January 3, 2025, 1 Kings 15:16-24

January 3, 2025, 1 Kings 15:16-24

16  And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.  17  Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might permit no one to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.  18  Then Asa took all the silver and the gold that were left in the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house and gave them into the hands of his servants. And King Asa sent them to Ben-hadad

the son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who lived in Damascus, saying,  19  “Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father. Behold, I am sending to you a present of silver and gold. Go, break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”  20  And Ben-hadad listened to King Asa and sent the commanders of his armies against the cities of Israel and conquered Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.  21  And when Baasha heard of it, he stopped building Ramah, and he lived in Tirzah.  22  Then King Asa made a proclamation to all Judah, none was exempt, and they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, with which Baasha had been building, and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.  23  Now the rest of all the acts of Asa, all his might, and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they

not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? But in his old age he was diseased in his feet.  24  And Asa slept with his fathers and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.

 

These verses state that Asa buys the favor of Ben-Hadad, King of Syria thus halting the building of Ramah by Baasha who was unable to stand against Asa with Syria.  Asa dies with a foot ailment, was buried in the city of David his father, and Jehoshaphat, his son became king.  One must ponder if there’s a bit more to this set of verses.  We’ve read that Asa was wholly devoted in the fact that he refused to worship another God.  Yet, how committed is Asa to fully trusting God?  Did he seek God or man when his kingdom was threatened?  Did he seek healing for God for his foot disease?  Perhaps we see a man who was not fully committed to trusting the God he claimed to worship. 

 

Did he seek man’s advice and help before God’s? 

Can you identify with Asa in any way?  

Can we worship God and not fully commit to trusting and serving Him? 

 

Think about these questions and ask yourself where your trust and faith lies.  Do you fully commit your faith and trust in Jesus Christ?

 

Robin Adams