1 Kings 15

of Jeroboam’s eighteenth year, and continued his reign the whole nineteenth, and died in the twentieth: and so was reckoned to have reigned three years, as it here follows. Vcr. 2. Three years reigned he in Jerusalem.] This was a very short time, as Abarbincl observes; but it was because he walked in the way of his father; which provoked God to cut hiin off. And his mother’s name ivas Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.] The same author fancies she was the daughter of Absalom, (as he is called 2 Chron. xi. 21.) who rebelled.against his father David; and so was a bad daughter of a bad father. She is called by another name, 2 Chron. xiii. 2. viz. Michaiah the daughter of Uriel But he thinks that is the name of the family, and this her proper name. Others think this is a mere fancy, and with great reason; for Abishalom is a different name from Absalom, as David’s son is always called. And they think he had two names, as his daughter also had. But Pellicanus seems to me to have given the plainest account of this, that Maachah was his grandmother, and Micaiah his mother.‘A COMMENTARY UPON explains it,’ (cap. G. n. 7.) which made him less activo than he had been before this disease seized him. Vcr. 24. And Asa slept tbfth his fathers, and was buried with his fathers, in the city of David his father v andJehoshaphat his sou reigned iii his stead. Verl 25. And Nadab thesono/Jerdboam began foreign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of ludah, and reigned over Israel two years.’] Part Of two years> as appears from ver. 28. 33. Vcr. 2G. And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin J] By the worship of the golden calves. *

1 Kings 15:1

1\ OW, in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of.Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah. Which seems to disagree with what is said below (ver. 9.) concerning Asa, that he began to reign the twentieth year of Jeroboam, and’Abijam reigned three years. But it is usual, both in Scripture and’in other authors, to reckon part of a year for a whole year. So Abijam began to reign in some part

1 Kings 15:3

And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him. Sec xiv. 22 — 24. Atid his heart ivas not perfect with the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father.] They ought all to have remembered David, and trod in. his steps; who was the founder of the royal family; and never turned aside to the worship of other gods, as this man did; though together with them he worshipped the Lord God of Israel, who is therefore called the Lord his God. Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son ofNebat.] So that neither any of his own children, nor the children of any of his relations should remain; but his name be quite put out <:

1 Kings 15:4

Nevertheless, for David’s sake, the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him. He continued the kingdom in the posterity of David: which is tho meaning of giving him a lamp. (See xi. 30.) And to establish Jerusalem.’] Whereby Jerusalem was established as the place of God’s worship. Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth in the field shall the fowls of theaireat^] The very same threatening that was pronounced against Jeroboam and his posterity by Ahijah, (xiv. 11.)

1 Kings 15:5

• Because David did that tvhich was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.] He was not without other sins; tut none so enormous as this: and therefore not remembered, as this about Uriah is very often, to his dishonour. Ver. G. And there ivas war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.] This was said before, (xiv. 30.) and therefore may seem to come in here impertinently: because he is not speaking of Rehoboam, but of his son Abijam: who was a valiant young man in the days of his father, antl always fought his battles with Jeroboam. Which being related before in the history Qf Rehoboam, is here repeated, as Abarbinel thinks, to shew that Abijam was the cause of these wars. And these words, all his days, he thinks, relate to Abijam, who continued the war between his father and Jeroboam with great success: as we read 2 Chron. xiii. 17. Bochartus thinks a plainer account may be given of this, by supposing that Rehoboam signifies this son of his; children and fathers being one and the same in a moral account. Thus Abraham is said to have purchased the sepulchre of the sons of Emor; which was indeed purchased by Jacob: and the Israelites say to Rehoboam, (xii. 1G.) " What portion have we in David Y 9 That is, in Rehoboam the grandchild of David? In like manner, he thinks, it may be said, there ivas war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam; that is, between Abijam the son of Rehoboam and Jeroboam: whom Abijam grievously afflicted. (Hierozoicon, par. i. lib. ii. cap. 43.) But this doth not seem to bo the true account; because the war between Abijam and Jeroboam is distinctly mentioned in the next verse. Therefore the meaning of these words is, that though God was pleased, for David’s sake, who walked uprightly before him, to continue a lamp, that is, a successor to him in Jerusalem; yet these successors were vexed with continual wars (as appeared both in the reign of Rehoboam and of Abijam), and did not enjoy their kingdom peaceably. Vcr. 7. Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings ofJudah?] Sec xi. 41. Ezra saith they were recorded in the book of the prophet Iddo, 2 Chron. xiii. 22. from whence he took what he thought fit. And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.] He continued the war, which had been between his father and Jeroboam, and managed it very gloriously, as Ezra shews in the book of the Chronicles. Now the rest of the acts of Baaslia, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel? Ver. G. So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: andElahhis son reigned in his stead.] Ho was not slain, as Nadab was; but died, as Jeroboam did; and his son suffered like his, (ver. 9, 10.)

