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, (<111525>1 Kings 15:25) and in the first ten years of Asa’s reign the land was quiet and free from war, (<141401>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 Nadab reigned before him, (<111525>1 Kings 15:25-27), the reason of which Abarbinel thinks is, that the historian, having given an account of the good deeds of Asa, relates his failings…”

“there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days--Asa enjoyed a ten years' peace after Jeroboam's defeat by Abijam, and this interval was wisely and energetically spent in making internal reforms, as well as increasing the means of national defense (Ch2 14:1-7). In the fifteenth year of his reign, however, the king of Israel commenced hostilities against him, and, invading his kingdom, erected a strong fortress at Ramah, which was near Gibeah, and only six Roman miles from Jerusalem. Afraid lest his subjects might quit his kingdom and return to the worship of their fathers, he wished to cut off all intercourse between the two nations. Ramah stood on an eminence overhanging…”

“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. return to 'Top of Page'”

“15:16 Baasha began to reign in Asa’s third year (15:33); when Baasha was established, Judah faced renewed hostilities with Israel. Asa also withstood an attack by Zerah the Ethiopian (2 Chr 14:9-12), who was apparently a commander in the service of Pharaoh Osorkon I (924–889 BC). Asa and his troops won a great victory and took vast plunder from Zerah’s forces and from towns in the Negev that probably launched the Egyptian invasion.”

“Kg1 15:6, Kg1 15:7, Kg1 15:32, Kg1 14:30; Ch2 16:1-6 3 Kings (1 Kings) 15:17”