Abijam reigns three years over Judah, walking in all his father's sins; yet for David's sake the LORD gives him a lamp in Jerusalem. He wars with Jeroboam. Asa his son reigns forty-one years doing right, removing cult prostitutes, Maacah his grandmother from queen mother status for her Asherah pole, and all his father's idols. He brings dedicated items into the temple but does not remove high places. When Baasha of Israel fortifies Ramah against Judah, Asa sends temple and palace silver to Ben-hadad of Damascus, who breaks his treaty with Israel and strikes northern cities; Asa uses Ramah's materials to fortify Geba and Mizpah. In Israel, Nadab reigns two years until Baasha conspires, kills him, and exterminates Jeroboam's house as prophesied. Baasha reigns twenty-four years in Tirzah, walking in Jeroboam's way.
Read 1 Kings Chapter 15 Summary
Characters in This Chapter
David's son, wisest and wealthiest king, builder of the temple, but later fell into idolatry
Prophet who confronted Baal worship and demonstrated God's power on Mount Carmel
Wicked king of Israel who promoted Baal worship through his wife Jezebel
Ahab's Phoenician wife who promoted Baal worship and persecuted God's prophets
Solomon's son whose harsh policies caused the kingdom to divide
Son of Jacob, Ancestor of David and Christ
Rebellious Son of David
King of Israel
Youngest Son of Jacob
Righteous King of Judah
Son of Aaron who Offered Strange Fire
Places in This Chapter
Ramah (also Ramathaim-zophim) was the hometown of Samuel the prophet. He lived here, judged Israel from here, and was buried here. It was a center for the prophets and the school of prophets. Saul first met Samuel here when searching for his father's donkeys.
Damascus is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and plays a significant role in biblical history. It was on the road to Damascus that Saul of Tarsus had his dramatic encounter with the risen Christ and was converted, becoming the apostle Paul. The prophet Elijah was told to anoint Hazael as king of Syria in Damascus. The city is mentioned throughout both the Old and New Testaments.
Position in Book
Various kings, mostly evil in the north, with Asa as a faithful king in Judah.