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1 Kings 15:22

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Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none [was] exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Then king {H4428} Asa {H609} made a proclamation {H8085} throughout all Judah {H3063}; none was exempted {H5355}: and they took {H5375} away the stones {H68} of Ramah {H7414}, and the timber {H6086} thereof, wherewith Baasha {H1201} had builded {H1129}; and king {H4428} Asa {H609} built {H1129} with them Geba {H1387} of Benjamin {H1144}, and Mizpah {H4709}.

King Asa then issued a proclamation requiring every man in Y'hudah, with no exception, to come and carry off the stones and timber Ba'sha had used to fortify Ramah. With them King Asa fortified Geva of Binyamin and Mitzpah.

Then King Asa summoned all the men of Judah, with no exceptions, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timbers Baasha had used for building. And with these materials King Asa built up Geba of Benjamin, as well as Mizpah.

Then king Asa made a proclamation unto all Judah; none was exempted: and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built therewith Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.

Commentary

1 Kings 15:22 details a significant strategic maneuver by King Asa of Judah, demonstrating his leadership and the collective effort of his kingdom in a time of conflict.

Context of 1 Kings 15:22

This verse is situated within the ongoing tensions between the divided kingdoms of Judah (the Southern Kingdom, led by King Asa) and Israel (the Northern Kingdom, under King Baasha). King Baasha had begun fortifying Ramah, a strategically important town located just a few miles north of Jerusalem. His intention was to create a stronghold that would blockade Judah and prevent his subjects from moving south to Jerusalem, where the Temple and its legitimate worship were centered. However, an alliance forged by Asa with Ben-hadad, king of Syria, led Ben-hadad to attack various cities in Israel (1 Kings 15:20). This external threat forced Baasha to abandon his building project at Ramah and return to defend his own territory, leaving his construction materials behind.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Strategic Acumen: King Asa displayed shrewd military and logistical intelligence. Rather than simply celebrating Baasha's retreat, he capitalized on the abandoned resources. He mobilized his entire kingdom to dismantle the enemy's partially built fortification and repurpose the materials for Judah's own defense.
  • National Mobilization: The phrase "none was exempted" underscores the complete and unified effort of the people of Judah. This was a national undertaking, highlighting strong leadership and a shared commitment to national security and resilience. It speaks to the power of collective action when a people are united under a common cause.
  • Turning Adversity into Advantage: Asa effectively transformed a threat (Baasha's fortification of Ramah) into a significant asset for Judah. The very stones and timber intended to oppress Judah were used to strengthen its own border towns, Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah. This reflects a biblical principle of God's ability to work all things for good for those who trust Him, as Asa had largely sought the Lord earlier in his reign (2 Chronicles 14:11).

Linguistic Insight

The KJV phrase "none was exempted" translates the Hebrew *lo' niqqa* (לֹא נִקָּה), which literally means "none was cleared" or "none was left free." This emphasizes that the conscription for this national project was absolute and universal, indicating the urgency and paramount importance of the task at hand for the entire kingdom of Judah.

Practical Application

This historical account in 1 Kings 15:22 offers valuable lessons for believers today:

  • Resourcefulness and Resilience: Just as Asa repurposed the enemy's materials, we are called to be resourceful in our own lives, seeking to turn challenges or even negative circumstances into opportunities for growth, learning, or building up what is good.
  • Unity in Purpose: The "none exempted" proclamation serves as a powerful reminder of the strength and effectiveness that come from collective effort and unity in pursuing a common, righteous goal within a community or the church.
  • Strategic Action: While our battles are not typically physical, believers are called to spiritual vigilance and strategic action against spiritual adversaries (Ephesians 6:11-12). We can learn from Asa's proactive defense and his ability to turn the tide in his favor.

This event marks a high point in Asa's reign where his leadership and general reliance on God led to significant strategic success, even though later in his life he would unfortunately choose to rely on human alliances over God's help (2 Chronicles 16:7-9).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joshua 21:17 (5 votes)

    And out of the tribe of Benjamin, Gibeon with her suburbs, Geba with her suburbs,

  • Joshua 18:24 (4 votes)

    And Chepharhaammonai, and Ophni, and Gaba; twelve cities with their villages:

  • Joshua 18:26 (3 votes)

    And Mizpeh, and Chephirah, and Mozah,

  • 1 Samuel 7:5 (2 votes)

    And Samuel said, Gather all Israel to Mizpeh, and I will pray for you unto the LORD.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:6 (2 votes)

    Then Asa the king took all Judah; and they carried away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha was building; and he built therewith Geba and Mizpah.

  • Jeremiah 40:6 (2 votes)

    Then went Jeremiah unto Gedaliah the son of Ahikam to Mizpah; and dwelt with him among the people that were left in the land.

  • Jeremiah 40:10 (2 votes)

    As for me, behold, I will dwell at Mizpah to serve the Chaldeans, which will come unto us: but ye, gather ye wine, and summer fruits, and oil, and put [them] in your vessels, and dwell in your cities that ye have taken.