1 Kings 15:16
1 Kings 15:16 in Multiple Translations
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.
¶ And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Now there was war between Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, all their days.
Asa and Baasha, king of Israel, were always at war with each other.
And there was warre betweene Asa and Baasha King of Israel all their dayes.
And war hath been between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days,
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
And there was war between Asa, and Baasa king of Israel all their days.
There were wars between the armies of Asa and Baasha, the king of Israel, all during the time that they ruled.
Berean Amplified Bible — 1 Kings 15:16
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
1 Kings 15:16 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וּ/מִלְחָמָ֨ה
הָיְתָ֜ה
בֵּ֣ין
אָסָ֗א
וּ/בֵ֛ין
בַּעְשָׁ֥א
מֶֽלֶךְ
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
כָּל
יְמֵי/הֶֽם
וּ/מִלְחָמָ֨ה
milchâmâh
H4421
battle
Conj | N-fs
הָיְתָ֜ה
hâyâh
H1961
to be
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
בֵּ֣ין
bêyn
H996
between
Prep
אָסָ֗א
ʼÂçâʼ
H609
Asa
N-proper
וּ/בֵ֛ין
bêyn
H996
between
Conj | Prep
בַּעְשָׁ֥א
Baʻshâʼ
H1201
Baasha
N-proper
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
כָּל
kôl
H3605
all
N-ms
יְמֵי/הֶֽם
yôwm
H3117
day
N-mp | Suff
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — 1 Kings 15:16
וּ/מִלְחָמָ֨ה
milchâmâh
H4421
"battle"
Conj | N-fs
This word means battle or war, describing a fight or conflict. It is used in the Bible to talk about wars and battles, like the ones in the book of Joshua. The KJV translates it as battle or fight.
Definition: battle, war
Usage: Occurs in 308 OT verses. KJV: battle, fight(-ing), war(-rior). See also: Genesis 14:2; 1 Samuel 30:24; 2 Chronicles 13:14.
הָיְתָ֜ה
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
V-Qal-Perf-3fs
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בֵּ֣ין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
אָסָ֗א
ʼÂçâʼ
H609
"Asa"
N-proper
Asa was a king of Judah, son of Abijam, who ruled wisely and brought peace to the land, as recorded in 1 Kings 15:11-15 and 2 Chronicles 14-16.
Definition: A man of the tribe of Levi living at the time of Exile and Return, only mentioned at 1Ch.9.16; son of: Elkanah (H0511K); father of: Berechiah (H1296I) § Asa = "healer: injurious (?)" 1) king of Judah, son of Abijam, father of Jehoshaphat 2) a Levite
Usage: Occurs in 52 OT verses. KJV: Asa. See also: 1 Kings 15:8; 2 Chronicles 13:23; Jeremiah 41:9.
וּ/בֵ֛ין
bêyn
H996
"between"
Conj | Prep
Between is the meaning of this preposition, used to show a location or a choice, like either or, as seen in Exodus where it describes the space between two objects.
Definition: : between between, among, in the midst of (with other preps), from between
Usage: Occurs in 248 OT verses. KJV: among, asunder, at, between (-twixt...and), [phrase] from (the widest), [idiom] in, out of, whether (it be...or), within. See also: Genesis 1:4; Joshua 24:7; Psalms 68:14.
בַּעְשָׁ֥א
Baʻshâʼ
H1201
"Baasha"
N-proper
Baasha was a king of Israel, mentioned in 1 Kings 15:16, who killed King Nadab and founded the second dynasty of the northern kingdom of Israel.
Definition: A king of the Kingdom of Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1Ki.15.16; son of: Ahijah (H0281I); father of: Elah (H0425H) § Baasha = "wicked" third king of the northern kingdom of Israel and the founder of its second dynasty having killed the second king, Nadab
Usage: Occurs in 26 OT verses. KJV: Baasha. See also: 1 Kings 15:16; 1 Kings 16:6; Jeremiah 41:9.
מֶֽלֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
כָּל
kôl
H3605
"all"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for 'all' or 'everything' is used throughout the Bible, like in Genesis 1:31, where God sees all He has made as very good. It encompasses the entirety of something, whether people, things, or situations.
Definition: 1) all, the whole 1a) all, the whole of 1b) any, each, every, anything 1c) totality, everything Aramaic equivalent: kol (כֹּל "all" H3606)
Usage: Occurs in 4242 OT verses. KJV: (in) all (manner, (ye)), altogether, any (manner), enough, every (one, place, thing), howsoever, as many as, (no-) thing, ought, whatsoever, (the) whole, whoso(-ever). See also: Genesis 1:21; Genesis 17:10; Genesis 41:40.
יְמֵי/הֶֽם
yôwm
H3117
"day"
N-mp | Suff
The Hebrew word 'yom' refers to a day, which can be a literal 24-hour period or a figurative space of time. It is used in the Bible to describe a wide range of time periods, from a single day to a year or a lifetime. The word 'yom' is used in many different contexts throughout the Bible.
Definition: : day/when/time/period 1) day, time, year 1a) day (as opposed to night) 1b) day (24 hour period) 1b1) as defined by evening and morning in Genesis 1 1b2) as a division of time 1b2a) a working day, a day's journey 1c) days, lifetime (pl.) 1d) time, period (general) 1e) year 1f) temporal references 1f1) today 1f2) yesterday 1f3) tomorrow
Usage: Occurs in 1930 OT verses. KJV: age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger. See also: Genesis 1:5; Genesis 33:13; Exodus 23:15.
Study Notes — 1 Kings 15:16
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- 1 Kings 15:16 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:16
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:16
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
- Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
- Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
- Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:16
- Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 15:16
- Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
Context — War between Asa and Baasha
14The high places were not removed, but Asa’s heart was fully devoted to the LORD all his days.
15And he brought into the house of the LORD the silver and gold and the articles that he and his father had dedicated.
16Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.
17Baasha king of Israel went to war against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah. 18So Asa withdrew all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace. He entrusted it to his servants and sent them with this message to Ben-hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus:Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 Kings 15:32 | And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days. |
| 2 | 1 Kings 14:30 | There was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their days. |
| 3 | 2 Chronicles 16:1–6 | 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. So Asa withdrew the silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and he sent it with this message to Ben-hadad king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus: “Let there be a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.” And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel, conquering Ijon, Dan, Abel-maim, and all the store cities of Naphtali. When Baasha learned of this, he stopped fortifying Ramah and abandoned his work. Then King Asa brought all the men of Judah, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials he built up Geba and Mizpah. |
| 4 | 1 Kings 15:6–7 | And there was war between the houses of Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of Abijam’s life. As for the rest of the acts of Abijam, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam. |
1 Kings 15:16 Summary
This verse, 1 Kings 15:16, tells us that there was a long and ongoing war between Asa, the king of Judah, and Baasha, the king of Israel. This conflict likely caused a lot of stress and uncertainty for the people of Judah, but as believers, we can trust in God's sovereignty and faithfulness, just like Asa did (1 Kings 15:14). We can also learn from Asa's example and remain faithful to God, even in the midst of challenging circumstances (Proverbs 3:5-6). By trusting in God and remaining faithful, we can find peace and hope, even in the midst of conflict.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was there war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel?
The Bible doesn't explicitly state the reason for the war between Asa and Baasha in 1 Kings 15:16, but it may be related to the division of the kingdom of Israel, as seen in 1 Kings 12:16-24, where the kingdom was split into two parts, Israel and Judah.
How did Asa's faith affect his actions during the war?
Although 1 Kings 15:16 doesn't directly describe Asa's actions during the war, 1 Kings 15:14 states that Asa's heart was fully devoted to the LORD, which may have influenced his decisions and actions during the conflict, as seen in his later actions in 1 Kings 15:18.
What can we learn from the ongoing conflict between Asa and Baasha?
The ongoing war between Asa and Baasha, as mentioned in 1 Kings 15:16, serves as a reminder that even in the midst of conflict, we must remain faithful to God, just as Asa did, and trust in His sovereignty, as seen in Proverbs 3:5-6, which encourages us to trust in the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding.
