1 Kings 15
DOYLY— according unto the saying &c.] Providence hereby fulfilling the prediction concerning Jeroboam and his family, as a just retribution for his unparalleled wickedness, idolatry, and injustice. Pyle. But, as Baasha himself “walked in the way of Jeroboam,” ver. 34, it is sufficiently evident that he had not cut off Jeroboam’s family from any religious motive or hatred of idolatry, but merely out of worldly policy to secure himself in his usurped throne. Bp. Patrick.
Chap. XVI. ver. 2. Forasmuch as I — made thee prince over my people] It has been asked, how Baasha’s exaltation to the kingdom can be ascribed to God, when he manifestly obtained it by cruelty and treachery. But it should be considered, not only that by the permission of God only can the wicked designs of men ever succeed, but also that, though the manner of invading the kingdom was from himself and his own wicked heart, yet the transferring of the kingdom from Nadab to him
Before CHRIST 954. 953. about 939.
1 Kings 15:13
- — Asa destroyed her idol, &c.] This was a strong proof of his pious disposition, that he would not suffer so near a relation to retain her idols, or to remain with any authority in the state; “he cut down her idol, and burnt it;” that is, treated it with the utmost contempt. Bp. Patrick.
1 Kings 15:14
- — the high places were not removed:] What high places? There were some dedicated to the worship of false gods; these Asa took away; see 2 Chron. xiv. 3: there were others misdevoted to the worship of the true God; these he suffers to stand. There was gross idolatry in the former, there was weak will-worship in the latter. While he opposes impiety, he winks at error. Yet “nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect.” God overlooks weaknesses where He sees truth. How pleasing a thing is sincerity, when, in favour of it, the mercy of our just God passes over many an error. O God, let our hearts be upright, though our feet slide. The fall cannot, through thy grace, be deadly, however it may shame or pain us. Bp. Hall.
— Asa’s heart was perfect] See the notes on Gen. vi. 9; Deut. xviii. 13. A “perfect heart” in Scripture means, a heart not perfect in respect of degrees, for such a perfection is not attainable in this life, but perfect in respect of parts: an entire heart, a heart wherein no part is wholly wanting, howsoever weak and a great deal short of due proportion. Thus Joshua says, “Now therefore fear the Lord, and serve Him in sincerity and in truth:” (according to the Hebrew, in perfectness and truth:) “and put away the gods which your fathers served,” Josh. xxiv. 14; which was as much as to say, Serve the Lord wholly, and quite renounce all service
1 Kings 15:17
- — and built Ramah.] It appears that, after Asa’s great victory over the Ethiopians, (see 2 Chron. xiv. and xvi.) a considerable number of the Israelites fell off from Baasha, who thereupon resolved to make war upon Judah, and prevent a further defection of his subjects; accordingly he fortified Ramah, a city in the tribe of Benjamin, lying on the confines of the two kingdoms, that he might hinder all communication between his people and the people of Judah. Bp. Patrick.
1 Kings 15:18
- Then Asa took all the silver &c.] In cases of extreme danger, it was always held lawful to employ sacred things in the defence of one’s country; but in this case there was no such necessity; God had appeared wonderfully in Asa’s defence against an enemy much more powerful than Baasha, (see 2 Chron. as above,) and had promised him protection under all circumstances, if he would but adhere to His service. Yet forgetting all this, and betraying a distrust of that God whose power and goodness he had lately experienced, he stript the temple of its treasures, and bribed a heathen prince to come to his assistance, and break his league with another, to whom he stood engaged. He was reproached for his conduct by the Prophet Hanani, as is related at 2 Chron. xvi. 7, &c. Stackhouse.
Before CHRIST about 951. g 2 Chron. 16. 2. Nadab’s wicked reign. Jehu’s prophecy against Baasha. Before CHRIST about 931. building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
1 Kings 15:29
- — he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed.] This was the just judgment of God upon the family of Jeroboam, who, having set up an idolatrous worship in the kingdom of the ten tribes, was punished in the persons of his family; as Solomon, who had been guilty of a like sin, was punished in the person of his son Rehoboam: but with this difference, that God preserved the family of Solomon upon the throne, while that of Jeroboam was extinguished; Baasha having destroyed the whole house of that prince, without leaving one person alive, as the Prophet Ahijah had foretold. This curse, which so visibly fell upon the family of Jeroboam, was to the Israelites an evident proof that God greatly abhorred the idolatry which Jeroboam had introduced, and that the family of David should always subsist. God takes severe vengeance on those who cause iniquity to abound; their glory never lasts long; the wrath of God pursues them, and even often falls heavy upon their posterity. Ostervald.
saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite: