1 Kings 15:19

KJV

[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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible

"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."

Berean Standard Bible

“Let 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.”

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
King Asa of Judah, under siege from Baasha, King of Israel, strategically appeals to Ben-Hadad I, King of Aram (Syria), invoking a historical alliance between their fathers. To secure this renewed pact and persuade Ben-Hadad to renege on his existing treaty with Baasha, Asa dispatches a substantial diplomatic gift of silver and gold, explicitly requesting that Aram attack Israel, thereby compelling Baasha to withdraw from Judah's borders. This pivotal moment underscores Asa's reliance on political maneuvering and earthly wealth rather than divine intervention.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** The verse is situated within the narrative of King Asa's reign over Judah (1 Kings 15:9-24), which initially highlights his commendable efforts to purge idolatry and restore true worship. However, this specific passage marks a significant strategic pivot. Immediately prior, Baasha, King of Israel, had fortified Ramah, a crucial border town just north of Jerusalem, effectively choking off access to Judah's capital and exerting immense pressure. Asa's desperate plea to Ben-Hadad is a direct response to this military threat, revealing his chosen method of defense. The subsequent verses (1 Kings 15:20-22) detail Ben-Hadad's compliance, his attack on Israel, and Baasha's retreat, allowing Asa to dismantle Ramah's fortifications and repurpose its materials. This incident, while militarily successful for Asa, sets the stage for the prophet Hanani's later rebuke in [2 Chronicles 16:7-9](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - Hanani's Rebuke of King Asa"), which critiques Asa's reliance on human alliances over divine trust.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The geopolitical landscape of the ancient Near East was characterized by fluid alliances, constant border skirmishes, and the strategic importance of buffer states. Kings frequently formed and broke treaties (`berit`) based on shifting power dynamics and immediate threats. "Presents" of silver and gold were common diplomatic tools, often functioning as inducements or bribes to secure military aid or shift allegiances. The conflict between Judah and Israel was a persistent feature following the division of the kingdom, marked by territorial disputes and ideological differences. Ramah, located just six miles north of Jerusalem, was strategically vital as it controlled a major north-south road, making its fortification by Baasha a direct and severe threat to Judah's security and economic stability. Asa's appeal to Ben-Hadad I of Aram (Syria), whose capital was Damascus, reflects the common practice of seeking external intervention to tip the regional balance of power.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes prevalent throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. Foremost is the tension between **political pragmatism and divine trust**. While Asa had previously demonstrated profound faith in God, notably in his victory over the Cushites in [2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Trust in God Against the Cushites"), here he opts for a human-centric solution, relying on diplomacy, wealth, and a foreign king rather than seeking God's direct intervention. This decision highlights the **nature of alliances** in the ancient world, revealing them as often opportunistic and easily broken when greater advantage or wealth is offered. Furthermore, the significant "present" of silver and gold, drawn from both sacred and royal treasuries, underscores the **costly nature of worldly solutions** and the lengths to which rulers would go to secure their borders, often at the expense of spiritual principles. This episode serves as a cautionary tale on the dangers of misplaced trust, echoing the broader biblical theme of choosing divine wisdom over human folly.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **League (Hebrew, _berit'_):** This term, often translated as "covenant" or "treaty," signifies a formal, binding agreement between parties. While _berit_ is most famously used to describe God's sacred covenants with humanity (e.g., the Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic, and Davidic covenants), it also applies to political treaties between nations or individuals. In this context, it denotes a solemn, established pact, emphasizing the gravity of Asa's appeal to a pre-existing relationship and Ben-Hadad's subsequent act of breaking his current _berit_ with Baasha. The breaking of such a covenant was a serious matter, often invoking divine judgment.
* **Present (Hebrew, _shochad'_):** While literally meaning "gift," _shochad_ frequently carries the connotation of a "bribe" in biblical texts, especially when given to influence a judgment or action. Here, it is unequivocally a payment intended to induce Ben-Hadad to violate an existing agreement and initiate military action against Baasha. The use of this term highlights the manipulative and transactional nature of Asa's diplomatic strategy, contrasting sharply with the concept of a freely given, benevolent gift. Its source—the temple and royal treasuries—further underscores the desperation and questionable ethics of Asa's approach.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[There is] a league between me and thee, [and] between my father and thy father":** King Asa initiates his appeal by invoking a pre-existing, familial, and dynastic treaty between the kingdoms of Judah and Aram. This appeal to historical precedent and shared ancestral ties served as a powerful rhetorical device, suggesting a basis for loyalty and mutual obligation that transcended immediate political circumstances. It implies that the current rulers should honor the agreements made by their predecessors, providing a veneer of legitimacy to Asa's request.
* **"behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold":** This clause reveals the practical and material component of Asa's diplomatic overture. The "present" (or bribe) of precious metals, explicitly stated as having been dispatched, serves as the tangible incentive for Ben-Hadad to act. It underscores the transactional nature of the proposed alliance, where loyalty and military aid are secured through significant financial inducement rather than pure goodwill or shared values. The source of these riches, later revealed to be from the Lord's temple and the king's palace (1 Kings 15:18), adds a layer of theological critique to Asa's actions.
* **"come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel":** This is the explicit and audacious demand. Asa directly instructs Ben-Hadad to violate his existing treaty obligations with Baasha, King of Israel. This demonstrates the opportunistic and often treacherous nature of ancient Near Eastern political alliances, where agreements could be readily dissolved for strategic advantage or financial gain, highlighting a moral compromise on the part of both Asa and Ben-Hadad.
* **"that he may depart from me":** This final clause states the clear strategic objective of Asa's entire maneuver. His primary goal is to relieve the military pressure exerted by Baasha's fortification of Ramah and force the Israelite king to withdraw his forces from Judah's borders. It reveals the immediate threat Asa faced and the desperate measures he was willing to take to secure his kingdom's safety.

