encourage righteous leadership in their communities and nations? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 14:14This verse prophesies the downfall of Jeroboam's house, which is fulfilled through Baasha's actions. 1 Kings 16:1-4God's judgment on Baasha for following in the sinful ways of Jeroboam, showing the cycle of sin and judgment in Israel's leadership. 2 Chronicles 16:1-6Provides additional context on the political and military conflicts during Baasha's reign. People Abel, Abijah, Abijam, Abishalom, Ahijah, Aram, Asa, Baasha, Ben, Benhadad, Ben-hadad, Benjamin, Dan, David, Hadad, Hezion, Issachar, Jehoshaphat, Jeroboam, Maacah, Maachah, Nadab, Naphtali, Nebat, Rehoboam, Rezon, Sodomites, Tabrimon, Tirzah, Uriah, UrijahPlaces Abel-beth-maacah, Chinneroth, Damascus, Dan, Geba, Gibbethon, Ijon, Jerusalem, Kidron, Mizpah, Ramah, Syria, TirzahTopics Ahijah, Ahi'jah, Armies, Attacking, Baasa, Baasha, Ba'asha, Belonged, Besieging, Conspire, Conspired, Design, Family, Gibbethon, Gib'bethon, Issachar, Is'sachar, Laid, Laying, Making, Nadab, Philistine, Philistines, Plotted, Secret, Siege, Smiteth, Smote, Struck, Town, WarDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 15:1-31 5366 king 1 Kings 15:25-28 5817 conspiracies 1 Kings 15:25-31 5937 rivalry Library David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
"And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said unto David, 'The lord also hath put away thy sin; then shalt not die.'" The sin here referred to is that of David in the matter of Uriah. A strange and sad event--taken in all its circumstances and connections, it is without a parallel. But the circumstance most to be lamented, is that mentioned by the prophet, in the close of his message--"By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important SubjectsAsa
BY REV. ALFRED ROWLAND, D.D., LL.B. 1 KINGS xv. 8-24; 2 CHRON. xiv-xvi. Asa was the third king who reigned over the separated kingdoms of Judah. His father was Ahijah, of whom it is sternly said, "He walked in all the sins of his father, Rehoboam, which he had done before him." A worse bringing-up than Asa's could scarcely be imagined. As a child, and as a lad, he was grievously tempted by his father's example, and by the influence of an idolatrous court, which was crowded by flatterers and …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known Whether Christ is the Head of the Church?
Objection 1: It would seem that it does not belong to Christ as man to be Head of the Church. For the head imparts sense and motion to the members. Now spiritual sense and motion which are by grace, are not imparted to us by the Man Christ, because, as Augustine says (De Trin. i, 12; xv, 24), "not even Christ, as man, but only as God, bestows the Holy Ghost." Therefore it does not belong to Him as man to be Head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, it is not fitting for the head to have a head. But …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Proper to Christ to be Head of the Church?
Objection 1: It seems that it is not proper to Christ to be Head of the Church. For it is written (1 Kings 15:17): "When thou wast a little one in thy own eyes, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel?" Now there is but one Church in the New and the Old Testament. Therefore it seems that with equal reason any other man than Christ might be head of the Church. Objection 2: Further, Christ is called Head of the Church from His bestowing grace on the Church's members. But it belongs to others …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Obedience is the Greatest of the virtues?
Objection 1: It seems that obedience is the greatest of the virtues. For it is written (1 Kings 15:22): "Obedience is better than sacrifices." Now the offering of sacrifices belongs to religion, which is the greatest of all moral virtues, as shown above ([3173]Q[81], A[6]). Therefore obedience is the greatest of all virtues. Objection 2: Further, Gregory says (Moral. xxxv) that "obedience is the only virtue that ingrafts virtues in the soul and protects them when ingrafted." Now the cause is greater …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Died Out of Obedience?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ did not die out of obedience. For obedience is referred to a command. But we do not read that Christ was commanded to suffer. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 2: Further, a man is said to do from obedience what he does from necessity of precept. But Christ did not suffer necessarily, but voluntarily. Therefore He did not suffer out of obedience. Objection 3: Further, charity is a more excellent virtue than obedience. But we read that Christ …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Disobedience is the Most Grievous of Sins?
Objection 1: It seems that disobedience is the most grievous of sins. For it is written (1 Kings 15:23): "It is like the sin of witchcraft to rebel, and like the crime of idolatry to refuse to obey." But idolatry is the most grievous of sins, as stated above ([3182]Q[94], A[3]). Therefore disobedience is the most grievous of sins. Objection 2: Further, the sin against the Holy Ghost is one that removes the obstacles of sin, as stated above ([3183]Q[14], A[2]). Now disobedience makes a man contemn …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Predestination Can be Furthered by the Prayers of the Saints?
Objection 1: It seems that predestination cannot be furthered by the prayers of the saints. For nothing eternal can be preceded by anything temporal; and in consequence nothing temporal can help towards making something else eternal. But predestination is eternal. Therefore, since the prayers of the saints are temporal, they cannot so help as to cause anyone to become predestined. Predestination therefore is not furthered by the prayers of the saints. Objection 2: Further, as there is no need of …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Lawful for Clerics to Kill Evil-Doers?
Objection 1: It would seem lawful for clerics to kill evil-doers. For clerics especially should fulfil the precept of the Apostle (1 Cor. 4:16): "Be ye followers of me as I also am of Christ," whereby we are called upon to imitate God and His saints. Now the very God whom we worship puts evildoers to death, according to Ps. 135:10, "Who smote Egypt with their firstborn." Again Moses made the Levites slay twenty-three thousand men on account of the worship of the calf (Ex. 32), the priest Phinees …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether it is Becoming to Pray?
Objection 1: It would seem that it is unbecoming to pray. Prayer seems to be necessary in order that we may make our needs known to the person to whom we pray. But according to Mat. 6:32, "Your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things." Therefore it is not becoming to pray to God. Objection 2: Further, by prayer we bend the mind of the person to whom we pray, so that he may do what is asked of him. But God's mind is unchangeable and inflexible, according to 1 Kings 15:29, "But the Triumpher …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
'And Asa did that which was good and right in the eyes of the Lord his God; 3. For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: 4. And commanded Judah to seek the Lord God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. 5. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images: and the kingdom was quiet before him. 6. And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Whether Vengeance Should be Taken on those who have Sinned Involuntarily?
Objection 1: It seems that vengeance should be taken on those who have sinned involuntarily. For the will of one man does not follow from the will of another. Yet one man is punished for another, according to Ex. 20:5, "I am . . . God . . . jealous, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, unto the third and fourth generation." Thus for the sin of Cham, his son Chanaan was curse (Gn. 9:25) and for the sin of Giezi, his descendants were struck with leprosy (4 Kings 5). Again the blood …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 15:27 NIV1 Kings 15:27 NLT1 Kings 15:27 ESV1 Kings 15:27 NASB1 Kings 15:27 KJV
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