1 Kings 15 33

1 Kings 15:33 kjv

In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.

1 Kings 15:33 nkjv

In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah became king over all Israel in Tirzah, and reigned twenty-four years.

1 Kings 15:33 niv

In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel in Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years.

1 Kings 15:33 esv

In the third year of Asa king of Judah, Baasha the son of Ahijah began to reign over all Israel at Tirzah, and he reigned twenty-four years.

1 Kings 15:33 nlt

Baasha son of Ahijah began to rule over all Israel in the third year of King Asa's reign in Judah. Baasha reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years.

1 Kings 15 verses

1 Kings 15 33 Meaning

This verse records a key synchronistic chronological event, marking the beginning of Baasha's reign over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It states that Baasha, son of Ahijah, ascended to the throne in the third year of King Asa of Judah, established his capital in Tirzah, and reigned for twenty-four years. It serves as a foundational date for understanding the concurrent reigns and political landscape between the divided kingdoms.

1 Kings 15 33 Context

This verse is situated within the book of 1 Kings, which narrates the history of the united and then divided monarchies of Israel. Chapter 15 specifically details the reign of Abijam and then Asa in Judah, alongside a tumultuous succession of kings in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Prior to Baasha, Nadab, Jeroboam's son, briefly reigned over Israel but was assassinated by Baasha. Baasha's rise represents another violent dynastic change in the Northern Kingdom, a stark contrast to the stable, though sometimes faltering, Davidic line in Judah. The verse functions as a synchronistic anchor, cross-referencing Baasha's reign start with that of King Asa of Judah, providing chronological precision within the parallel histories of the two kingdoms. It introduces a king whose long reign will be marked by conflict with Judah and ultimate divine condemnation due to his continued idolatry.

1 Kings 15 33 Word analysis

• And in the third year of Asa king of Judah:

  • "And" (וּבִשְׁנַ֨ת‎, u-višnat): A simple conjunctive, continuing the historical narrative flow.
  • "third year" (בִּשְׁנַ֣ת‎, bišnat): Specifies the exact year of the Judahite king's reign for chronological alignment. This synchronism is a key feature of the books of Kings, linking the timelines of the two separate kingdoms (Judah and Israel). This precise dating demonstrates a historiographical intent to create a coherent narrative.
  • "Asa king of Judah": Identifies the reigning king of the Southern Kingdom, Judah, part of the continuous Davidic dynasty. Asa is generally depicted as a righteous king, unlike his Northern contemporary. His long reign (41 years) provides a stable timeline against which the instability of the North is measured.

• Baasha the son of Ahijah:

  • "Baasha" (בַּעְשָׁא֙, Ba‘aša): The name can mean "evil-doer" or "one who lays waste." This meaning takes on an ironic and prophetic resonance given Baasha's subsequent reign characterized by evil and ultimately the 'wasting' of his own dynasty by divine judgment (1 Ki 15:34, 16:1-4). He usurped the throne by assassinating Nadab, effectively eliminating Jeroboam's lineage as prophesied by Ahijah the prophet.
  • "the son of Ahijah" (בֶּן־אֲחִיָּה֮‎, ben ’Ăḥiyyāh): This "Ahijah" is Baasha's father and distinct from the prophet Ahijah who prophesied against Jeroboam (1 Ki 11:29ff, 14:1ff). Patronymics establish identity and lineage, though in Baasha's case, his non-royal lineage emphasizes his role as a usurper rather than a legitimate dynastic successor, reflecting the instability in the Northern Kingdom.

• began to reign over all Israel in Tirzah:

  • "began to reign" (מָלַ֤ךְ‎, mālaḵ): Indicates the commencement of his monarchical rule. This act represents a violent overthrow and usurpation (1 Ki 15:27-28), not a divinely appointed succession like in Judah.
  • "over all Israel": Denotes the Northern Kingdom, in contrast to Judah. This emphasizes the continuing division of the original twelve tribes, highlighting the two distinct political entities after the schism under Rehoboam. "All Israel" also emphasizes his complete dominion over the northern tribes.
  • "in Tirzah" (בְתִרְצָה֙, bə-Tirtzāh): The capital city of the Northern Kingdom before Omri moved it to Samaria. Tirzah, meaning "pleasure" or "delight," was known for its beauty. It was the capital under Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, and Zimri. Its eventual abandonment by Omri (1 Ki 16:23-24) signifies another shift in the political and physical landscape of the Northern Kingdom.

• and reigned twenty and four years:

  • "reigned twenty and four years": This specifies the duration of Baasha's rule. A relatively long reign compared to some of his immediate predecessors and successors in Israel, indicating a period of sustained, albeit ungodly, stability for him personally despite the turbulent political environment and his war with Judah. However, the subsequent judgment on his house demonstrates that even long reigns are ultimately subject to God's will. This length provides further chronological data for aligning events between Judah and Israel.

1 Kings 15 33 Bonus section

The books of Kings meticulously track the synchronistic reigns of the Northern and Southern Kingdoms to provide a cohesive historical account of the divided monarchy. This dating system highlights God's overarching sovereignty over both kingdoms, even those, like Israel, that frequently rebelled against His covenant. The emphasis on Tirzah as the capital reinforces the geographic and political identity of Israel during this period, before its eventual move to Samaria under Omri. The naming of the king and his father reflects a common ancient Near Eastern practice to establish legitimacy or simply identity, though for Baasha, his violent ascent undermines any claim to divine legitimacy for his rule, as explicitly stated by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani. The historical record demonstrates how God used even unrighteous rulers like Baasha to fulfill prophecies of judgment, such as the complete destruction of Jeroboam's house, even while holding Baasha accountable for his own wickedness.

1 Kings 15 33 Commentary

1 Kings 15:33 serves as a pivotal synchronistic marker, tying together the parallel historical narratives of Judah and Israel. It introduces Baasha's reign, which begins violently through a regicide, setting a precedent for much of Israel's kingship – marked by instability, coups, and the perpetual cycle of apostasy. Though Baasha ruled for an extensive period, a stark contrast to Nadab whom he overthrew, his reign was ultimately condemned as evil, continuing Jeroboam's idolatrous ways. This verse lays the chronological foundation for understanding the protracted conflict between Baasha and Asa, detailed in subsequent verses, and the unfolding divine judgment on Northern kings for their unfaithfulness.