#### Literary Devices
1 Kings 15:19 employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning. There is a strong element of **Irony** present, as King Asa, who had previously demonstrated profound faith and reliance on God for military victory against overwhelming odds (as seen in [2 Chronicles 14:11](/2_chronicles/14-11 "2 Chronicles 14:11 - Asa's Prayer Before Battle")), now resorts to human cunning, political manipulation, and a substantial bribe to a pagan king. This creates a stark **Contrast** with his earlier, more righteous conduct, highlighting a shift in his trust from divine power to earthly resources and alliances. The narrative also uses **Foreshadowing**, as this strategic but spiritually compromised decision sets the stage for Asa's later rebuke by the prophet Hanani ([2 Chronicles 16:7](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7 - Hanani's Rebuke of Asa")), illustrating the long-term consequences of prioritizing human wisdom over divine guidance. The "league" itself, a term often associated with God's sacred covenants, is here used for a broken human pact, subtly underscoring the moral degradation involved.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This passage serves as a poignant theological commentary on the nature of trust and the consequences of misplaced reliance. While Asa's immediate objective was achieved, his method represented a profound departure from the principles of faithful dependence on Yahweh, which had characterized the earlier part of his reign. The narrative implicitly critiques the human tendency to seek security and solutions in worldly power, wealth, and alliances rather than in the sovereign power of God. It underscores that even seemingly pragmatic or successful human strategies can be spiritually bankrupt if they bypass divine counsel and trust. The incident highlights that God desires His people to rely on Him alone for deliverance and provision, rather than depleting sacred resources or engaging in morally ambiguous political maneuvering. This theological principle resonates throughout Scripture, warning against the futility of human strength apart from God.

* [2 Chronicles 16:7-9](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - Hanani's Rebuke of King Asa")
* [Proverbs 3:5-6](/proverbs/3-5 "Proverbs 3:5-6 - Trust in the Lord")
* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to Those Who Go Down to Egypt for Help")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 15:19 offers a timeless and challenging reflection for believers today, prompting us to critically examine the source of our security and solutions in times of distress. Like Asa, we often face formidable "Baashas" in our lives—whether they are financial crises, relational conflicts, health challenges, or professional pressures—that tempt us to bypass divine wisdom for seemingly quicker, more tangible human solutions. The passage compels us to ask whether our first instinct is to "send a present of silver and gold" (i.e., rely on our own resources, connections, or even compromise our values) or to humble ourselves and seek the Lord's intervention and guidance. While prudence and strategic planning are not inherently wrong, Asa's error lay in his *reliance* on these human means *instead* of God, even drawing from sacred temple treasuries. This narrative reminds us that true security and lasting peace are found not in the strength of alliances or the depth of our pockets, but in unwavering faith and obedience to God, who alone is our ultimate deliverer.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **When facing a significant challenge, what is my immediate inclination: to rely on my own resources and ingenuity, or to seek God's wisdom and intervention?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to make a "league" with worldly systems or offer a "present of silver and gold" (i.e., compromise my values or trust in material solutions) rather than trusting God for provision and protection?**
* **How does Asa's seemingly successful but ultimately rebuked action challenge my own definition of "success" and "pragmatism" in the Christian life?**

### FAQ
**Why was King Asa's alliance with Ben-Hadad considered a negative act, especially since it achieved his immediate military objective?**

Answer: While Asa's strategy successfully compelled Baasha to withdraw from Ramah, the biblical narrative, particularly in [2 Chronicles 16:7-9](/2_chronicles/16-7 "2 Chronicles 16:7-9 - Hanani's Rebuke of King Asa"), presents it as a failure of faith. Asa had previously experienced God's miraculous deliverance against a vast Cushite army when he fully trusted Him ([2 Chronicles 14:9-15](/2_chronicles/14-9 "2 Chronicles 14:9-15 - Asa's Trust in God Against the Cushites")). In this instance, he chose to rely on human alliances, political maneuvering, and a substantial bribe (even using sacred temple treasures) rather than seeking God's direct intervention. The act demonstrated a lack of dependence on Yahweh and a preference for worldly solutions, signifying a spiritual decline. God desires His people's trust and obedience, not just successful outcomes achieved through means that compromise their faith or deplete resources dedicated to Him.

**Who was Ben-Hadad I, and what was his kingdom of Aram?**

Answer: Ben-Hadad I was the king of Aram, often referred to as Syria, with his capital city being Damascus. Aram was a powerful kingdom located northeast of Israel and Judah, frequently involved in the regional power struggles of the ancient Near East. Their strategic location and military strength made them a desirable, though often unreliable, ally for both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Ben-Hadad I was a contemporary of King Baasha of Israel and King Asa of Judah, and his kingdom played a significant role in the geopolitical landscape of the 9th century BCE, as evidenced by his ability to shift the balance of power between Israel and Judah.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Asa's strategic maneuver in 1 Kings 15:19, while seemingly pragmatic, ultimately highlights the futility of human solutions apart from divine trust, thereby pointing to the profound need for Christ. Asa sought security in a fragile human "league" and a costly "present," revealing the constant human temptation to rely on earthly power and wealth for deliverance. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of divine trust and the ultimate source of security. He is the faithful covenant-keeper, whose perfect obedience and sacrifice establish an unbreakable new covenant for His people, not through bribes or shifting alliances, but through His own blood ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, the Mediator of a Better Covenant")). Unlike Asa, who depleted sacred treasuries, Christ, "though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that you through his poverty might become rich" ([2 Corinthians 8:9](/2_corinthians/8-9 "2 Corinthians 8:9 - Christ's Poverty for Our Riches")). He is the true deliverer who does not need to manipulate foreign kings but conquers sin, death, and all spiritual enemies by His own authority and power ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Where Asa's trust faltered, leading to a prophetic rebuke, Christ perfectly trusted His Father, even unto death on the cross, demonstrating that true victory and lasting peace are found solely in absolute reliance on God, a reliance He perfectly modeled and now graciously offers to all who believe in Him ([John 14:27](/john/14-27 "John 14:27 - Christ's Gift of Peace")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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

¶ 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

¶ 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.