As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone that breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word that the LORD had spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, As soon as Baasha became kingThis phrase marks a pivotal moment in the history of Israel. Baasha's rise to power was not merely a political shift but a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The Hebrew root for "became king" (מָלַךְ, malak) implies a divinely sanctioned authority, suggesting that Baasha's ascension was part of God's sovereign plan. Historically, this transition reflects the turbulent nature of Israel's monarchy, where divine will often intersected with human ambition. he struck down the entire house of Jeroboam The phrase "struck down" (הִכָּה, hikah) conveys a sense of decisive and violent action. This was not a mere political purge but a complete eradication of Jeroboam's lineage. The "house of Jeroboam" refers to his dynasty, which had been established in defiance of God's covenant with David. This act of judgment underscores the seriousness with which God views idolatry and disobedience, as Jeroboam had led Israel into sin. He did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed The expression "anyone who breathed" (נְשָׁמָה, neshamah) is a Hebrew idiom for total annihilation. This phrase emphasizes the completeness of Baasha's actions, leaving no survivors. It serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. In the broader biblical narrative, this eradication is a sobering illustration of divine justice, where God's patience with sin eventually gives way to judgment. but destroyed them all The word "destroyed" (שָׁמַד, shamad) indicates a thorough and intentional obliteration. This was not an act of personal vengeance by Baasha but a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The historical context reveals that such actions were common in ancient Near Eastern politics, where new dynasties often eliminated potential rivals. However, in this biblical account, the destruction is portrayed as an act of divine retribution rather than mere political expediency. according to the word of the LORD This phrase highlights the prophetic nature of the events. The "word of the LORD" (דְּבַר־יְהוָה, devar-YHWH) signifies a divine decree that cannot be thwarted. It underscores the reliability and authority of God's promises and warnings. In the context of 1 Kings, it serves as a reminder that God's word, delivered through His prophets, is both a source of hope and a warning of judgment. spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite Ahijah the Shilonite was a prophet who had previously foretold the downfall of Jeroboam's house (1 Kings 14:10-14). The term "servant" (עֶבֶד, eved) denotes a position of honor and obedience to God. Ahijah's role as a prophet underscores the importance of prophetic voices in guiding and correcting the nation of Israel. His prophecy, now fulfilled, serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in executing His plans and purposes. Persons / Places / Events 1. BaashaThe king of Israel who came to power by overthrowing Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. He fulfilled the prophecy against Jeroboam's house. 2. JeroboamThe first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division. His house was prophesied to be destroyed due to his sins. 3. Ahijah the ShiloniteA prophet who delivered God's judgment against Jeroboam's house, foretelling its destruction. 4. House of JeroboamRefers to the dynasty or family line of Jeroboam, which was completely annihilated by Baasha. 5. IsraelThe northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, where these events took place. Teaching Points The Certainty of God's WordGod's prophecies, as spoken through His prophets, are certain and will come to pass. This should encourage believers to trust in God's promises and warnings. Consequences of DisobedienceJeroboam's house serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Believers are called to remain faithful and obedient to God's commands. God's Sovereignty in LeadershipGod raises and removes leaders according to His divine plan. This should remind us to pray for our leaders and trust in God's ultimate control over nations. The Role of ProphetsProphets in the Bible were God's messengers, delivering His word to the people. Today, we have the complete Word of God in the Bible, which guides and instructs us. Legacy and InfluenceThe actions of leaders have lasting impacts on their families and nations. We should strive to leave a legacy of faithfulness and righteousness. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the fulfillment of Ahijah's prophecy against Jeroboam's house demonstrate the reliability of God's Word? 2. In what ways can we see the consequences of disobedience to God in our own lives or in the world today? 3. How can we apply the lesson of God's sovereignty over leadership to our current political and social context? 4. What role does the Bible play in guiding us today, similar to how prophets guided the people of Israel? 5. How can we ensure that our personal legacy is one of faithfulness and obedience to God? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 14:10-14This passage contains the prophecy given by Ahijah against Jeroboam's house, which Baasha fulfills. 1 Kings 16:1-4This passage shows the continuation of God's judgment on the kings of Israel, as Baasha himself later receives a similar prophecy of destruction. Deuteronomy 28:15-20These verses outline the curses for disobedience to God's commandments, which are exemplified in the downfall of Jeroboam's house. 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, Alive, Anyone, Breathed, Breathing, Death, Destroyed, Destroying, Destruction, Didn't, Family, Household, Jeroboam, Jerobo'am, Jeroboam's, Killed, Leave, None, Offspring, Pass, Persons, Reigned, Reigning, Saying, Servant, Shilonite, Shi'lonite, Smitten, Smote, Spake, Spoke, Straight, Struck, TillDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 15:29 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment 1690 word of God 1 Kings 15:1-31 5366 king 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 15:29 NIV1 Kings 15:29 NLT1 Kings 15:29 ESV1 Kings 15:29 NASB1 Kings 15:29 KJV
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