1 Kings 15 17

1 Kings 15:17 kjv

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:17 nkjv

And Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:17 niv

Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent anyone from leaving or entering the territory of Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:17 esv

Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

1 Kings 15:17 nlt

King Baasha of Israel invaded Judah and fortified Ramah in order to prevent anyone from entering or leaving King Asa's territory in Judah.

1 Kings 15 verses

1 Kings 15 17 Meaning

The verse describes an act of war by Baasha, king of the northern kingdom of Israel, against Asa, king of the southern kingdom of Judah. Baasha initiated an offensive, advancing into Judah and fortifying Ramah, a strategic city, with the clear purpose of imposing a blockade. This move was intended to prevent any movement of people, goods, or resources into or out of Asa's kingdom, particularly targeting access to Jerusalem and the heart of Judah. It was an act designed to isolate and exert economic and military pressure on Judah.

1 Kings 15 17 Context

The setting for 1 Kings 15:17 is the divided kingdom period, marked by constant hostility between the northern kingdom of Israel (ruled by Baasha) and the southern kingdom of Judah (ruled by Asa). King Asa had embarked on a period of religious reform, removing idolatry from Judah and seeking to restore true worship of Yahweh. Despite these initial positive steps, the political climate remained volatile. Baasha's aggressive fortification of Ramah, strategically located on the border of Judah about five miles north of Jerusalem, was a direct military maneuver designed to choke off Judah. By controlling Ramah, Baasha effectively cut off the main north-south road, restricting movement, trade, and communication for Asa's kingdom. This act presented a critical challenge to Asa's reign, forcing him to respond, and ultimately setting the stage for his reliance on a foreign alliance rather than solely on divine intervention, a decision for which he would later be rebuked by a prophet (2 Chr 16). The conflict reflects the tragic outcome of the kingdom's division and the persistent unfaithfulness of its kings to God's covenant.

1 Kings 15 17 Word analysis

• And Baasha: (Hebrew: וּבַעְשָׁא - u'va'asha). Baasha, king of Israel, seized the throne through regicide (killing Nadab, Jeroboam's son), fulfilling a divine prophecy against Jeroboam's house (1 Ki 15:29). His reign was marked by persistent warfare with Judah.

• king of Israel: Denotes his authority over the northern kingdom, emphasizing the enduring political and spiritual schism following the division of Solomon's kingdom. This reinforces the narrative of constant internecine conflict.

• went up: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַל - vay'ya'al). A common biblical term indicating a military advance or ascent, often implying an attack from a lower or distant location towards a higher or more significant one (like Jerusalem). It signifies an aggressive initiative.

• against Judah: Pinpoints the direct target of Baasha's aggression. Judah represented the remnant of David's house and the true lineage for the Messiah.

• and built: (Hebrew: וַיִּבֶן - vay'yi'ven). To construct, fortify, or repair. In this context, it implies military construction, erecting fortifications to make Ramah a stronghold. This was a calculated act of aggression, not merely civilian construction.

• Ramah: (Hebrew: הָרָמָה - ha'ramah). Literally "the height." A prominent town in the territory of Benjamin, strategically positioned along the central north-south ridge route connecting Jerusalem to the northern kingdom. Its control was crucial for regulating access. It holds prophetic significance (Jer 31:15, Matt 2:18), often associated with lamentation and tragedy.

• to suffer no one: (Hebrew: לְבִלְתִּי תֵּת - l'vilti tet). Literally "so as not to give (allow)." This explicitly states Baasha's strategic intention: to prevent any passage.

• to go out: (Hebrew: יֹצֵא - yo'tseh). Refers to outgoing movement, including trade, travel, military deployment, and communication from Judah.

• or come in: (Hebrew: וָבָא - va'va). Refers to incoming movement, including supplies, reinforcements, information, and people into Judah.

• to Asa king of Judah: Clearly identifies the intended victim and the target of the blockade, highlighting the personal animosity and political struggle between the two monarchs. Asa was king of the legitimate Davidic line.

• "And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah": This phrase sets the stage for military confrontation between the two Hebrew kingdoms, emphasizing the continued division and the inherent conflict stemming from the rejection of God's chosen Davidic line by the northern kingdom.

• "and built Ramah, to suffer no one to go out or come in": This passage details the precise nature of Baasha's strategic move. He was not merely raiding but establishing a permanent stronghold to impose an economic and logistical blockade on Judah, demonstrating a calculated and long-term hostile intent. The control of a key transit point was paramount in ancient warfare to starve or isolate an opponent.

1 Kings 15 17 Bonus section

• Strategic Importance of Ramah: Ramah's location, being merely a few miles north of Jerusalem on the main trade route, made its fortification a direct threat to Judah's capital. Control of Ramah meant control over economic arteries, trade routes, and movement of people between the northern and southern parts of the country. This act was akin to placing a chokehold on Jerusalem itself.
• Asa's Response: The immediate consequence of Baasha's aggression at Ramah (described in the following verses, 1 Ki 15:18-20 and 2 Chr 16:2-6) was King Asa's desperate counter-move. Instead of relying solely on God, he emptied the treasuries of the Lord's house and his own palace to bribe Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), to attack Baasha from the north. This diversion caused Baasha to withdraw from Ramah, allowing Asa to dismantle Baasha's fortifications and reuse the building materials for his own defensive building projects at Geba and Mizpah.
• Theological Implications of Asa's Action: While militarily effective, Asa's alliance with Aram was later condemned by the prophet Hanani (2 Chr 16:7-10). Hanani chastised Asa for relying on a pagan king rather than trusting in the Lord, pointing out that God's eyes "run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him." This incident highlights a recurring biblical theme: the temptation for God's people to trust in human power and alliances instead of divine providence, often leading to spiritual decline.
• Polemics against Division: The perpetual conflict described in this chapter, rooted in Baasha's aggression and Asa's response, serves as a poignant illustration of the destructive consequences of the kingdom's division. The schism, initiated by Jeroboam's rebellion and idol worship, perpetually weakened both kingdoms and led to ongoing bloodshed, a stark contrast to the united and divinely-blessed kingdom under David and Solomon (initially). It implicitly critiques the rejection of the unified Davidic monarchy, chosen by God.

1 Kings 15 17 Commentary

1 Kings 15:17 succinctly details a critical juncture in the conflict between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Baasha's fortification of Ramah was a brilliant yet aggressive military strategy. By controlling this crucial pass, he aimed to effectively besiege Judah by strangling its lifelines, disrupting trade, communication, and free movement to and from Jerusalem. This act presented King Asa with an existential threat, demanding an immediate and decisive response. The verse not only highlights the ongoing animosity and warfare between the divided nations, which were intended to be one people under God, but also sets the scene for Asa's controversial choice to forge an alliance with a foreign pagan king (Ben-Hadad of Aram), reflecting a growing reliance on human might rather than steadfast faith in God during times of crisis, a point critically noted in the parallel account of 2 Chronicles.