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 Actions

Baasha'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 Evaluation

From 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 Judgment

The 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 Legacy

Baasha 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.

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, Upon Baasha's
Making War Against Him, Invited The King Of The Damascens To Assist Him; And ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

The Record of Two Kings
... Jeroboam's son and successor was killed by Baasha, Baasha's son and successor was
killed by Zimri, who reigned for a week, and then burned the palace and died ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha Destroyed His Son Nadab
And All The House Of Jeroboam. CHAPTER 12. How Zerah, King ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

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). ...
/b/baasha's.htm - 7k

Ba'asha (26 Occurrences)
Ba'asha. Baasha, Ba'asha. Baasha's . ... Ba'asha (26 Occurrences). 1 Kings 15:16
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. (See RSV). ...
/b/ba'asha.htm - 13k

Ceaseth (21 Occurrences)
... (YLT). 1 Kings 15:21 and it cometh to pass at Baasha's hearing, that he
ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah. (YLT). ...
/c/ceaseth.htm - 12k

Letteth (11 Occurrences)
... (KJV ASV WBS YLT). 2 Chronicles 16:5 And it cometh to pass, at Baasha's hearing,
that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and letteth his work rest; (YLT). ...
/l/letteth.htm - 9k

Elah (17 Occurrences)
... (4.) The son and successor of Baasha, king of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-10). ... ELAH (2).
e'-la. Son of Baasha, fourth king of Israel (1 Kings 16:6-14). ...
/e/elah.htm - 17k

Dogs (30 Occurrences)
... 1 Kings 16:4 The dogs will eat Baasha'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 ...
/d/dogs.htm - 15k

Babble (1 Occurrence)

/b/babble.htm - 7k

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 by Baasha, king of ...
/a/asa.htm - 29k

Ceased (80 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS). 1 Kings 15:21 and it cometh to pass at Baasha's hearing,
that he ceaseth from building Ramah, and dwelleth in Tirzah. (See NAS). ...
/c/ceased.htm - 29k

Who was King Elah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Baasha in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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