She had made an idol in a grove - The original word, מפלצת miphletseth , is variously understood. I shall give its different views in the versions: - "Besides, he removed his mother Maacha from being chief in the sacred rites of Priapus, and in his grove which she had consecrated." - Vulgate. read more
The high places were not removed - He was not able to make a thorough reformation; this was reserved for his son Jehoshaphat. Asa ' s heart was perfect - He worshipped the true God, and zealously promoted his service; see on 1 Kings 15:3 ; (note). And even the high places which he did not remove were probably those where the true God alone was worshipped; for that there were such high places the preceding history amply proves, and Jarchi intimates that these were... read more
Which his father had dedicated - On what account he and his father dedicated the things mentioned below, we know not; but it appears that Asa thought himself bound by the vow of his father. read more
There was war - That is, there was continual enmity; see on 1 Kings 15:6 ; (note). 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, 1 Kings 16:8 , 1 Kings 16:9 , that Elah, the son and successor of Baasha, was killed by Zimri, in the twenty-sixth year of the... read more
And Baasha - built Ramah - As the word signifies a high place, what is here termed Ramah was probably a hill, (commanding a defile through which lay the principal road to Jerusalem), which Baasha fortified in order to prevent all intercourse with the kingdom of Judah, lest his subjects should cleave to the house of David. Ramah was about two leagues northward of Jerusalem. read more
Asa took all the silver - Shishak, king of Egypt, had not taken the whole, or there had been some treasures brought in since that time. Ben-hadad - This was the grandson of Rezon, called here Hezion, who founded the kingdom of Damascus. See 1 Kings 11:23 , 1 Kings 11:24 ; and Calmet. read more
There is a league between me and thee - Or, Let there be a league between me and thee; as there was between my father and thy father. There was no reason why Asa should have emptied his treasures at this time to procure the aid of the Syrian king; as it does not appear that there was any danger which himself could not have turned aside. He probably wished to destroy the kingdom of Israel; and to effect this purpose, even robbed the house of the Lord. read more
Ijon , and Dan , etc. - He appears to have attacked and taken those towns which constituted the principal strength of the kingdom of Israel. read more
Dwelt in Tirzah - This seems to have been the royal city; see 1 Kings 15:33 , and 1 Kings 14:17 ; and in this Baasha was probably obliged to shut himself up. read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 15:12
The sodomites - הקדשים hakkedeshim ; literally, the holy or consecrated ones. See on 1 Kings 14:24 ; (note). read more