1 Kings 15:19
“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.”
English Standard Version (ESV)
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What's easy to miss here is that King Asa is offering a bribe, a stark contrast to the "covenant" he's proposing. He's not seeking a genuine alliance based on trust, but a transaction fueled by greed and deceit to manipulate Baasha. This highlights how easily "covenants" can be twisted into tools of worldly politics, rather than expressions of righteous relationship.
King Asa of Judah is facing an invasion from Baasha, the king of Israel to the north. Desperate, Asa makes a bold move: he strips the Temple and his own palace of silver and gold to bribe Ben-Hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria), to break his alliance with Baasha and attack Israel instead. This desperate political gamble sets a dangerous precedent, shifting alliances and ushering in a new era of foreign interference in the region.
King Asa faces a new enemy, but his solution is rooted in his father's past. What does this tell us about inherited patterns and choices?
The verse opens with King Asa of Israel reaching out to Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram. Asa’s plea, “Let there be a covenant between me and you, as there was between my father and your father,” immediately links this political maneuver to his family history. His father, Abijam, had indeed made alliances with foreign powers, a departure from the covenant faithfulness God expected. Asa is not just seeking a new alliance; he's replicating a flawed legacy. This highlights a critical spiritual truth: the sins and compromises of one generation can easily become the default settings for the next unless consciously rejected. Asa’s father's actions set a precedent, and Asa, under pressure, falls back into that familiar, dangerous pattern. It’s a stark reminder that our own past choices, and the choices of our spiritual ancestors, can shape our present decisions in ways we don't always recognize.
Asa is in a tough spot, but his proposed solution involves more than just words. It involves cold, hard cash and a betrayal of God's people. What's the cost of this kind of 'peace'?
Asa’s strategy against Baasha, the king of Israel, is purely pragmatic and deeply compromised. He doesn’t turn to the Lord for deliverance, as kings of Israel were called to do. Instead, he offers a bribe: 'Behold, I am sending to you a present of silver and gold.' This isn't just a gift; it's an investment in a betrayal. He asks Ben-Hadad to break his treaty with Baasha, essentially hiring a foreign king to attack Israel and pull Baasha's forces away from Asa’s territory. This is a complete abandonment of trusting God and instead placing his confidence in political maneuvering and wealth. It’s a temptation many face: when problems seem overwhelming, the temptation is to use earthly resources and influence to force a solution, rather than relying on God’s timing and power. Asa’s 'solution' is essentially buying temporary relief through treachery, a path that ultimately leads away from God’s favor.
Understand the original words
berith · Hebrew Noun
A formal, solemn agreement between two parties, involving mutual obligations and often sealed with an oath or sacrifice. In Scripture, covenants characterize God's relationship with His people, but can also describe political or military alliances between nations.
shochad · Hebrew Noun
A gift given to establish favor, loyalty, or an alliance. In this context, it functions as a bribe to secure political and military support, contrasting with reliance on God's protection.
This verse shows how desperate political maneuvering and broken alliances were common in the divided kingdoms, demonstrating that even 'covenants' could be mere tools of statecraft, easily discarded for strategic advantage.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). This division sets the stage for ongoing conflict and shifting alliances.
c. 909 BC
Reign of Asa Begins
Asa becomes king of Judah. His reign is marked by religious reforms and attempts to secure Judah's borders, often through diplomacy and military action against the Northern Kingdom.
c. 900 BC
Reign of Baasha
Baasha reigns as king of Israel, engaging in constant warfare, particularly against Judah. He attempts to fortify Ramah, a strategic location near Jerusalem, threatening Judah's security.
c. 896 BC— this verse
Asa Hires Ben-Hadad I
King Asa of Judah, facing the threat from Baasha, breaks a covenant with Israel by hiring Ben-Hadad I, the Aramean king of Damascus, to attack northern Israel. This bribe effectively forces Baasha to withdraw from Ramah.
This passage shows a king, Hezekiah, attempting to bribe the Assyrian king Sennacherib with silver and gold, much like Asa attempts to bribe Ben-Hadad here. Both illustrate the dangerous and ultimately futile practice of relying on foreign alliances and wealth for security instead of God.
Isaiah 7:1-9Similar to the political maneuvering in 1 Kings, this passage describes a threatened alliance between Israel and Syria against Judah. Isaiah's message highlights God's desire for His people to trust in Him alone, rather than human treaties or military might.
Psalm 127:1The Psalmist declares, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” This verse serves as a powerful counterpoint to the actions of Asa, reminding us that true security and lasting protection come from God, not from clever political pacts or earthly treasures.
Jeremiah 17:5-8This passage directly contrasts those who trust in man and turn away from God with those who trust in the Lord. Asa's actions exemplify the former, seeking security in a human alliance and wealth, while the latter are described as flourishing and secure.
What's easy to miss here is that King Asa is offering a bribe, a stark contrast to the "covenant" he's proposing. He's not seeking a genuine alliance based on trust, but a transaction fueled by greed and deceit to manipulate Baasha. This highlights how easily "covenants" can be twisted into tools of worldly politics, rather than expressions of righteous relationship.
King Asa of Judah is facing an invasion from Baasha, the king of Israel to the north. Desperate, Asa makes a bold move: he strips the Temple and his own palace of silver and gold to bribe Ben-Hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria), to break his alliance with Baasha and attack Israel instead. This desperate political gamble sets a dangerous precedent, shifting alliances and ushering in a new era of foreign interference in the region.
King Asa of Judah is facing an invasion from Baasha, the king of Israel to the north. Desperate, Asa makes a bold move: he strips the Temple and his own palace of silver and gold to bribe Ben-Hadad, the powerful king of Aram (Syria), to break his alliance with Baasha and attack Israel instead. This desperate political gamble sets a dangerous precedent, shifting alliances and ushering in a new era of foreign interference in the region.
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c. 875 BC
Reign of Ahab Begins
Ahab becomes king of Israel, continuing the turbulent history of the northern kingdom. His reign will be marked by further conflict and spiritual decline.
"“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.”" — What's easy to miss here is that King Asa is offering a bribe, a stark contrast to the "covenant" he's proposing. He's not seeking a genuine alliance based on trust, but a transaction fueled by greed…