1 Kings 15:7

And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son ofHanani came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house. This command of God being given to Jehu, (ver. 1.) lie executed it, and delivered this message to Baasha some time before he died. Which is said to be done by the hand of Jehu, because he was the minister of God in this business. CHAP. XVI.] THE F.IRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. Even for nil the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like to Jeroboam; and because he killed, MmJ] That is, killed Nadaby who was Jeroboam’s son: or rather (as Abarbinel judiciously observes) this relates to the whole iiOuse of Jeroboam beforementioned; which Baasha destroyed,- not because they were idolaters, and that he might fulfil thq word of the Lord (as perhaps he pretended), but to satisfy his own ambition,* being guilty of the very same Crime that Jeroboam was: and therefore was no better than a murderer in the slaughter ho made of his family; and accordingly is threatened to be punished for that very act, which was committed, not in obedience to. God, but to serve himself.

1 Kings 15:8

And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they hiriedt him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead. And in the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Juddli began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israeli] This seems to contradict what Ezra saith in 2 Chron. xvi. l v that Baasha built Ramah Sn the thirty-sixth year of Asa. Of which I shall give anaccount inmy notes on that place. For the present it may suffice to sa y> that Ezra doth not speak of th^ thirty-sixth year of Asa’s reign, but of the thirty-sixth year after the division of the kingdom. For It could be, at the most, but the twenty: sixth year of Asa’s reign when Baasha died. ,:n o \ In Tirzah, two years.] Not complete; but one entire year, and part of another:- as appears from ver. 10. 15. 1

1 Kings 15:9

In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah. In some part of that year. (See ver. 2.) Aiid his servant Zimri (captain of half of his cliariots)] A considerable commander in his itrmy, who had a great interest in the soldiery. .’ Conspired against him as he was in Tirzah, drinking him self drunk in the house of Arza, steward of his house in Tit zaJi.] He seems to have been a debauched young man, who stayed at home following his pleasures, whilst his army was besieging Gibbethon, (ver. 15.) Which gave Zimri, who it is likely was captain of his guard, the better opportunity to kill him.

1 Kings 15:10

And one-and-forty years reigned he i?i Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. This was the name of his grandmother, who is called his mother, asReuel is called the father of Jethro’s daughters, Exod. ii. 18. when he was their grandfather. Which example Kimchi here alleges to explain this. And thus Abarbinel: The sense is not, that Maachah brought forth Asa (for she was his father’s mother), but she brought him up and gave him his education: which made his piety the more remarkable, that he was’not tainted with her principles of religion as bis father was. But why his mother should not be mentioned, but bis grandmother, which was not at all needful (because it was evident, by what was said before, that Maachah was the mother of Abijam his father), is unaccountable.. And therefore others think that this was the name of his mother; which was the same, as * her father’s also was, with that of Abijam’s. And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty-seventh year of Asa kingofJudah, and reigned in his stead.] Here was a speedy execution. of the vengeance threatened against him by Jehu, that God would make his house like the house of Jeroboam, (ver. 3.) For as Nadab the son of Jeroboam reigned but two years, (xv. 25.) so Elah the son of Baasha reigned no more: and then, as Nadab was killed with the sword, so was Elah. Thus, as Abarbinel notes, there was a wonderful likeness between Jeroboam and Baasha, in their lives, and in their deaths; in their sons, and in their family.

1 Kings 15:11

And Asa did that which ivas right in the sight of the Lord, as did David his father. He made him his pattern: worshipping the Lord alone, and taking away all idols, as it here follows. And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left not one that pisseth against the wall.] That is, not a man. (See xiv. i0.) Neither of his kinsfolk, nor of his friends.] He not only destroyed all that were descended from Baasha, as Baasha had done the family of Jeroboam; but ho extended the destruction, and increased it, as Abarbinel, speaks; for he killed all that were of kin to Baasha, with all his friends, which Baasha did riot: this seems tO’be contained in the threatening of Jehu, (ver. 3.) Veri 12. Thus Zimri destroyed all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake against Baasha by Jehit the prophet.] See ver. 1, 2. 7.

1 Kings 15:12

And he took axvay the Sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his father had made.* Of which see xiv. 23, 24. But still some secretly remained; and therefore when it is said he removed all idols, the meaning is, all that he could discover, for some lurked privately, (xxii. 4G.) Vcr. 13. And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen.] Hciook away her guards, all the ensigns of royal dignity, and reduced her to the condition of a private person. But the word being is not in the Hebrew; which others translate, he removed her from the queen: that is, from his wife; that she might not be infected with her idolatry. He put her therefore out of tho court, where she gave a bad example. Because she had made an idol in a grove.] The word wo Digitized by Miprosoft ® CHAP. XV.] THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS. translate idol, is Miphlezeth, which imports something of t frightful terror and horror; either because it was of aspect, or brought dreadful judgments upon its worshippers. St. Jerome understands by it Priapus, or Baal- Peor, to whom the women were much devoted. Theodoret takes it for Astarte, or Venus: and, indeed, in the northern countries, Priapus and Venus were painted together; as Johan. Gensius observes in his book De Victimis Humanis, par. i. cap. 9. Whatsoever it was, it was placed in a grove; in which shady places all the works of darkness, even sodomy itself, were practised. Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.] He cut it down, and having burnt it, stamped it to a powder, and then threw it into the brook Kidron; as Moses did with the golden calf, Exod. xxxii.* 20. (See 2 Chron. xv. 16.)

1 Kings 15:13

For all the sins of Baasha, and tlie sins of Elah his son.) This shews that Elah walked in bis father’s ways; though it be not before mentioned. By uphich they sinned,,and by which they made Israel to sin,. in provoking the Lord.God qf Israel to anger with their vanities.] So the golden calves are. called, being (as For; sterus well translates the word) " Commentitia numina," gods of their own devising* (See 1 Sam. xii. 21.). Ver. 14* Now Merest, of the acts of Elah, and all that lie did, are they not written in the book of the Clironicles of the kings of Israel?’) Here is no mention of his might; (as there is of his father’s, ver. 5.) for he was, as I said, a man of pleasure. i Ver. 15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king ofJudah did Zimri reign seven, days in Tirzah: and the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philis* tines.] Which had; been besieged many years ago, when Baasha slew Nadad, (xv. 27.) But was then relieved, or afterward retaken by the Philistines, while the. Israelites were in a distracted condition; but.now again invested.

1 Kings 15:14

Bat the high places ivere not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days. He did take away all the high places wherein they sacrificed to strange gods, (2 Chron. xiv. 3.) but not those wherein God alone was worshipped: for his authority was not great enough to do this; the people having so universally and so long taken this licence, that none durst attempt to abolish this inveterate custom till the days of Hezekiah: who, seeing the calamities that were coming upon his country, endeavoured to prevent them by a thorough reformation. But though Asa did not venture to do this, yet his heart was sincerely affected to the right worship of God; and he suffered sacrifices to be offered to none else.

1 Kings 15:15

And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the Lord, silver, and gold, and vessels. According to the piety of ancient times, his father had vowed some part of the spoils he took in the war with Jeroboam unto the Lord; but had not time to make good Tiis vow, or upon some account or other neglected it. Asa’s son therefore made his vow good; and also himself brought in what he had devoted unto holy uses, (for so the words are in the Hebrew, he brought in the holy things of his father, &c.) having gotten great spoil in his war with the Ethiopians,* (2 Chron. xiv. 13, 14.) Ver. 1G. And there ivas war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.’] There having been no mention hitherto made of Baasha, this may seem not to stand in its proper place. But Abarbinel thinks it is here inserted, that as this Divine writer had shewn what his virtues were, so he might now mention his faults. The chief of which was occasioned by this war: which moved him to send to Bcn-hadad for help, when he should have relied upon God; as it is related largely, 2 Chron. xvi. 7, &c.

1 Kings 15:16

And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri ~hath’ conspired, and hath also slain the king. Had success in his conspiracy, and made himself king. Wherefore alllsraelmade Omri, the captain.of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.] Just as the Roman army, in aftertimes, made their chief commander emperor. -

1 Kings 15:17

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Ju~ dah. After Asa’s great victory over the Ethiopians, a great many of the Israelites fell off to him from Baasha: who thereupon resolved to make war upon Judah, and thereby prevent a further defection of his subjects. And built Ramah.] A city in the tribe of Benjamin: which either belonged to the kingdom of Israel, or he had taken from Judah and fortified it; for that is meant by building it, as appears by what follows. That he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.] That he might hinder all communication between his people and the people of Judah. For this place lay in the confines of both kingdoms; and in such a strait, that, a fortification being made there, none could pass to and fro without a licence from Baasha. And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him.] All the. army, that.were at the siege. And besieged Tirzah.] Where Zimri, a more dangerous enemy, was.

1 Kings 15:18

Then Asa took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king’s house, and delivered them into the hands of his servants; and king Asa sent them to’Ben-hadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son ofHezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying J] This was held lawful, in case of extreme danger, to employ sacred things for the defence of one’s country. But here was no such necessity in this case; for God had appeared so wonderfully for Asa, against a more powerful enemy than Baasha, that he ought to have* confided in him for help; as the prophet Hanani told him, 2 Chron. xvi. 7, &c. » Audit came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken.] Which. he was not able to defend,, against a powerful army,; from whom he suspected no opposition; but hoped th^y would have let him reign.as quietly as they did Baasha. That he went into the palace of the. king\s house.] Into the strongest part of the house. And burnt the king 9 s house over him with fire, and died.] He was afraid, I suppose, of suffering some shameful punishment, if he had been taken alive; and therefore chose to die desperately in. this manner. So Sardanapulus ended his life. - Ver.. 19. For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the Lord, in walking in, the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.]. Though he lived but a very short time after he usurped the crown, yet he gave sufficient demonstration of his resolution to continue the idolatry of Jeroboam; and therefore was abandoned by God.

1 Kings 15:19

There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father. In the latter end of Solomon’s reign the Syrians were enemies to him, (xi. 24, 25.) But when he was dead, and the kingdom was divided, both Judah and Israel made peace with the Syrians: having enough to do, to settle themselves in their own dominions. Behold, I have sent ttnto thee apresent of silver and gold; come and break. thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.] This was a wicked piece of policy, to tempt him with money to break his word, which perhaps he had sworn to observe. •

1 Kings 15:20

So Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had. Always in a readiness, for some expedition, or for the defence of his country., Against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijdn, and Dan, and Abel-beth-maachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.] By this it appears, that he fell upon the northern part of the kingdom of Israel; which was nearest to Damascus; whilst Baasha was busy at Ramah, which was in the more southern part of his dominion. Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and the treason which he wrought, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?] It is likely, other acts that he did before he conspired against JSlah were recorded in that book; together with the manner how he wrought his treason.

1 Kings 15:21

And it came to pass, that when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah. By this means Asa compassed his ends; it not being safe for Baasha to continue the work he was about, for fear Ben-hadad should make larger conquests than he had already done. And dwelt in Tirzah.] Which was become the royal city, (see xiv. 17.) whero Baasha settled himself; though he intended, I suppose, when he had finished Ramah, to have, dwelt there somp part of the year; that by his presence the passages might have been the better secured. Ver. £2. Then Icing Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah (none was exempted).] He summoned all the people of the country; who were not disabled by age, or sickness, or some other way, And they took away the stones, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had buildedjand king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.] They were inhabited be-r fore, but he enlarged, and perhaps fortified them. Which he judged better than to perfect the fortification of Ramah; which would have been a perpetual bone of contention (as we speak) between Judah and Israel. Tlien were the people of Israel divided into two parts.] For when it is said, (ver. 16.) all Israel made Omri king in the camp; the meaning is, only the whole army, and they that attended them. sHalfofthe people followed Tibni the son ofGinath, to make him king.] For they did not like to have a king imposed upon them by the soldiery; and Tibni had as good a title as the other, being also a valiant man; who succeeded

