1 Kings 15:19

[There is] a league between me and thee, [and] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

There is a league {H1285} between me and thee, and between my father {H1} and thy father {H1}: behold, I have sent {H7971} unto thee a present {H7810} of silver {H3701} and gold {H2091}; come {H3212} and break {H6565} thy league {H1285} with Baasha {H1201} king {H4428} of Israel {H3478}, that he may depart {H5927} from me.

"There is a covenant between me and you, which existed already between my father and your father. Here, I am sending you a present of silver and gold; go, and break your covenant with Ba'sha king of Isra'el, so that he will leave me alone."

โ€œLet there be a treaty between me and you, between my father and your father. See, I have sent you a gift of silver and gold. Now go and break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.โ€

There is a league between me and thee, between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

Commentary

1 Kings 15:19 records a pivotal moment in the reign of King Asa of Judah, illustrating his strategic (and questionable) political maneuvering against Baasha, King of Israel.

Context of 1 Kings 15:19

This verse describes King Asa of Judah initiating a diplomatic and military strategy. Judah was engaged in constant warfare with the northern kingdom of Israel, led by King Baasha. Baasha had fortified Ramah, a strategic location close to Jerusalem, posing a direct threat to Judah. In response, King Asa sought an alliance with Ben-Hadad I, the King of Syria (also known as Aram), whose capital was Damascus. Asa appeals to a historical "league" or treaty that existed between their fathers, likely referring to previous alliances between Judah and Aram. To persuade Ben-Hadad to break his existing treaty with Baasha, Asa sent a substantial "present" of silver and gold, taken from the treasuries of the Lord's temple and the royal palace.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Political Pragmatism vs. Divine Trust: Asa's action here highlights a shift from his earlier reliance on God, as seen when he prayed to God for victory against the vast Ethiopian army. In this instance, he chose to lean on human alliances and wealth rather than seeking God's direct intervention against Baasha. This decision is later rebuked by the prophet Hanani (2 Chronicles 16:7).
  • The Nature of Alliances: The verse demonstrates the fluid and often self-serving nature of political alliances in the ancient Near East. Treaties ("leagues") could be broken for strategic advantage, especially when enticed by wealth or a perceived greater threat.
  • Costly Solutions: Asa's "present" was a significant bribe, depleting sacred and royal treasuries. This illustrates the high cost of worldly solutions and the lengths to which kings would go to secure their borders.

Linguistic Insights

The term "league" in Hebrew is berit (ื‘ึฐึผืจึดื™ืช), which signifies a covenant or treaty. While it often refers to God's covenant with His people, here it denotes a formal agreement between nations. The "present" (ืฉึนืื—ึทื“, shochad) can also be translated as a bribe, highlighting the manipulative nature of Asa's offering to Ben-Hadad.

Practical Application

1 Kings 15:19 serves as a cautionary tale for believers today. It prompts us to examine where we place our trust when facing challenges. Do we first turn to human strategies, financial resources, or powerful connections, or do we seek God's wisdom and intervention? While prudence and planning are important, the passage reminds us of the paramount importance of trusting in the Lord with all our heart and not leaning on our own understanding. Relying on worldly means may offer temporary relief, but true security and lasting peace come from walking in obedience and faith toward God.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash 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 โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Samuel 21:2

    And the king called the Gibeonites, and said unto them; (now the Gibeonites [were] not of the children of Israel, but of the remnant of the Amorites; and the children of Israel had sworn unto them: and Saul sought to slay them in his zeal to the children of Israel and Judah.)

  • Ezekiel 17:13

    And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:

  • Ezekiel 17:16

    [As] I live, saith the Lord GOD, surely in the place [where] the king [dwelleth] that made him king, whose oath he despised, and whose covenant he brake, [even] with him in the midst of Babylon he shall die.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:7

    ยถ And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.

  • Isaiah 31:1

    ยถ Woe to them that go down to Egypt for help; and stay on horses, and trust in chariots, because [they are] many; and in horsemen, because they are very strong; but they look not unto the Holy One of Israel, neither seek the LORD!

  • Romans 3:8

    And not [rather], (as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say,) Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.

  • 2 Chronicles 16:3

    [There is] a league between me and thee, as [there was] between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
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