Exploring 1 Kings 15:16-24

The Context of 1 Kings 15:16-24

Before delving into the specific verses of 1 Kings 15:16-24, it is important to understand the context in which they are situated. This section of First Kings focuses on the reigns of two kings, Asa of Judah and Baasha of Israel. Asa is portrayed as a righteous king who does what is right in the eyes of the Lord, while Baasha is depicted as an evil king who does evil in the eyes of the Lord.

1 Kings 15:16-24

With this context in mind, let us turn our attention to the verses in question: “In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign 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. Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. ‘Let there be a treaty between me and you,’ he said, ‘as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.’ Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali. When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah. Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa built up Geba in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.”

Breaking Down the Verses

Let us now examine each verse in turn and explore their meaning and significance.

Verse 16

“In the thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign 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 verse sets the stage for the events that follow. Baasha, the king of Israel, is depicted as the aggressor, fortifying Ramah in order to exert control over Judah. Asa, the king of Judah, is under siege and must find a way to deal with this threat.

Verse 17

“Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.” In this verse, Asa takes drastic action by raiding the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and his own palace to gather resources to deal with Baasha’s threat. He then sends officials to Damascus to make a treaty with Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram.

Verse 18

“‘Let there be a treaty between me and you,’ he said, ‘as there was between my father and your father. See, I am sending you a gift of silver and gold. Now break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel so he will withdraw from me.'” Asa proposes a treaty with Ben-Hadad, offering him silver and gold as a bribe to break his treaty with Baasha and withdraw his forces from Judah.

Verse 19

“Ben-Hadad agreed with King Asa and sent the commanders of his forces against the towns of Israel. They conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel Beth Maakah and all Kinnereth in addition to Naphtali.” Ben-Hadad agrees to Asa’s proposal and sends his forces to conquer several towns in Israel.

Verse 20

“When Baasha heard this, he stopped building Ramah and withdrew to Tirzah.” Baasha, upon hearing of Ben-Hadad’s attack, abandons his siege of Ramah and retreats to Tirzah.

Verse 21

“Then King Asa issued an order to all Judah—no one was exempt—and they carried away from Ramah the stones and timber Baasha had been using there. With them King Asa built up Geba in Benjamin, and also Mizpah.” Asa takes advantage of Baasha’s retreat to dismantle his fortifications at Ramah and use the materials to strengthen his own defenses in Geba and Mizpah.

The Message of 1 Kings 15:16-24

The message of these verses is clear: righteous kings like Asa are rewarded for their faithfulness to God, while evil kings like Baasha are punished for their disobedience. Asa’s willingness to trust in God and take drastic action to protect his people is contrasted with Baasha’s selfish and aggressive behavior. Ultimately, it is God who determines the fates of kings and nations, and those who follow his commands will be blessed.