1 Kings 16:5

KJV

Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Baasha {H1201}, and what he did {H6213}, and his might {H1369}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Ba'sha, his accomplishments and his power are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Baasha, along with his accomplishments and might, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

American Standard Version

Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 16:5 serves as a concluding formula for the reign of Baasha, the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel, signaling the end of the summary of his rule. This verse indicates that the biblical narrative is selective in its historical presentation, pointing to external, likely official, state records—"the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel"—as the repository for further details concerning Baasha's "acts" and "might," thereby emphasizing the theological rather than exhaustive historical purpose of the Books of Kings.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse marks the formal conclusion of the biblical account of Baasha's reign, immediately preceding the record of his death and the subsequent succession of his son, Elah, to the throne in [1 Kings 16:6](/1_kings/16-6 "1 Kings 16:6 - Elah Succeeds Baasha"). Baasha's rise to power was violent, involving a coup against Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, which directly fulfilled the prophecy delivered by Ahijah against Jeroboam's house, as detailed in [1 Kings 15:29](/1_kings/15-29 "1 Kings 15:29 - Ahijah's Prophecy Fulfilled"). His 24-year rule (c. 909-886 BC) was largely characterized by continuous conflict with Asa, king of Judah, particularly concerning control over the strategic border city of Ramah, a conflict highlighted in [1 Kings 15:32](/1_kings/15-32 "1 Kings 15:32 - War Between Asa and Baasha"). The formulaic nature of this verse, which recurs throughout the Books of Kings, serves as a narrative device to transition from one monarch's story to the next, while simultaneously acknowledging the existence of more comprehensive historical documentation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Baasha governed the northern kingdom of Israel during a tumultuous period marked by significant political instability and a pervasive moral and spiritual decline following the division of the united monarchy. The phrase "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (and its parallel for Judah) refers to official state annals or court records, a common feature of ancient Near Eastern kingdoms. These chronicles typically contained meticulous documentation of military campaigns, building projects, administrative decisions, and other significant events of a king's reign. The biblical authors, writing at a later time, likely had access to such records. They utilized these sources selectively, incorporating only those details that served their overarching theological agenda: to demonstrate God's sovereignty over human history, to illustrate the consequences of covenant faithfulness or apostasy, and to highlight the unfolding of His prophetic word, particularly evident in the prophetic condemnations against kings like Baasha, as seen in [1 Kings 16:1-4](/1_kings/16-1-4 "1 Kings 16:1-4 - Jehu's Prophecy Against Baasha").

* **Key Themes:** This verse, and the recurring formula it embodies, underscores several crucial themes within the Books of Kings. Firstly, it highlights the **selectivity of Scripture**. The Bible is not presented as an exhaustive historical encyclopedia but rather as a divinely inspired theological history, focusing intently on God's interaction with His people and the spiritual ramifications of their choices. The explicit mention of external chronicles implies that much secular detail is deliberately omitted because it is not pertinent to the sacred narrative's central purpose. Secondly, it subtly affirms the **historical grounding and reliability** of the biblical account; by referencing external records, the narrative implicitly suggests its rootedness in verifiable historical events, even as it interprets them from a divine perspective. Thirdly, it speaks to **divine sovereignty and judgment**, as even the "acts" and "might" of kings, though recorded in secular annals, are ultimately viewed through the lens of God's overarching plan and judgment.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Acts (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_):** From H1697, this term, often translated as "word" or "matter," here refers to the totality of a king's deeds, accomplishments, and significant events during his reign. It encompasses his administrative decisions, military campaigns, alliances, and any other notable actions that defined his rule. In the context of "chronicles," it implies a comprehensive record of his public life and governance.
* **Might (Hebrew, _gᵉbûwrâh'_):** From H1369, this word denotes strength, power, and valor, particularly in a military context. It refers to a king's prowess in battle, his military achievements, and the display of his power through conquest or defense. The inclusion of "might" in the formula suggests that the chronicles would have detailed Baasha's military exploits and the extent of his dominion.
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _dâbâr'_ and _yôwm'_):** This phrase, literally "words of the days," refers to official historical records or annals, often meticulously kept by scribes in the royal court. These were not merely personal diaries but state-sponsored documents intended to preserve the memory of a king's reign for posterity. The biblical authors drew upon these as source material, demonstrating their engagement with existing historical documentation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the rest of the acts of Baasha":** This introductory phrase signals a narrative transition, indicating that the preceding biblical account has covered the most theologically significant aspects of Baasha's reign, but that other, less pertinent details, exist elsewhere. "Acts" refers to the full scope of his deeds and accomplishments.
* **"and what he did, and his might":** This clause serves to expand upon and reinforce the preceding "acts," emphasizing both the general conduct of his rule ("what he did") and his specific displays of power, particularly military strength and valor ("his might"). This tripartite description aims for comprehensiveness regarding his public life and achievements.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?":** This rhetorical question functions as both an affirmation and a direct reference. It confirms that the detailed historical record of Baasha's reign, beyond what is presented in the biblical narrative, can be found in the official state archives of the northern kingdom. It highlights the biblical author's reliance on, and selective use of, external historical sources.

