1 Kings 16:13

For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.

For all the sins {H2403} of Baasha {H1201}, and the sins {H2403} of Elah {H425} his son {H1121}, by which they sinned {H2398}, and by which they made Israel {H3478} to sin {H2398}, in provoking the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478} to anger {H3707} with their vanities {H1892}.

because of all of Ba'sha's sins and the sins of Elah his son, which they committed and with which they made Isra'el sin, thereby angering ADONAI the God of Isra'el with their worthless idols.

This happened because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols.

for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and wherewith they made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.

Commentary

Context

First Kings chapter 16 details a turbulent period in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, marked by assassinations, short reigns, and continued spiritual decline. Verse 13 serves as a summary judgment on the reigns of King Baasha and his son, Elah. Baasha had seized the throne by killing Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, and subsequently wiped out Jeroboam's entire household, fulfilling a prophecy (see 1 Kings 15:29). However, despite witnessing the consequences of Jeroboam's sin, Baasha himself persisted in the same idolatrous practices. His son, Elah, continued this wicked legacy, leading to their own downfall and the judgment pronounced by the prophet Jehu, son of Hanani (1 Kings 16:1-4).

Key Themes

  • The Perpetuation of Sinful Leadership: Both Baasha and Elah are condemned for their personal sins and, crucially, for causing the nation of Israel to sin. They upheld and enforced the state-sponsored idolatry that began with Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves at Dan and Bethel. This highlights the profound influence and responsibility of those in leadership.
  • God's Anger Against Idolatry: The phrase "provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger" emphasizes God's holy nature and His intolerance for false worship. Idolatry is a direct affront to His sovereignty and character, leading to divine judgment. This reflects a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament, where God's people are warned against turning to other gods (e.g., Deuteronomy 32:21).
  • The Emptiness of Idols ("Vanities"): The term "vanities" (Hebrew: hevel, often meaning "breath," "vapor," or "futility") describes the worthlessness and emptiness of the idols and false gods they worshipped. These objects and the practices associated with them were utterly powerless and offered no true spiritual benefit or salvation, serving only to lead people astray. Prophets frequently derided idols as "nothing" or "vanity" (Jeremiah 10:15).

Linguistic Insights

The word "vanities" (Hebrew: hevel) is a powerful term often used in the Old Testament to describe anything that is empty, futile, or without substance. In the context of idolatry, it underscores the utter worthlessness of the false gods and the worship offered to them. They are not merely alternative deities; they are non-existent, powerless, and ultimately deceiving, leading only to destruction.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of spiritual compromise and the far-reaching consequences of leadership. For believers today, it prompts reflection on:

  • The Impact of Influence: Whether in family, community, or professional settings, our choices and actions can lead others toward or away from God. This is especially true for those in positions of spiritual or moral authority.
  • Identifying Modern "Vanities": While physical idols may not be prevalent for many, anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives—be it wealth, power, pleasure, status, or even self-righteousness—can become a "vanity" that provokes God's displeasure and leads us astray from true worship and obedience.
  • The Unchanging Nature of God: God's demand for exclusive worship and His abhorrence of anything that diminishes His glory remain constant. Understanding this encourages us to pursue a genuine and undivided devotion to Him.
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 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

  • Deuteronomy 32:21

    They have moved me to jealousy with [that which is] not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with [those which are] not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

  • 1 Kings 15:30

    Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.

  • 1 Samuel 12:21

    And turn ye not aside: for [then should ye go] after vain [things], which cannot profit nor deliver; for they [are] vain.

  • Isaiah 41:29

    Behold, they [are] all vanity; their works [are] nothing: their molten images [are] wind and confusion.

  • 2 Kings 17:15

    And they rejected his statutes, and his covenant that he made with their fathers, and his testimonies which he testified against them; and they followed vanity, and became vain, and went after the heathen that [were] round about them, [concerning] whom the LORD had charged them, that they should not do like them.

  • Romans 1:21

    Because that, when they knew God, they glorified [him] not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.

  • Romans 1:23

    And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
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