Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Baasha

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Baasha, son of Ahijah, was a king of Israel who reigned during the divided monarchy period. His account is primarily recorded in the books of 1 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Baasha's reign is marked by his wickedness and disobedience to God, which ultimately led to his downfall and the destruction of his lineage.

Baasha came to power through treachery, assassinating Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, during a military campaign against the Philistine city of Gibbethon. This act of violence fulfilled the prophecy against the house of Jeroboam, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:29-30 : "As soon as Baasha became king, he struck down the entire house of Jeroboam; he did not leave to Jeroboam anyone who breathed, but destroyed them all according to the word of the LORD spoken through His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, because of the sins Jeroboam had committed and had caused Israel to commit, and because he had provoked the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger."

Baasha's reign lasted for 24 years, from approximately 909 to 886 BC. Despite his initial success, Baasha continued in the sinful ways of his predecessors, leading Israel into idolatry and away from the worship of Yahweh. His actions provoked the Lord's anger, and the prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, delivered a message of judgment against him. In 1 Kings 16:2-3 , the Lord declared through Jehu: "I raised you up from the dust and made you ruler over My people Israel, but you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have caused My people Israel to sin, provoking Me to anger by their sins. So I am about to consume Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat."

Baasha's wickedness not only affected his own reign but also had lasting consequences for his family. His son, Elah, succeeded him but reigned for only two years before being assassinated by Zimri, one of his own officials. This act of treachery fulfilled the prophecy against Baasha's house, as Zimri exterminated the entire family, leaving no male heir to continue the dynasty.

Baasha's life and reign serve as a cautionary tale of the consequences of wickedness and disobedience to God. His account is a reminder of the importance of faithfulness and the severe repercussions that can follow when leaders lead their people astray.

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1 Kings 15:27
And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
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Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... How, On The Destruction Of The House Of Baasha Zimri Got ... Also What He Did For The
Punishment Of The Wicked. ... Nation Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... morality of the Puritans, Nonconformists, and the small classes of virtuous citizens
of other ... The gradations of a wicked man in that evil age, from his cradle ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm