1 Kings 15:16

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 15:16

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. Baasha did not begin his reign until the third year of Asa, 1 Kings 15:25 and in the first ten years of Asa's reign the land was quiet and free from war, 2 Chronicles 14:1 of which there must be seven in the reign of Baasha, who is here made mention of out of course, for... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 15:16

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

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

And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days [This statement must be compared with 2 Chronicles 14:1 , 2 Chronicles 14:6 , from which we gather that during the first ten years of Asa's reign there cannot have been war, properly so called, between them. Indeed, it would seem from 2 Chronicles 15:19 , 2 Chronicles 16:1 , that it was not until the 36th year of Asa's reign that it first broke out. But these numbers have clearly not escaped corruption (see note... 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

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 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. During the first ten years of Asa’s reign he was little molested 2 Chronicles 14:1, 2 Chronicles 14:6. 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 15:16

war. Only border fighting. No campaign. Compare 1 Kings 15:32 . read more

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