Baasha, son of Ahijah, was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 909 to 886 BC. He was from the tribe of Issachar and came to power by overthrowing and assassinating King Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, during a military campaign against the Philistine city of Gibbethon (1 Kings 15:27-28). Baasha's rise to power marked a significant shift in the ruling dynasty of Israel, as he established his own line after the demise of Jeroboam's house.

Reign and Actions

Baasha's reign is characterized by his efforts to consolidate power and secure his kingdom against external threats. He continued the war against the southern kingdom of Judah, which had been initiated by his predecessors. To fortify his position, Baasha fortified the city of Ramah, located on the border between Israel and Judah, to control access and exert pressure on Asa, the king of Judah (1 Kings 15:17).

Despite his political and military maneuvers, Baasha's reign was marked by spiritual failure. He perpetuated the idolatrous practices established by Jeroboam, leading Israel into sin. The prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, delivered a message from the LORD condemning Baasha for his actions and prophesying the destruction of his house, similar to the fate of Jeroboam's lineage (1 Kings 16:1-4).

Prophetic Judgment and Legacy

The prophetic judgment against Baasha was fulfilled during the reign of his son, Elah. Baasha's entire household was exterminated by Zimri, one of his military commanders, who conspired against Elah and seized the throne (1 Kings 16:8-13). This violent end to Baasha's dynasty underscored the divine retribution for his idolatry and disobedience.

Baasha's legacy is a cautionary tale of the consequences of leading a nation away from the worship of the LORD. His reign, though politically significant, is overshadowed by his failure to adhere to the covenantal standards set forth for the kings of Israel. His actions contributed to the spiritual decline of the northern kingdom, setting a precedent for subsequent rulers who continued in idolatry and rebellion against God.

References in Scripture

Baasha's account is primarily recorded in the First Book of Kings, chapters 15 and 16. His interactions with the prophet Jehu and his conflict with Asa of Judah are significant events that highlight the political and spiritual dynamics of his reign. The account of Baasha serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dire consequences of leading a nation into sin.Baasha

he that seeks, or lays waste

Baasha

(wicked), B.C. 953-931, third sovereign of the separate kingdom of Israel, and the founder of its second dynasty. He was son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar and conspired against King Nadab, (1 Kings 15:27) and killed him with his whole family. He appears to have been of humble origin. (1 Kings 16:2) It was probably in the 13th year of his reign that he made war on Asa, and began to fortify Ramah. He was defeated by the unexpected alliance of Asa with Ben-hadad I. of Damascus. Baasha died in the 24th year of his reign, and was buried in Tirzah, (Solomon 6:4) which he had made his capital. (1 Kings 16:6; 2 Chronicles 16:1-6)

Baasha

Son of Ahijah, and commander of the armies of Nadab, king of Israel. He killed his master treacherously at the siege of Gibbethon, and usurped the kingdom, B.C. 953, which he possessed twenty-three years. He exterminated the whole race of Jeroboam, as had been predicted, 1 Kings 14:7-14; but by his bad conduct and idolatry incurred God's indignation,

1 Kings 15:1-16:7,12. God sent him a warning by the mouth of Jebu the prophet; which was fulfilled in the extermination of his family two years after his own death.

Bravery, the third king of the separate kingdom of Israel, and founder of its second dynasty (1 Kings 15; 16; 2 Chronicles 16:1-6). He was the son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar. The city of Tirzah he made the capital of his kingdom, and there he was buried, after an eventful reign of twenty-four years (1 Kings 15:33). On account of his idolatries his family was exterminated, according to the word of the prophet Jehu (1 Kings 16:3, 4, 10-13). BAASHA

ba'-a-sha ba`sha', ("boldness"): King of Israel. Baasha, son of Ahijah, and of common birth (1 Kings 16:2), usurped the throne of Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, killed Nadab and exterminated the house of Jeroboam. He carried on a long warfare with Asa, the king of Judah (compare Jeremiah 41:9), began to build Ramah, but was prevented from completing this work by Ben-hadad, the king of Syria. He is told by the prophet Jehu that because of his sinful reign the fate of his house would be like that of Jeroboam. Baasha reigned 24 years. His son Elah who succeeded him and all the members of his family were murdered by the usurper Zimri (1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 16:1 2 Chronicles 16:1). The fate of his house is referred to in 1 Kings 21:22 2 Kings 9:9. Compare ASA; ELAH; ZIMRI.