How does this verse relate to the rest of 1 Kings 15?
1 Kings 15:16 is part of a larger narrative that describes the reign of Asa, king of Judah, and his interactions with the surrounding nations, including Israel, as seen in 1 Kings 15:17-18, which describes Baasha's actions against Judah and Asa's response.
Reflection Questions
- What are some ways that I can remain faithful to God in the midst of conflict or challenging circumstances, just like Asa did?
- How can I trust in God's sovereignty, even when the outcome is uncertain, as seen in Asa's situation?
- What are some areas in my life where I may be experiencing 'war' or conflict, and how can I apply the principles of faith and trust to those situations, as seen in 1 Kings 15:16?
- In what ways can I demonstrate my devotion to God, as Asa did, despite the challenges and pressures of the world around me?
Gill's Exposition on 1 Kings 15:16
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days:] That is as long as they lived together; for Baasha died many years before Asa, and this must be reckoned from the time the war began between them.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 15:16
And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
So long as they two lived and reigned together; which is not so to be understood, as if there were a solemn and declared war continuing all that time, (for Asa was quiet in a great measure for his first ten years, , till the Israelites had recovered themselves from that dreadfull blow given them by Abijah, 2 Chronicles 13, and Baasha began to reign in Asa’ s third year,) but so that there were many private and particular hostilities practised among them; in which sense the same phrase is used .
Trapp's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
1 Kings 15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.Ver. 16. And there was war.] See on 1 Kings 14:30.
Ellicott's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
(16) There was war . . .—According to 1 Kings 15:33, Baasha reigned from the third to the twenty-seventh year of Asa. The phrase, here repeated from 1 Kings 14:30, 1 Kings 15:7, appears simply to mean that the old hostile relations remained, combined with, perhaps, some border war; for it is expressly said in 2 Chronicles 14:1, that Asa’s first ten years were peaceful, and the open war with Israel did not break out till after the victory over Zerah, in his fifteenth year.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
Verse 16. There was war] That is, there was continual enmity; see on 1Kg 15:6. But there was no open war till the thirty-sixth year of Asa, when Baasha, king of Israel, began to build Ramah, that he might prevent all communication between Israel and Judah; see 2 Chronicles 15:19; 2 Chronicles 16:1. But this does not agree with what is said here, 1Kg 16:8-9, that Elah, the son and successor of Baasha, was killed by Zimri, in the twenty-sixth year of the reign of Asa. Chronologers endeavour to reconcile this by saying that the years should be reckoned, not from the beginning of the reign of Asa, but from the separation of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It is most certain that Baasha could not make war upon Asa in the thirty-sixth year of his reign, when it is evident from this chapter that he was dead in the twenty-sixth year of that king. We must either adopt the mode of solution given by chronologists, or grant that there is a mistake in some of the numbers; most likely in the parallel places in Chronicles, but which we have no direct means of correcting. But the reader may compare 2 Chronicles 14:1, with 2 Chronicles 15:10; 2 Chronicles 15:19; 2 Chronicles 16:1.
Cambridge Bible on 1 Kings 15:16
16–24. Asa’s war with Baasha. His death (2 Chronicles 16:1-6; 2 Chronicles 16:11-14) 16. between Asa and Baasha] Baasha obtained the throne of Israel in the third year of Asa’s reign (1 Kings 15:33) and reigned twenty-four years. So Asa was king all through Baasha’s reign. Hence ‘all their days’ implies the whole of Baasha’s reign.
Barnes' Notes on 1 Kings 15:16
Baasha became king of Israel in the third year of Asa 1 Kings 15:33. The petty warfare which ordinarily prevailed on the borders of the two kingdoms continued “all the days” of Asa and Baasha.
Whedon's Commentary on 1 Kings 15:16
16. War between Asa and Baasha… all their days — Though there were intervals of rest and comparative peace, like those mentioned 2 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 15:19, the feeling of hostility was