1 Kings 15:23

And the rest of the acts of Asa, and allhis might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Judah?. See xi. 41. Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.] He had the gout, as the Gcmaraof tho Sanhedrin 3L2

1 Kings 15:27

And Baasha tile son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar. That is, of a family in the tribe of Issachar. Conspired against him: and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines (for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon).] It was a city in the tribe of Dan, (Josh. xix. 44.) and given to the Levites,;(xxf. 23.) whoquitted it, as they did the rest of’their cities, when Jeroboam would not suffer them to execute their office, (2 Chron. xi.*14.) and the Philistines it is likely seized upon it, being adjoining to their country." But-NaSab now endeavoured to recover it out of their hands, 1 as of right belonging to him.

1 Kings 15:28

Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead. What was the pretence for this conspiracy we ar6 not told; but it is likely he had many joined with* him in it; othenvise it had not been easy to slay him, when he was in the midst of his army before Gibbethon.

1 Kings 15:29

And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according to the saying of the Lord, which he spake by Ahijah the Shilonite.] His intention was not to fulfil this prophecy, (mentioned xiv. 10.) but to secure himself in his usurped throne/by cutting off all that had any title to it. " But by this means God fulfilled his own intentions; and that as speedily as Ahijah the prophet had foretold, (xiv. 14.) Ver. 30; Because of the sins of Jeroboam which lie sinned, and ivhich he made Israel to sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the Lord God of Israel to anger.] Which caused great miseries in Israel; especially in the beginning of that kingdom, when they reigned by force, not by succession. Whereas in Judah the son succeeded the father, by right of blood, according to the promise made to David.

1 Kings 15:31

Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the kings of Israel?. His acts could not be many; yet more w f ere recorded in the public Annals than are here mentioned, (xi. 41.)

1 Kings 15:32

And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days. We read the very same words before (ver. 1G.) in the history of Asa; which are now repeated in the history of Baasha, to shew* the reason why Asa was his enemy, which he would not have been (but his friend) had he feared God after his cutting off the whole house of Jeroboam. But he would make no covenant with him, notwithstanding he had fulfilled the word of God, because he walked in the sins of Jeroboam. Thus Abarbinel.

1 Kings 15:33

And in the third year of Asa king of Judah [chap. XVI. began Baasha the son of Ahijah J o reign over all Israel in TiriaV, twenty and four years. Ver: 34.‘And he did wit in the sight of the Lord, and tcalked’in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith Ice made’Israel to siri.] Which makes it evident, that he did not cutoff Jeroboam’s family because thdy were idolaters, butbecduse he aspired to the throno; which, when he possessed, he endeavoured to establish himself in it by the Same wicked policy which Jeroboam used. For he reformed nothing in religion; but continued to worship the calves which Jeroboani had set up, to keep the people from goingto woVship^at Jerusalem. chap, xvi; Veh 1. JL HEN the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son bfllandni against Baasha, saying.] This is a prophet that lived* till -the end of Jehoshaphat’s reign. (See 2 Chron. xix. 1. xx. 34.) And his father Hariani was a prophet before him, (2 Chron. xVi. 7.) Nor w r as there wanting a succession of prophets during the kingddms of Israel and Judah, as Abarbinel hath observed through every reign, their names being set down in Holy’ Scripture: he hath shewn in a catalbgue he hath made of the kings, and the prophets in th6ir time; too long to be here transcribed. < T VerV2. Forasmuch as I have exalted thee out of the dust.] It £ecms he was of a mean family in the tribo of Issachar. Perhaps, but a common soldier, or some small officer in the army which laid siege to Gibbethon; but being bold and daring, formed a conspiracy against Nadab. • And made thee prince of my people Israel.] God’s providence interposed, that nothing should hinder the success of his design against Nadab; because he intended to make use of him’ to punish the house of Jeroboam. And thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin’; to provoke me to anger by their sins.] Continued them in their idolatry, against which he ought to have shewn the greatest zeal, because it provoked God’s anger against the family “of Jeroboam.