Topical Encyclopedia
Baasha, son of Ahijah, was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is chronicled in the First Book of Kings, where he is depicted as a ruler who came to power through conspiracy and violence. Baasha's account is a testament to the turbulent and often violent history of the divided monarchy in ancient Israel.
Ascension to the ThroneBaasha's rise to power was marked by the assassination of King Nadab, the son of Jeroboam I. According to
1 Kings 15:27 , "Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and he struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city." This act of treachery occurred during a military campaign, highlighting the instability and internal strife within the kingdom.
Reign and PoliciesBaasha reigned over Israel for 24 years, from approximately 909 to 886 BC. His rule is characterized by a continuation of the idolatrous practices initiated by Jeroboam I. Baasha's reign is described in
1 Kings 15:34 : "And he 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." This indicates that Baasha perpetuated the worship of golden calves and other forms of idolatry, which were abominations in the eyes of the LORD.
Baasha's reign was also marked by conflict with the southern kingdom of Judah. He fortified the city of Ramah to prevent movement between the two kingdoms, as noted in
1 Kings 15:17 : "And 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." This strategic move was intended to isolate Judah and assert Israel's dominance, but it ultimately led to further hostilities.
Prophetic CondemnationThe prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, delivered a message of condemnation to Baasha, as recorded in
1 Kings 16:1-4 . The LORD declared through Jehu that Baasha's house would suffer the same fate as the house of Jeroboam, due to his evil deeds and idolatry. This prophecy foretold the destruction of Baasha's dynasty, emphasizing the divine judgment against those who led Israel into sin.
Death and LegacyBaasha's death is briefly mentioned in
1 Kings 16:6 : "And Baasha rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and his son Elah reigned in his place." His son Elah succeeded him, but the prophecy of Jehu was soon fulfilled when Elah was assassinated by Zimri, one of his own officials, leading to the extinction of Baasha's lineage.
Baasha's reign is a somber reminder of the consequences of idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. His account serves as a cautionary tale about the perils of power obtained through violence and the inevitable divine justice that follows unrepentant sin.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Kings 15:28-16:7Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
The Record of Two Kings
... over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria ... of Israel to
anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.'-1 KINGS xvi.23 ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm
How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... for Omri's ruling had beaten Tibni, Omri reigned over all the ... years; six of these
years he reigned in the ... was no way different from those kings that reigned ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm
The Fall of the House of Ahab
... "Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel." 2 Kings ... years the child remained hidden,
while "Athaliah reigned over the land ... said, God save the king." 2 Kings 11:12 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 16 the fall of.htm
The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the hope
that they would regain ... (1) Jehovah rules not only in Israel but over all peoples ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm
The Antiquities of the Jews
... Became More Wicked Than All The Kings That Had ... CHAPTER 7. How Athaliah Reigned Over
Jerusalem For Five [Six ... An Expedition Against The People Of Israel And The ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/
The Nations of the South-East
... raiding bands never approached the frontiers of Israel. ... the days of Tiglath-pileser
the kings of Saba ... Babylonia, and the dynasty which reigned over Babylon in ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm
The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... was kept up among them; and several pious princes reigned over them. ... Then, impartial
heaven "stretched over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the ... 2 Kings 21:13 ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm
How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... and buried there, after he had reigned one year ... had already subdued two very great
kings, they returned ... prophet that his sons should reign over Israel for four ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm
Appendices
... the last king but one of the Kassite dynasty, and not rather one of the unknown
kings of the ... ISRAEL. ... 2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I reigned. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm
The Later Hebrew Histories.
... 8:4, we are told that in David's victory over Hadadezer king ... 2 Chronicles 14.i, we
read that Asa reigned in the ... In 1 Kings 15:32, we are explicitly told that ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter vi the later hebrew.htm
Resources
What can we learn from the laws that God gave for the kings of Israel? | GotQuestions.orgWho was Elisha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that God is the God of the hills and valleys (1 Kings 20:28)? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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