Topical Bible: Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Nadab

◄ Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Nadab ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Nadab, the son of Jeroboam I, was the second king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the biblical narrative found in 1 Kings 15:25-31. Nadab ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Jeroboam, who was the first king of the divided northern kingdom after the united monarchy under Solomon split into two separate entities: Israel in the north and Judah in the south.

Reign and Character

Nadab's reign was brief, lasting only two years, from approximately 910 to 909 BC. The Berean Standard Bible describes his reign in 1 Kings 15:25-26: "In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD and walked in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit."

Nadab continued the idolatrous practices initiated by his father, Jeroboam, who had established golden calves at Bethel and Dan to prevent the Israelites from worshiping in Jerusalem. This idolatry was a direct violation of the covenantal laws given to Israel, and it led the people further away from the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel.

Political Context and Downfall

During Nadab's reign, the kingdom of Israel was engaged in ongoing conflict with the Philistines. Nadab led a military campaign against the Philistine city of Gibbethon, which was a strategic location. However, his reign was cut short by a conspiracy led by Baasha, a man from the tribe of Issachar. As recorded in 1 Kings 15:27-28 : "Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and he struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city. So Baasha killed Nadab in the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah and became king in his place."

Baasha's assassination of Nadab marked the end of Jeroboam's dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy given by the prophet Ahijah that Jeroboam's house would be cut off due to his sins (1 Kings 14:10-11). Baasha not only killed Nadab but also exterminated the entire house of Jeroboam, ensuring no descendants would reclaim the throne.

Theological Implications

Nadab's reign is a testament to the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. His continuation of his father's idolatrous practices led to his downfall and the eradication of his family line. The narrative of Nadab serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of leading others into sin. His brief and tumultuous reign highlights the instability that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel, which was plagued by frequent changes in leadership and persistent idolatry.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 15:25-27,32
And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

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 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

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

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... first victories of Tiglath-pileser III.; and Hiram II., who then reigned in Tyre ...
2 Kings 20:16 ... Like as when the lion growleth, and the young lion over his prey ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... A perpetual terror reigned wherever they were accustomed to ... bezek said, Threescore
and ten kings, having their ... very spot where they had triumphed over the sons ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... And to pass over endless details (for it is not my purpose now to ... all the mysteries
of the Old Testament), [4376] five kings who previously reigned in the ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm