1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name [was] Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
4 Nevertheless for David’s sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:
5 Because David did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any [thing] that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
6 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
7 Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
9 And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.
10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name [was] Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
11 And Asa did [that which was] right in the eyes of the LORD, as [did] David his father.
12 And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from [being] queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt [it] by the brook Kidron.
14 But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
15 And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.
16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
17 And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
18 Then Asa took all the silver and the gold [that were] left in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
19 [There is] a league between me and thee, [and] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard [thereof], that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
22 Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none [was] exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.
24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
25 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.
26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
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.
28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, [that] he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.
31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
34 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Overview of 1 Kings Chapter 15
1 Kings Chapter 15 provides a detailed account of the reigns of several kings of Judah and Israel, focusing on their actions, the faithfulness to God, and the consequences of their choices. This chapter highlights the importance of obedience to God and the impact of leadership on the nation.
Key Figures
- Abijam (Abijah) – King of Judah, son of Rehoboam.
- Asa – King of Judah, son of Abijam.
- Baasha – King of Israel, son of Ahijah.
- Nadab – King of Israel, son of Jeroboam.
Summary of Events
- Reign of Abijam (Abijah) in Judah
- Abijam reigned for three years in Jerusalem.
- His mother was Maacah, the daughter of Abishalom.
- He followed in the sinful ways of his father, Rehoboam.
- Despite his shortcomings, God allowed him to maintain a measure of stability because of David’s legacy.
- Reign of Asa in Judah
- Asa succeeded Abijam and reigned for 41 years in Jerusalem.
- He was noted for his religious reforms and efforts to eradicate idolatry.
- Asa removed male shrine prostitutes and idols from the land.
- He sought the Lord and encouraged the people to do the same.
- He fortified cities and sought alliances to protect Judah.
- Reign of Nadab in Israel
- Nadab, son of Jeroboam, reigned for two years.
- He continued the sinful practices established by his father, leading Israel away from God.
- He was ultimately overthrown by Baasha.
- Reign of Baasha in Israel
- Baasha killed Nadab and took the throne, reigning for 24 years.
- He continued the sinful practices of Jeroboam.
- God sent a prophet to Baasha, announcing judgment for his actions.
Thematic Analysis
- Legacy of David
The chapter emphasizes the importance of David’s legacy in the reigns of Abijam and Asa. God’s favor towards Asa is attributed to his commitment to following the ways of David.
- Faithfulness vs. Idolatry
The contrast between Asa’s faithfulness to God and the idolatrous practices of Abijam, Nadab, and Baasha highlights the consequences of turning away from God.
- Divine Judgment
The chapter illustrates how God judges leaders based on their actions and the spiritual condition of the nation they govern.
Conclusion
1 Kings Chapter 15 serves as a critical reflection on the leadership of Judah and Israel, showcasing the cyclical nature of faithfulness and rebellion. The chapter underscores the significance of righteous leadership and the dire consequences of idolatry, ultimately pointing to the need for a king who would lead the people back to God.
