1 Kings 15:18
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,
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's striking here is that Asa doesn't just take some treasure; he strips bare the treasuries of both the Lord's house and the king's house. This wasn't a small offering but a desperate, total transfer of wealth to a foreign king, essentially bribing him with God's own riches to achieve peace.
Facing a military threat from the northern kingdom of Israel, King Asa of Judah, despite his earlier reforms, resorts to a desperate and questionable alliance. He strips the temple and royal treasuries of their precious metals, not for God's work or the people's welfare, but to bribe Ben-hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria). This act sets the stage for a dependency on human power and foreign aid, rather than a full reliance on the Lord.
When facing a mighty enemy, Asa chose a path that seemed like a quick fix. But was it wise?
Facing an overwhelming military threat from the northern kingdom of Israel, King Asa of Judah panicked. Instead of fully trusting God, he resorted to a strategy of worldly diplomacy and bribery.
He stripped the Temple of its dedicated treasures and even emptied the king's own treasury to pay off King Ben-hadad of Syria. This was a desperate attempt to buy protection, shifting the burden of his defense onto a foreign power.
This act revealed a deep flaw in Asa’s faith. While he had a history of doing good, this moment shows how easily even godly leaders can turn to human strength and earthly riches when fear takes hold.
Asa raided two distinct treasuries. What does this tell us about his priorities and the holiness of God's possessions?
The verse specifically mentions two sources for Asa’s payment: the treasures of the House of the LORD and the treasures of the king’s house.
The LORD's Treasures: These were items consecrated to God, likely including offerings, gifts, and perhaps even sacred vessels. Taking from this treasury was a grave act, bordering on sacrilege. It demonstrated a willingness to exploit even what was holy for his own perceived security.
The King's Treasures: This represented the royal wealth, the king's personal and state funds. While more within his direct control, using it for such a purpose still showed a misplaced trust.
By intertwining these two, Asa blurred the lines between divine provision and human strategy, revealing his desperation to secure his kingdom through earthly means, even at the expense of spiritual devotion.
Understand the original words
bayith · Hebrew Noun
The place where God chose to manifest His presence among His people; it represents the center of Israel's worship, identity, and national life. Items dedicated to the 'house of the Lord' were considered set apart or consecrated to God's service.
Asa's decision to bribe the Syrian king with sacred Temple treasures reveals the precarious political landscape of the divided kingdoms and the difficult, often compromising, choices leaders made for survival.
c. 975 BC
Death of Solomon and Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the unified kingdom of Israel split into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). This division created ongoing political instability and vulnerability to foreign powers.
c. 911 BC
Reign of Asa Begins in Judah
Asa becomes king of the Southern Kingdom of Judah. He initially rules with faithfulness, removing idols and seeking God.
c. 900-880 BC
Rise of Damascus
The city of Damascus grows in power, becoming the capital of a strong Aramean kingdom (often referred to as Syria in the Bible). This kingdom becomes a major regional player.
c. 890 BC— this verse
Baasha Threatens Judah
King Baasha of the Northern Kingdom of Israel attempts to conquer Judah and begins fortifying the city of Ramah, near Jerusalem. This is the immediate crisis Asa faces.
This passage shows another king, Jehoash, taking treasures from the Temple to appease an enemy, highlighting a recurring pattern of misplaced trust in worldly defenses.
Jeremiah 17:5-6This prophetic warning directly contrasts Asa's actions, condemning reliance on human strength and rulers ('flesh') rather than on the Lord, which is the core issue in Asa's decision.
Isaiah 31:1-3This passage speaks powerfully against seeking help from Egypt (a powerful nation) and failing to consult the Lord, echoing Asa's flawed strategy of turning to Syria for aid.
2 Chronicles 16:7-9This parallel account in Chronicles explicitly states that the reason for Asa's later distress was his reliance on the king of Syria, offering a direct consequence and divine perspective on his choice.
What's striking here is that Asa doesn't just take some treasure; he strips bare the treasuries of both the Lord's house and the king's house. This wasn't a small offering but a desperate, total transfer of wealth to a foreign king, essentially bribing him with God's own riches to achieve peace.
Facing a military threat from the northern kingdom of Israel, King Asa of Judah, despite his earlier reforms, resorts to a desperate and questionable alliance. He strips the temple and royal treasuries of their precious metals, not for God's work or the people's welfare, but to bribe Ben-hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria). This act sets the stage for a dependency on human power and foreign aid, rather than a full reliance on the Lord.
Facing a military threat from the northern kingdom of Israel, King Asa of Judah, despite his earlier reforms, resorts to a desperate and questionable alliance. He strips the temple and royal treasuries of their precious metals, not for God's work or the people's welfare, but to bribe Ben-hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria). This act sets the stage for a dependency on human power and foreign aid, rather than a full reliance on the Lord.
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c. 890 BC
Asa Bribes Ben-Hadad
Facing pressure from Israel, Asa makes a desperate move. He strips the Temple and royal treasury of their precious metals to pay off Ben-Hadad, king of Damascus, for military aid against Baasha.
c. 889 BC
Syrian Intervention
Ben-Hadad, paid by Asa, attacks northern Israelite cities, forcing Baasha to withdraw from his campaign against Judah. Asa's gamble pays off in the short term.
"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…" — What's striking here is that Asa doesn't just take some treasure; he strips bare the treasuries of both the Lord's house and the king's house. This wasn't a small offering but a desperate, total tr…
