1 Kings 15:16
New International Version
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns.

New Living Translation
There was constant war between King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel.

English Standard Version
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Berean Standard Bible
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

King James Bible
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

New King James Version
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

New American Standard Bible
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

NASB 1995
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

NASB 1977
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Legacy Standard Bible
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Amplified Bible
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Christian Standard Bible
There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel throughout their reigns.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their reigns.

American Standard Version
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Contemporary English Version
Asa was always at war with King Baasha of Israel.

English Revised Version
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel as long as they lived.

Good News Translation
King Asa of Judah and King Baasha of Israel were constantly at war with each other as long as they were in power.

International Standard Version
A state of continual military unrest existed between Asa and King Baasha of Israel throughout their lifetimes.

Majority Standard Bible
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

NET Bible
Now Asa and King Baasha of Israel were continually at war with each other.

New Heart English Bible
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Webster's Bible Translation
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

World English Bible
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And there has been war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel [for] all their days,

Young's Literal Translation
And war hath been between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days,

Smith's Literal Translation
And war was between Asa and between Baasha, king of Israel, all their days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And there was war between Asa, and Baasa king of Israel all their days.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha, the king of Israel, during all their days.

New American Bible
There was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, all their days.

New Revised Standard Version
There was war between Asa and King Baasha of Israel all their days.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And there was battle between Asa and the house of Baasha, King of Israel, all their days.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And there was war between Asa and Baasa king of Israel all their days.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And there was war between Asa and Baasa king of Israel all their days.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
War Between Asa and Baasha
16Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days. 17Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 16:1-6
In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. / So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: / “Let there be a treaty between me and you as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” ...

1 Kings 14:30
There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days.

2 Chronicles 15:19
And there was no war until the thirty-fifth year of Asa’s reign.

1 Kings 12:21-24
And when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he mobilized the whole house of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin—180,000 chosen warriors—to fight against the house of Israel and restore the kingdom to Rehoboam son of Solomon. / But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God: / “Tell Rehoboam son of Solomon king of Judah, all the house of Judah and Benjamin, and the rest of the people ...

2 Chronicles 13:2-20
and he reigned in Jerusalem three years. His mother’s name was Micaiah daughter of Uriel; she was from Gibeah. And there was war between Abijah and Jeroboam. / Abijah went into battle with an army of 400,000 chosen men, while Jeroboam drew up in formation against him with 800,000 chosen and mighty men of valor. / Then Abijah stood on Mount Zemaraim in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! ...

1 Kings 16:8-9
In the twenty-sixth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years. / However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.

2 Chronicles 14:1-6
Then Abijah rested with his fathers and was buried in the City of David. And his son Asa reigned in his place, and in his days the land was at peace for ten years. / And Asa did what was good and right in the eyes of the LORD his God. / He removed the foreign altars and high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and chopped down the Asherah poles. ...

1 Kings 15:32
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9
At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa of Judah and told him, “Because you have relied on the king of Aram and not on the LORD your God, the army of the king of Aram has escaped from your hand. / Were not the Cushites and Libyans a vast army with many chariots and horsemen? Yet because you relied on the LORD, He delivered them into your hand. / For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.”

1 Kings 15:27-28
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. / In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha killed Nadab and reigned in his place.

2 Chronicles 13:17
Then Abijah and his people struck them with a mighty blow, and 500,000 chosen men of Israel fell slain.

1 Kings 15:20-22
And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and the whole land of Naphtali, including the region of Chinnereth. / When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. / Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.

2 Chronicles 16:10
Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.

1 Kings 15:33-34
In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years. / And Baasha did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of Jeroboam and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit.

2 Chronicles 14:9-15
Then Zerah the Cushite came against them with an army of 1,000,000 men and 300 chariots, and they advanced as far as Mareshah. / So Asa marched out against him and lined up in battle formation in the Valley of Zephathah near Mareshah. / Then Asa cried out to the LORD his God: “O LORD, there is no one besides You to help the powerless against the mighty. Help us, O LORD our God, for we rely on You, and in Your name we have come against this multitude. O LORD, You are our God. Do not let a mere mortal prevail against You.” ...


Treasury of Scripture

And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.