#### Literary Devices
The most prominent literary device in 1 Kings 16:5 is the **rhetorical question**, "are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?" This is not a genuine inquiry but a declarative statement framed as a question, designed to emphasize that the information is readily available elsewhere. It functions as a **formulaic conclusion** to a king's reign, a recurring literary convention found throughout the Books of Kings and Chronicles. This **recurring formula** serves several key purposes: it provides a consistent structure for the historical narrative, signals the transition from one reign to the next, and crucially, underscores the selective nature of the biblical account, directing readers to more exhaustive secular records while maintaining the narrative's distinct theological focus. It also subtly employs **intertextuality**, referencing external, non-canonical historical documents as a source of information.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 16:5, though seemingly a mere administrative note, profoundly illustrates the Bible's unique approach to history. It is not an exhaustive chronicle of every event but a divinely inspired narrative that meticulously selects and interprets history through a theological lens. The biblical authors were not merely historians but profound theologians, discerning God's sovereign hand in the rise and fall of kings, the inevitable consequences of idolatry, and the unfolding of His covenant purposes. By referencing external "chronicles," the text implicitly affirms the historical reality of the events while simultaneously asserting its own distinct, spiritual purpose: to reveal God's character, His righteous judgment, and His unwavering faithfulness to His word, even amidst pervasive human rebellion and apostasy. This intentional selectivity ensures that the reader's focus remains squarely on the spiritual lessons and God's sovereign involvement, rather than becoming lost in mundane historical minutiae.

* [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The Abundance of Unrecorded Deeds")
* [Luke 1:1-4](/luke/1-1-4 "Luke 1:1-4 - Luke's Purpose in Writing")
* [2 Timothy 3:16-17](/2_timothy/3-16-17 "2 Timothy 3:16-17 - All Scripture is God-Breathed")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This seemingly mundane verse offers profound insights for contemporary believers. It serves as a powerful reminder that the Bible's primary purpose is not to satisfy our historical curiosity about every detail of ancient kingdoms, but rather to reveal God's eternal character, His perfect will, and His redemptive plan for all humanity. Just as the chroniclers of Israel selectively recorded events to highlight God's interaction with His people and His unfolding purposes, so too should we approach Scripture with a discerning eye, seeking its overarching theological message and its transformative implications for our lives. This verse encourages us to trust in the Bible's reliability, knowing that its authors were grounded in verifiable historical reality, even as they presented a divinely inspired interpretation. Ultimately, it calls us to recognize God's sovereign hand in all of history, from the grand narratives of nations and empires to the minutiae of individual lives, affirming that He is working all things according to His wise and perfect purpose, even when we only perceive fragments of the larger, unfolding story.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's selectivity in historical reporting challenge our expectations of what "history" should be, and how does it reshape our understanding of divine revelation?**
* **In what specific ways does recognizing the Bible's theological purpose deepen our appreciation for its message and its relevance to our daily lives?**
* **How can we apply the principle of God's sovereignty over the "acts" and "might" of ancient kings to our understanding of current world events and the leaders of our time?**

### FAQ
**What were "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" and "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah"?**

Answer: These were official state annals or court records meticulously maintained by scribes in the royal palaces of the divided kingdoms of Israel (the northern kingdom) and Judah (the southern kingdom). They contained detailed accounts of each king's reign, including administrative decrees, building projects, military campaigns, treaties, and other significant public events. The biblical authors of the Books of Kings and Chronicles used these extensive archives as primary source material, selectively extracting and interpreting information that served their theological purpose of demonstrating God's covenant relationship with Israel, illustrating the consequences of obedience and disobedience, and highlighting the fulfillment of prophecy. It is important to note that these secular chronicles are distinct from the biblical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles, though the latter also drew upon similar historical records. The biblical narrative, while rooted in these historical facts, elevates them to reveal God's ultimate hand in human affairs.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 16:5 directly concerns the historical record of an Old Testament king, its underlying principle of God's sovereign oversight and the selective nature of divine revelation finds profound fulfillment in Christ. The "acts" and "might" of earthly kings, however impressive or consequential, ultimately pale in comparison to the "acts" and "might" of God Himself, supremely revealed in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Testament chronicles recorded the reigns of flawed human rulers, often marked by sin and failure, but the New Testament presents the eternal reign of the perfect King, whose ultimate "acts" include His atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of humanity ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice for Sin")) and whose supreme "might" is powerfully demonstrated in His triumphant resurrection from the dead and His ascension to the right hand of God ([Ephesians 1:19-20](/ephesians/1-19-20 "Ephesians 1:19-20 - God's Mighty Power in Christ's Resurrection")). Just as the Old Testament authors selectively highlighted what was pertinent to God's redemptive plan, so too the Gospels do not provide an exhaustive biography of Jesus but focus precisely on His essential words, miraculous deeds, sacrificial death, and glorious resurrection—the foundational truths for salvation and eternal life ([John 20:30-31](/john/20-30-31 "John 20:30-31 - Purpose of John's Gospel")). All of history, including the reigns of kings like Baasha, ultimately points forward to or finds its ultimate meaning and culmination in the cosmic reign of the [Lord Jesus Christ](/philippians/2-9-11 "Philippians 2:9-11 - Christ's Exaltation and Lordship"), the true King of kings and Lord of lords, who holds all power and authority ([Revelation 19:16](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings and Lord of Lords")).

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

1 Kings 15:31

Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

1 Kings 14:19

And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

2 Chronicles 16:1

¶ In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

2 Chronicles 16:6

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.