A. L. Breslich

1201. Basha -- a king of Isr.
... 1200, 1201. Basha. 1202 . a king of Isr. Transliteration: Basha Phonetic Spelling:
(bah-shaw') Short Definition: Baasha. ... NASB Word Usage Baasha (28). Baasha ...
/hebrew/1201.htm - 5k

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 Kingdom of Samaria.
... Prophets warned him in vain, that his line should not remain on the throne; and
in the reign of his son Nadab, the rebel Baasha arose and slew the whole family ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

National Apostasy
... His career of evil was suddenly stopped by a conspiracy headed by Baasha,
one of his generals, to gain control of the government. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.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

Concerning the Death of a Son of Jeroboam. How Jeroboam was Beaten ...
... Kingdom By Asa. And Also How, After The Death Of Jeroboam Baasha Destroyed
His Son Nadab And All The House Of Jeroboam. 1. However ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 11 concerning the death.htm

Asa's Reformation, and Consequent Peace and victory
... standing enmity with the northern kingdom, and records scarcely anything of Asa's
reign except the war which, as it says, was between him and Baasha of Israel ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture g/asas reformation and consequent peace.htm

CHAP. I. -II. 3 (II. 1).
... And I give the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and like
the house of Baasha the son of Ahijah." The execution corresponded with the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i -ii 3 ii 1.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/

Of the Two Kinds of Trials, which Come Upon us in a Three-Fold Way ...
... And these we plainly see were inflicted on Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and Baasha
the son of Ahiah, and Ahab and Jezebel, when the Divine reproof thus declares ...
/.../cassian/the works of john cassian /chapter xi of the two.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned 22 years and died. 2. Nadab, 1:K.15:25-27. Reigned 2 years and was slain.
3. Baasha, 1-K.15;27-16:6. Reigned 24 years and died. 4. Elah, 1-K.16;6-10. ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Baasha (26 Occurrences)
... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. BAASHA. ba'-a-sha ba`sha', ("boldness"):
King of Israel. Baasha... Jeroboam. Baasha reigned 24 years. ...
/b/baasha.htm - 16k

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

Baasa (26 Occurrences)
... Multi-Version Concordance Baasa (26 Occurrences). 1 Kings 15:16 And there was war
between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. (See JPS). ...
/b/baasa.htm - 13k

Tirzah (17 Occurrences)
... Here reigned Jeroboam, Nadab his son, Baasha, Elah and Zimri (1 Kings 15:21,
33; 1 Kings 16:6, 8, 9, 15). Baasha was buried in Tirzah. ...
/t/tirzah.htm - 14k

Gibbethon (5 Occurrences)
... 23). Nadab the king of Israel, while besieging it, was slain under its
walls by Baasha, one of his own officers (1 Kings 15:27). ...
/g/gibbethon.htm - 9k

Benhadad (24 Occurrences)
... 2. Syria and Judah: Such an opportunity presented itself in the appeal of
Asa, king of Judah, for help against Baasha king of Israel. ...
/b/benhadad.htm - 28k

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

Nadab (21 Occurrences)
... with all Israel in laying siege to Gibbethon, a town of southern Dan (Joshua
19:44), a conspiracy broke out in his army, and he was slain by Baasha (1 Kings ...
/n/nadab.htm - 16k

Ahijah (23 Occurrences)
... (8) The father of Baasha king of Israel (1 Kings 15:27, 33; 1 Kings 21:22 2 Kings
9:9). (9) A Levite of Nehemiah's time, who sealed the covenant (Nehemiah 10 ...
/a/ahijah.htm - 21k

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

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

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

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