1 Kings 15:6,7,32
And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life…

1 Kings 14:30
And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.

2 Chronicles 16:1
In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

Jump to Previous
Asa Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Israel Reigns Throughout War
Jump to Next
Asa Baasa Baasha Ba'asha Israel Reigns Throughout War
1 Kings 15
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 Ben-Hadad
23. Jehoshaphat succeeds Asa
25. Nadab's wicked reign
27. Baasha conspiring against him, executes Ahijah's prophecy
31. Nadab's acts and death
33. Baasha's wicked reign














Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel
This phrase introduces the ongoing conflict between Asa, the king of Judah, and Baasha, the king of Israel. Asa was the third king of Judah and reigned from approximately 911 to 870 BC. Baasha was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from about 909 to 886 BC. The division of the united monarchy into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah occurred after the reign of Solomon, leading to frequent hostilities between the two kingdoms. This conflict reflects the broader theme of division and strife that characterized the period of the divided monarchy. The animosity between the two kingdoms was not only political but also religious, as Israel often strayed from the worship of Yahweh, while Judah, under Asa, sought to maintain religious reforms.

throughout their days.
The phrase "throughout their days" indicates that the conflict between Asa and Baasha was a persistent issue during their respective reigns. This ongoing war suggests a period of instability and tension that would have affected the daily lives of the people in both kingdoms. The continuous nature of the conflict highlights the deep-seated division and rivalry that existed between Israel and Judah. Historically, this period was marked by frequent skirmishes and battles, as both kings sought to assert their dominance and control over strategic territories. The enduring conflict also underscores the failure of both kingdoms to achieve lasting peace and unity, a theme that resonates throughout the narrative of the divided monarchy. This persistent warfare can be seen as a consequence of the spiritual and moral decline that followed the division of the kingdom, as prophesied in earlier scriptures.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Asa
Asa was the king of Judah, known for his religious reforms and efforts to rid Judah of idolatry. He is often remembered for his commitment to God, although his reign was not without conflict.

2. Baasha
Baasha was the king of Israel who came to power by overthrowing the previous king, Nadab. His reign was marked by conflict with Judah and a continuation of idolatrous practices.

3. Judah
The southern kingdom of the divided Israelite nation, ruled by Asa during this period. Judah was often in conflict with the northern kingdom, Israel.

4. Israel
The northern kingdom of the divided Israelite nation, ruled by Baasha. The kingdom was characterized by political instability and idolatry during this time.

5. War
The ongoing conflict between Asa and Baasha, representing the broader struggle between the kingdoms of Judah and Israel.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Division
The division between Israel and Judah led to ongoing conflict and weakened both kingdoms. Division among God's people can lead to strife and hinder the fulfillment of God's purposes.

The Importance of Faithfulness
Asa's initial faithfulness to God brought peace and prosperity to Judah. Our commitment to God should be unwavering, even in times of conflict.

The Danger of Compromise
Asa's later reliance on foreign alliances rather than God serves as a warning against compromising our faith for political or personal gain.

The Role of Leadership
Both Asa and Baasha's reigns demonstrate the significant impact of leadership on a nation's spiritual and political health. Godly leadership is crucial for guiding people in righteousness.(16) There was war . . .--According to 1Kings 15:33, Baasha reigned from the third to the twenty-seventh year of Asa. The phrase, here repeated from 1Kings 14:30, 1Kings 15:7, appears simply to mean that the old hostile relations remained, combined with, perhaps, some border war; for it is expressly said in 2Chronicles 14:1, that Asa's first ten years were peaceful, and the open war with Israel did not break out till after the victory over Zerah, in his fifteenth year.

Verse 16. - And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days [This statement must be compared with 2 Chronicles 14:1, 6, from which we gather that during the first ten years of Asa's reign there cannot have been war, properly so called, between them. Indeed, it would seem from 2 Chronicles 15:19; 2 Chronicles 16:1, that it was not until the 36th year of Asa's reign that it first broke out. But these numbers have clearly not escaped corruption (see note there), as at the date last mentioned Baasha must have been dead (cf. ver. 33 below). It is probable that war is to be taken here, as elsewhere (1 Kings 14:30), in the sense of hostility, and in any case we have here another instance of the hyperbolical habit of the Eastern mind.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now there was
הָיְתָ֜ה (hā·yə·ṯāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

war
וּמִלְחָמָ֨ה (ū·mil·ḥā·māh)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4421: A battle, war

between
בֵּ֣ין (bên)
Preposition
Strong's 996: An interval, space between

Asa
אָסָ֗א (’ā·sā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 609: Asa -- perhaps 'healer', an Israelite name

and Baasha
בַּעְשָׁ֥א (ba‘·šā)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1201: Baasha -- a king of Israel

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

throughout
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

their days.
יְמֵיהֶֽם׃ (yə·mê·hem)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 3117: A day


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OT History: 1 Kings 15:16 There was war between Asa and Baasha (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 15:15
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