1 Kings 15:20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 15:9-24

We have here a short account of the reign of Asa; we shall find a more copious history of it 2 Chron. 14:1-16:14 Here is, I. The length of it: He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem, 1 Kgs. 15:10. In the account we have of the kings of Judah we find the number of the good kings and the bad ones nearly equal; but then we may observe, to our comfort, that the reign of the good kings was generally long, but that of the bad kings short, the consideration of which will make the state of God's... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 15:20

So Benhadad hearkened unto King Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel ,.... He broke off his alliance with the king of Israel; and as he had a standing army, with proper officers, he sent them directly to take the cities of Israel: and he smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali ; places which lay on the northern part of Israel, the nearest to Syria. Ijon some place in the tribe of Naphtali,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 15:20

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 15:9-24

Zeal without trust. AN OPPORTUNITY RECOGNIZED AND USED . The need of the time was manfully met. Brought up in an idolatrous home, he nevertheless saw that this sin was sapping the foundation of the nation's stability and strength, and he set himself to root it out. 1 . The land was cleansed from . filthy abomination, from legalized, and even sanctified, sin ("And he took away the Sodomites," etc.) The nation that legalizes sin will reap corruption and shame: that which... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 15:11-26

The Reign of Asa. Though this prince reigned forty and one years—a longer period than any of his predecessors, and, with two exceptions, a longer period than any of the kings who came after him—yet his reign, so far as it is recorded here, may be summed up in few words. "Happy is the nation," it has been said, "which has no history." But happier still the nation whose history, like that of Judah in the time of Asa, may be comprehended under these two heads— internal reforms, and ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 15:16-24

The War Policy of Asa. "Forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem" ( 1 Kings 15:10 ). The evil kings of Judah were about as numerous as the good, but their reigns were shorter. "The wicked do not live out half their days." But though the reign of Asa was long and glorious, his war policy with Baasha was not creditable. I. THE OBJECT WAS RIGHT . 1 . The war was provoked by the enemy . 2 . It was provoked by impious intention . II. THE MEANS WERE WRONG ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 15:20

So [Heb. and ] Ben-hadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains [or princes; same word as in 1 Kings 22:31 ; cf. 1 Kings 20:24 ] of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon [now represented by Tell Dibbin, a mound near the north end of the Merj 'Ayun (which probably preserves the name), a "meadow of fountains," a few miles northwest of Daniel This hill would offer a commanding site for a stronghold, and traces are found there of a large and... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 15:20

Ijon is probably marked by the ruins called “Tel-Dibbin,” which are situated a few miles northwest of the site of Dan, in a fertile and beautiful little plain which bears the name of “Merj’ Ayun” or “meadow of fountains.” On Abel-beth-maachah, or Abel-maim (“Abel-on-the waters”) and Dan, see the marginal referencesFor Cinneroth or Genesareth see Joshua 11:2. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 15:20-21

1 Kings 15:20-21. And smote Ijon and Dan, &c. He fell upon the northern part of the kingdom of Israel, which was nearest to Damascus; while Baasha was busy at Ramah, which was in the more southern part. And dwelt in Tirzah Now the royal city of Israel. There he abode to defend his own kingdoms, and durst not return to oppose Asa, lest the Syrian king should make a second invasion. So Asa met with success in this ungodly course, as good men sometimes meet with disappointment in a good... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 15:9-24

Asa’s reformation in Judah (15:9-24)Judah’s new king, Asa, spent the first ten years of his reign getting rid of Canaanite religious practices and strengthening the nation’s defences. Strong faith and a strong fighting force enabled him to defeat a huge army that invaded Judah from the south. Plunder seized at the time enriched Judah considerably (2 Chronicles 14:1-15).A prophet pointed out how this victory proved that, as in the time of the judges, God blessed those who trusted in him in their... read more

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