Nadab’s Evil Reign in Israel
December 26, 2019
Commentary
This passage of scripture now returns to the history of Israel. The heir apparent to Israel’s throne, Abijah, had died in childhood. Therefore, his brother Nadab ascended to the throne. His reign lasted for less than two years (vv. 25-32). He continued the policies begun by his father Jeroboam which the Lord regarded as evil.
Conspiracy erupted into action as Baasha killed Nadab on the battlefield of Gibbethon which was between Efkron and Gezer (vv. 33-34). Baasha then became king of Israel. In order to insure his position he annihilated all of the members of Jeroboam’s household. This actually fulfilled the prophecy of Abijah that Jeroboam’s dynasty would be destroyed (l4:l4).
Baasha took the throne of Israel in the third year of Asa, the king of Judah, and he ruled for 24 years. He continued the religious policies begun by leaders in Jerusalem. He was so wicked that God sent his prophet Jehu (l6:l) to denounce his wickedness and announce the coming of his line of royal succession.
Seemingly, Baasha’s reign of 24 years and should be recognized by more than this brief account. However, the scriptural principle seems to be that a life lived out of fellowship with God is of little importance. Baasha was followed by his son, Elath, who extended his power by about one year.
Application
All of the descendants of Jeroboam were killed because Jeroboam had led Israel into sin. If I take the responsibility for leading others, I must remember the consequences of leading them astray.
1 Kings 15:25– 34 (NET)
25 In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Jeroboam’s son Nadab became the king of Israel; he ruled Israel for two years. 26 He did evil in the sight of the Lord. He followed in his father’s footsteps and encouraged Israel to sin.
27 Baasha son of Ahijah, from the tribe of Issachar, conspired against Nadab and assassinated him in Gibbethon, which was in Philistine territory. This happened while Nadab and all the Israelite army were besieging Gibbethon. 28 Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah and replaced him as king. 29 When he became king, he executed Jeroboam’s entire family. He wiped out everyone who breathed, in keeping with the Lord’s message that he had spoken through his servant Ahijah the Shilonite. 30 This happened because of the sins which Jeroboam committed and which he made Israel commit. These sins angered the Lord God of Israel.
31 The rest of the events of Nadab’s reign, including all his accomplishments, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. 32 Asa and King Baasha of Israel were continually at war with each other.
33 In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king over all Israel in Tirzah; he ruled for twenty-four years. 34 He did evil in the sight of the Lord; he followed in Jeroboam’s footsteps and encouraged Israel to sin.
Illustration:
Maturity is recognizing that the choices we make carry consequences. I had a good laugh at a story in the newspapers sometime back about a teacher who found a great way to make students pay for their crimes. Troublemakers at Riverside Brookfield High in Chicago are being forced to serve after school sentences in the Frank Sinatra Detention Club. There, for 30 minutes, they must sit still- not talking, no homework, no snoozing- and listen to Mr. Sinatra croon songs. “The kids hate it. They’re miserable,” reports teacher Bruce Janu, a Sinatra fan who devised the club as a way to make detention more fun for him, and less so for the kids. “It just got to where I couldn’t stand it,” said one senior. “It so boring.” Janu isn’t totally heartless, though. He lets students sing along if they want- but nobody does. (Davon Huss – Sermon Central)