Topical Encyclopedia
Baasha, son of Ahijah, was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 909 to 886 BC. He hailed from the tribe of Issachar and came to power by overthrowing King Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, in a violent coup. Baasha's rise to the throne marked a significant shift in the dynastic line, as he was not of royal descent but rather a military commander who seized the opportunity to claim kingship.
Reign and ActionsBaasha's reign is chronicled in
1 Kings 15:27-16:7. His ascension to power was marked by the fulfillment of the prophecy against the house of Jeroboam, as he exterminated the entire family of Jeroboam, leaving no survivors. This act was in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken by the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite, as a judgment for Jeroboam's sins and idolatry (
1 Kings 15:29).
Baasha's rule was characterized by continued conflict with the southern kingdom of Judah. He fortified the city of Ramah to control the movement between the two kingdoms, which prompted Asa, king of Judah, to seek an alliance with Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, to counter Baasha's aggression (
1 Kings 15:16-22). This strategic move forced Baasha to abandon his fortifications at Ramah.
Religious and Moral EvaluationFrom a religious standpoint, Baasha's reign was marked by idolatry and sin, continuing in the ways of Jeroboam. The Bible records that 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" (
1 Kings 15:34). This persistent idolatry and failure to lead the people back to the worship of Yahweh drew the LORD's disfavor.
Prophetic JudgmentThe prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, delivered a message of judgment against Baasha, declaring that his house would suffer the same fate as Jeroboam's. The LORD's message through Jehu was clear: "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 with their sins" (
1 Kings 16:2). This prophecy foretold the eventual downfall of Baasha's dynasty.
Death and LegacyBaasha died and was buried in Tirzah, and his son Elah succeeded him as king (
1 Kings 16:6). However, the judgment pronounced by the prophet Jehu came to pass during the reign of Elah, as Baasha's entire household was destroyed by Zimri, one of Elah's officials, thus ending Baasha's lineage and fulfilling the divine prophecy.
Baasha's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of leading a nation away from the worship of the true God and the inevitable judgment that follows persistent disobedience and idolatry. His account is a testament to the LORD's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His prophetic word.
Library
How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa...
... How Zerah, King Of The Ethiopians, Was Beaten By Asa; And How Asa, UponBaasha's
Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The Damascens To Assist Him; And...
The Record of Two Kings
... Jeroboam's son and successor was killed byBaasha,Baasha's son and successor was
killed by Zimri, who reigned for a week, and then burned the palace and died...
The Antiquities of the Jews
... And Also How, After The Death Of JeroboamBaasha Destroyed His Son Nadab
And All The House Of Jeroboam. CHAPTER 12. How Zerah, King...
Thesaurus
Baasha's (5 Occurrences)...Baasha's (5 Occurrences). 1 Kings 15:21 and it cometh to pass at
Baasha's hearing,
that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah. (YLT).
...Ba'asha (26 Occurrences)
Ba'asha.Baasha, Ba'asha.Baasha's .... Ba'asha (26 Occurrences). 1 Kings 15:16
There was war between Asa andBaasha king of Israel all their days. (See RSV)....
Ceaseth (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 15:21 and it cometh to pass atBaasha's hearing, that he
ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah. (YLT)....
Letteth (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). 2 Chronicles 16:5 And it cometh to pass, atBaasha's hearing,
that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and letteth his work rest; (YLT)....
Elah (17 Occurrences)
... (4.) The son and successor ofBaasha, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10).... ELAH (2).
e'-la. Son ofBaasha, fourth king of Israel (1 Kings 16:6-14)....
Dogs (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:4 The dogs will eatBaasha's descendants who die in the city; and he
who dies of his in the field the birds of the sky will eat." (WEB KJV JPS ASV...
Babble (1 Occurrence)
Asa (54 Occurrences)
... years there was apparently great prosperity and peace throughout his kingdom, but
in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, Judah was attacked byBaasha, king of...
Ceased (80 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). 1 Kings 15:21 and it cometh to pass atBaasha's hearing,
that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah. (See NAS)....
Resources
Who was King Elah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Baasha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWho was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
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Topical Bible •
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