Topical Bible: Murder: Baasha

◄ Murder: Baasha ►

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Baasha, son of Ahijah, emerges in the biblical narrative as a significant figure in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His account is primarily recorded in the First Book of Kings, where he is depicted as a military leader who rose to power through an act of murder, which is a grave sin according to biblical law.

Baasha's ascent to the throne is marked by the violent overthrow of King Nadab, the son of Jeroboam. The account in 1 Kings 15:27-28 states: "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 king of Judah and reigned in his place."

This act of murder was not merely a political maneuver but also a fulfillment of divine judgment against the house of Jeroboam. The Lord had previously pronounced judgment on Jeroboam's lineage due to his sins and idolatry, as recorded in 1 Kings 14:10-11 : "Because of all this, I am about to bring disaster on the house of Jeroboam: I will cut off from Jeroboam every male, both slave and free, in Israel. I will burn up the house of Jeroboam as one burns up dung, until it is gone."

Baasha's reign, however, was not marked by righteousness. Despite being an instrument of divine judgment, Baasha himself fell into the same patterns of sin as his predecessors. He continued in the idolatrous practices that had plagued Israel, leading to further divine disfavor. The prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, delivered a message from the Lord to Baasha, as recorded in 1 Kings 16:2-3 : "I lifted 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 legacy is a cautionary tale of how murder, even when it serves a divine purpose, does not absolve one from the responsibility of righteous leadership. His failure to lead Israel back to the worship of Yahweh resulted in the same fate that befell the house of Jeroboam. Baasha's own lineage was eventually eradicated, fulfilling the prophetic word against him.

In the broader biblical context, Baasha's account underscores the seriousness of murder as a violation of God's commandments. The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13), is a fundamental tenet of the moral law given to Israel. Baasha's actions, while politically expedient, were ultimately judged by God as sinful, demonstrating that divine justice prevails over human schemes.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Baasha was not warned by the fate of Nadab, but followed the same courses; and his
son ... to Ahab, and that was to rebuke him for having permitted the murder of a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
... The murder of Abel was not punished solely on Cain, but also on his family ... To these
might be added the families of Achan, Eli, Saul, Jeroboam, Baasha, Ahab and ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xxix the sins of.htm

How Jehu was Anointed King, and Slew Both Joram and Ahaziah; as ...
... utterly perish, as those of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and of Baasha, had perished ...
and fenced cities, and that by so doing they might avenge the murder of Ahab ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 6 how jehu was.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... just vengeance; but, as far as Jehu is concerned, it is open murder." But yet ... clearly
seen from 1 Kings 16:7, where destruction is announced to Baasha, who had ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.htm

Appendices
... Jeroboam (22 years) 932 Nadab 910 Baasha 908 Elah 884 Zimri, for 7 days 882 ... great
king of the Hittites, his brother Khata-sir, after his murder, placed himself ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3. <. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm