Asa's Reforms and Early Reign
1 Kings 15:9-24
1 K.15.9 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ובשנת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- עשרים: NUM,card,pl
- לירבעם: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:1 (structural): Uses the same regnal‑synchronism formula (’In the X year of Y king of Israel…’) to introduce the reign of Abijam/Abijah immediately before Asa’s account.
- 2 Chronicles 14:1 (structural): Chronicles’ parallel opening for Asa’s reign — a separate regnal account that begins the narrative of Asa’s rule in Judah.
- 1 Kings 15:11 (thematic): Continues the portrait of Asa introduced in 15:9, emphasizing Asa’s religious reform and ‘doing what was good and right before the LORD,’ a central theme of his reign.
- 2 Chronicles 16:1 (verbal): Gives a later chronological marker in Asa’s reign (‘in the 36th year of Asa’) tied to actions by the king of Israel (Baasha), exemplifying the Kings/Chronicles pattern of dating Judah’s reigns by events and synchronisms with Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- In the twentieth year of King Jeroboam of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.
- In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa became king over Judah.
1 K.15.10 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וארבעים: CONJ+NUM,card,m,pl
- ואחת: CONJ+NUM,card,sg,f
- שנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בירושלם: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ושם: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- מעכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בת: NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אבישלום: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 15:2 (verbal): Gives the same identification of Maachah (the king’s mother, daughter of Abishalom) in the parallel account of Abijam/Abijah — same genealogical/maternal detail.
- 2 Chr 13:2 (verbal): Chronicles repeats the notice that Abijah (Abijam) ‘reigned three years in Jerusalem’ and that his mother was Maachah daughter of Abishalom — a direct parallel to the Kings wording.
- 1 Kgs 14:21 (structural): Example of the standard royal introduction formula (age/length of reign and mother’s name) — Rehoboam is introduced with age, years of reign, and his mother’s name (Naamah), showing the same biographical pattern.
- 1 Kgs 15:13 (thematic): Later in the chapter Asa removes Maachah from her position as queen mother because of the idolatrous image she made — connects to Maachah’s role and influence noted in the verse.
- 2 Chr 15:16 (verbal): Chronicles' parallel account records Asa’s removal of Maachah from the office of queen mother and the destruction of her idol, paralleling the Kings tradition about Maachah’s later fate and influence.
Alternative generated candidates
- He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Maachah daughter of Abishalom.
- He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem; and the name of his mother was Maachah daughter of Abishalom.
1 K.15.11 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעש: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הישר: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כדוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 14:2 (verbal): Direct parallel in the Chronicler's account: Asa is said to have done what was right in the eyes of the LORD and to have walked in the way of David his father—nearly identical wording and idea.
- 2 Chronicles 29:2 (verbal): Hezekiah is described with the same formula—‘did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, like David his father’—linking a righteous king to the Davidic ideal.
- 2 Kings 18:3 (verbal): Hezekiah again: ‘he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done’—a close verbal and thematic parallel emphasizing fidelity to David's model.
- 2 Chronicles 34:2 (verbal): Josiah is characterized by the same tradition: doing right in the sight of the LORD and walking in the ways of David his father—stressing continuity with Davidic standards of kingship.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa did what was right in the sight of the LORD, as David his father had done.
- Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.
1 K.15.12 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- הקדשים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- מן: PREP
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ויסר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הגללים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 14:3 (quotation): Parallel report of Asa’s reforms — removal of high places, images and Asherim; a direct retelling of the same action in Chronicles.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (verbal): Hezekiah’s reform language mirrors Asa’s: removal of high places, cutting down Asherim and breaking pillars (similar wording and reform motive).
- 2 Kings 23:4 (thematic): Josiah’s purge of idolatrous altars and high places echoes the same reform pattern of removing sites of illicit worship.
- Deuteronomy 12:2–3 (allusion): The injunction to destroy the worship sites of the nations provides the legal/theological background for kings’ removal of high places and pillars.
- Judges 6:25 (thematic): Gideon’s command to tear down his father’s altar to Baal and cut down the Asherah reflects the same motif of eliminating local cultic sites.
Alternative generated candidates
- He expelled the cult prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
- He removed the temple prostitutes from the land and took away all the idols that his fathers had made.
1 K.15.13 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וגם: CONJ
- את: PRT,acc
- מעכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אמו: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- ויסרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מגבירה: VERB,hiph,ptc,f,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- מפלצת: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- לאשרה: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ויכרת: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- מפלצתה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וישרף: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- בנחל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,const
- קדרון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 2 Chron.15.16 (quotation): Direct parallel/duplicate account: Chronicles repeats that Asa removed Maacah as queen mother because she made an Asherah image, which he cut down and burned by the Kidron.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (verbal): Hezekiah 'cut down the Asherah' and removed idolatrous objects—language and action closely parallel Asa's eradication of an Asherah image.
- Judges 6:25-32 (thematic): Gideon destroys an altar to Baal and cuts down the Asherah beside it, mirroring the motif of a leader removing/ destroying Asherah cultic images.
- Exodus 34:13 (allusion): Mosaic injunction to tear down altars, break pillars, and cut down Asherim supplies the legal/theological background for royal iconoclasm like Asa's.
- 2 Kings 23:6-7 (thematic): Josiah's reform includes removing Asherah poles and other idolatrous installations—another royal example of purging Asherah worship from Judah/Israel.
Alternative generated candidates
- He also removed Maachah his mother from her position as queen mother, because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole; Asa cut down her repulsive pole and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
- He also deposed Maachah his mother from the position of queen mother because she had made a repulsive Asherah pole. Asa cut down her repulsive thing and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
1 K.15.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והבמות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- לא: PART_NEG
- סרו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
- רק: PRT
- לבב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- היה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שלם: NOUN,prop,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.15:17 (quotation): Nearly identical wording: affirms that the high places were not removed yet Asa’s heart was wholly with the LORD all his days (direct parallel to 1 Kgs 15:14).
- 1 Kgs.15:11 (verbal): Same sectional characterization of Asa — he did what was right before the LORD and is described in terms of his heart and conduct (contextual parallel within Kings).
- 2 Chr.14:2-3 (thematic): Chronicles elsewhere attributes religious reforms to Asa (removal of foreign altars and high places), providing a contrasting tradition to Kings’ note that the high places were not removed.
- Ps.78:70-72 (thematic): David is described as having a wholehearted/skillful shepherding of the people (’a perfect heart’/integrity), a motif also used to praise a king’s sincere devotion to God as with Asa.
Alternative generated candidates
- The high places, however, were not removed; yet Asa’s heart was wholly with the LORD all his days.
- The high places, however, were not removed; yet Asa's heart was wholly with the LORD all his days.
1 K.15.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויבא: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- קדשי: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- וקדשי: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,cons
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכלים: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Ezra 1:7-11 (verbal): Cyrus returns the gold, silver and vessels of the house of the LORD taken earlier — closely parallels language about 'silver and gold and vessels' belonging to the temple being brought back.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3-5 (thematic): David and the leaders dedicate large amounts of gold, silver and temple vessels for the house of the LORD — similar motif of royal handling and dedication of precious temple items.
- 2 Chronicles 29:12-19 (thematic): Hezekiah cleanses and restores the temple and consecrates offerings and vessels; like 1 Kgs 15:15 it describes returning/setting in order the sacred things of the LORD's house.
- 2 Kings 12:9-16 (thematic): During Joash’s temple repairs the treasury of the house and contributions (silver/metal) are collected and used for the house — a parallel instance of royal/administrative handling of temple donations and vessels.
Alternative generated candidates
- He brought back the sacred objects of his father and the sacred objects of the house of the LORD—silver, gold, and vessels.
- He brought into the house of the LORD the dedicated treasures of his father and of the house of the LORD—silver, gold, and vessels.
1 K.15.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ומלחמה: CONJ+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- היתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- בין: PREP
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- בעשא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- ימיהם: NOUN,m,pl,cons,3,m,pl
Parallels
- 1 Kgs 15:17-18 (verbal): Immediate continuation in the same narrative: Baasha fortifies Ramah against Judah and Asa responds by bribing Ben‑hadad of Aram, causing Baasha to withdraw—concrete details of the war mentioned in v.16.
- 2 Chron 16:1-6 (verbal): Parallel retelling in Chronicles of Baasha's attack on Judah, the building of Ramah, Asa's treaty with Ben‑hadad, and the withdrawal of Baasha—another canonical account of the same conflict.
- 1 Kgs 15:25-30 (thematic): Account of Baasha’s violent rise and aggressive policies in Israel (including fortifications and campaigns) that provides broader context for his hostility with Asa and the ongoing Israel–Judah conflicts.
- 2 Chron 16:7-10 (thematic): Prophetic and theological reflection on Asa’s reliance on Aram (and the ensuing consequences), which echoes the political/military dynamics of the Asa–Baasha struggle and its aftermath in Judah’s history.
Alternative generated candidates
- And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
- There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
1 K.15.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויעל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בעשא: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- על: PREP
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הרמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- לבלתי: PART,neg
- תת: VERB,qal,inf
- יצא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ובא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- לאסא: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 16:1 (quotation): Direct retelling of the same event: Baasha king of Israel built Ramah against Judah (verbal and narrative parallel to 1 Kgs 15:17).
- 1 Kings 15:18 (thematic): Immediate narrative follow‑up: Asa's response (sending silver and gold to Ben‑hadad of Syria) shows the political/military consequence of Baasha's fortification at Ramah.
- 1 Kings 15:22 (structural): Resolution of the Ramah episode: Baasha withdraws and Asa uses Ramah's materials to fortify other Judahite sites (Geba and Mizpah), completing the narrative arc begun in 15:17.
- 2 Chronicles 11:5-12 (thematic): Rehoboam's and later Judahite kings' program of building and garrisoning fortified towns parallels the motive and function of Baasha's construction at Ramah—controlling movement and securing borders.
Alternative generated candidates
- Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah to prevent anyone from going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.
- Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah to prevent any going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.
1 K.15.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויקח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- הכסף: NOUN,m,sg,def
- והזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
- הנותרים: ADJ,m,pl,def
- באוצרות: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אוצרות: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ויתנם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg,obj:3mp
- ביד: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- עבדיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs+3ms
- וישלחם: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf_wq,3,m,sg;obj=3,m,pl
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- טברמן: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- חזיון: NOUN,prop,sg,m
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ארם: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הישב: PTCP,qal,act,ms,sg,def
- בדמשק: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- 2 Chron.16:2-6 (quotation): Chronicles retells the same episode: Asa takes the remaining silver and gold from the house of the LORD and the king’s treasuries and sends them to Ben‑Hadad to secure an alliance.
- 2 Kings 18:14-16 (verbal): Hezekiah likewise removed and gave the silver and gold found in the house of the LORD and the royal treasuries to a foreign king (Assyria) to appease him—parallel action and wording.
- 2 Kings 16:7-8 (verbal): King Ahaz gave the silver and gold from the house of the LORD and from the king’s house to Tiglath‑pileser to secure Assyrian support—similar use of temple/royal treasure to obtain a foreign alliance.
- 1 Kings 14:25-26 (cf. 2 Chron.12:9) (thematic): Shishak’s removal of the treasures of the house of the LORD after attacking Jerusalem forms a thematic contrast: temple/royal treasure being transferred into foreign hands, whether by tribute/bribe or by conquest.
Alternative generated candidates
- Then Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the treasuries of the king’s house; he entrusted them to the hands of his servants and sent them to Ben‑Hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,
- Then Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the treasuries of the king's house; he delivered them into the hands of his servants and sent them to Ben‑hadad son of Tabrimon son of Hezion, king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,
1 K.15.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ביני: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ובינך: CONJ+PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- בין: PREP
- אבי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ובין: CONJ+PREP
- אביך: NOUN,m,sg,suff+2ms
- הנה: PART
- שלחתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שחד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- כסף: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וזהב: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- הפרה: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתך: NOUN,f,sg,abs+PRON,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בעשא: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- מלך: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעלה: VERB,qal,wayyiq,3,m,sg
- מעלי: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chronicles 16:1-4 (quotation): Direct retelling of the same episode: Asa takes silver and gold from the temple and palace and sends it to Ben‑hadad to break his treaty with Baasha; Chronicles repeats the narrative found in 1 Kings.
- 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 (thematic): Prophetic critique (Hanani) of Asa’s reliance on a foreign king rather than on the LORD — interprets the political maneuver (bribing Ben‑Hadad) as misplaced trust.
- 2 Kings 16:7-8 (thematic): Ahaz’s later action of sending silver and gold (taken from the house of the LORD) to Tiglath‑pileser for military support — a parallel instance of using temple/royal treasure to secure foreign alliance/support.
- Genesis 21:27-32 (verbal): Covenant language between heads of families/rulers ('between me and you and between my descendants and your descendants') echoes the formulaic phrasing of covenants found in 1 Kings 15:19 ('between me and you and between my father and your father').
Alternative generated candidates
- “A covenant between me and you and between my father and your father: behold, I have sent you gifts of silver and gold; break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”
- “Let there be a covenant between you and me and between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent you a present of silver and gold; break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, that he may withdraw from me.”
1 K.15.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישמע: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הדד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וישלח: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- שרי: NOUN,m,pl,cs
- החילים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- לו: PRON,3,m,sg
- על: PREP
- ערי: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויך: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- עיון: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ואת: CONJ
- דן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- אבל: CONJ
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מעכה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואת: CONJ
- כל: DET
- כנרות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- ארץ: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- נפתלי: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:18-19 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative: describes Asa's league with Ben‑Hadad and Ben‑Hadad's commanders striking Ijon, Dan, Abel‑beth‑maacah and all Chinneroth (same cities listed).
- 2 Chronicles 16:1-4 (quotation): Direct retelling of the same episode in Chronicles: Ben‑Hadad hears of Asa's treaty, sends his captains and takes Ijon, Dan, Abel‑beth‑maacah and all Chinneroth of Naphtali.
- 2 Chronicles 16:5-6 (structural): Continues the Chronicles account showing the strategic effect on Baasha and the territorial outcomes that parallel the report in 1 Kings 15:20.
- 1 Kings 20:1-34 (thematic): Later narrative featuring Ben‑Hadad and Aramean (Syrian) warfare with Israel; thematically related as part of the recurring Israel–Aram conflicts and Ben‑Hadad as an adversary.
- 1 Chronicles 19:6-7 (thematic): Describes Aramean (Syrian) involvement in Israel’s wars (joining Ammon against David); thematically parallels foreign Aramean incursions and alliances affecting Israelite territory.
Alternative generated candidates
- Ben‑Hadad heeded King Asa and sent his commanders against the cities of Israel; he struck Ijon, Dan, Abel‑beth‑maacah, and all the fortified towns of Naphtali.
- Ben‑hadad heeded King Asa and sent his commanders against the cities of Israel; they struck Ijon and Dan and Abel‑beth‑Maachah and all Chinnereth in all the land of Naphtali.
1 K.15.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- כשמע: CONJ
- בעשא: PREP+NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויחדל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- מבנות: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הרמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- וישב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בתרצה: PREP+NOUN,prop,f,sg,abs
Parallels
- 1 Kings 15:17 (verbal): Immediate context: Baasha is described as building Ramah to block movement into Judah — the verse here reports the cessation of that building.
- 1 Kings 15:18-19 (structural): Gives the causal background: Asa sends silver and gold to Ben‑hadad and Ben‑hadad attacks Israelite towns, which produces the pressure that leads Baasha to stop building Ramah.
- 2 Chronicles 16:1-6 (quotation): Parallel account in Chronicles of Asa's treaty with Ben‑hadad and its effect: Ben‑hadad attacks Israel and Baasha ceases building Ramah; the Chronicler retells the same episode with similar sequence and outcome.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Baasha heard of it, he ceased building Ramah and dwelt in Tirzah.
- When Baasha heard of it, he ceased building Ramah and stayed in Tirzah.
1 K.15.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והמלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- השמיע: VERB,hiph,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- אין: PART,neg
- נקי: ADJ,m,sg
- וישאו: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- אבני: NOUN,f,pl,cons
- הרמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ואת: CONJ
- עציה: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- בעשא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,prop
- ויבן: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- המלך: NOUN,m,sg,def
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- גבע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנימן: NOUN,m,sg,proper
- ואת: CONJ
- המצפה: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- 2 Chr.16:6 (verbal): Chronicles repeats the same action: Asa takes the stones and timber that Baasha built at Ramah and uses them to build Geba and Mizpah (near-verbatim parallel to 1 Kgs 15:22).
- 2 Chr.16:1-6 (thematic): The broader Chronicles account retells the whole episode—Baasha's fortifying of Ramah, Asa's diplomatic response, and the subsequent removal/reuse of building materials—paralleling the narrative context of 1 Kgs 15:20–22.
- 1 Kgs.15:20 (structural): Immediate context in Kings: Baasha fortifies Ramah to block access to Asa, which sets up Asa's later removal of Ramah's stones and timber in v.22 (direct narrative antecedent).
- 1 Kgs.15:18-19 (thematic): These verses describe Asa's alliance with Ben‑hadad and the military outcome that led to Baasha withdrawing from Ramah—the strategic background for Asa's dismantling and reuse of Ramah's materials.
Alternative generated candidates
- King Asa then summoned all Judah; they carried away the stones of Ramah and the timber that Baasha had been using for building, and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and the Mizpah.
- Then King Asa commanded all Judah; they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber, which Baasha had been using for building, and King Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
1 K.15.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתר: CONJ+ADJ,m,sg,abs
- כל: DET
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- גבורתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וכל: CONJ+PRON,indef
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- והערים: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בנה: NOUN,m,sg,abs+SUFF,3,f,sg
- הלא: PART
- המה: PRON,3,m,pl
- כתובים: VERB,pual,ptcp,m,pl
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- למלכי: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,cstr
- יהודה: NOUN,m,sg,prop
- רק: PRT
- לעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- זקנתו: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- חלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- רגליו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,suff:3,m
Parallels
- 2 Chr.16.12-13 (quotation): Direct parallel in Chronicles: repeats that Asa’s acts are written in the book of the kings of Judah and states that in the thirty‑ninth year he was diseased in his feet (essentially the same wording).
- 1 Kgs.14.29 (structural): Uses the same concluding formula about the ‘rest of the acts’ being recorded in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah (common royal summary formula in Kings).
- 2 Chr.12.16 (structural): Another instance of the Chronicler using the standard closing remark about ‘the rest of the acts’ of a king being written in the book of the kings—paralleling the genre and editorial practice behind 1 Kgs 15:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- As for the rest of the acts of Asa, and 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? In the time of his old age his feet became diseased.
- Now the rest of the acts of Asa, and 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? Only in his old age he was diseased in his feet.
1 K.15.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וישכב: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- אסא: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- ויקבר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עם: PREP
- אבתיו: NOUN,m,pl,abs,3s
- בעיר: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- דוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אביו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3,m,sg
- וימלך: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהושפט: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בנו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- תחתיו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
Parallels
- 2 Chr.16.13 (verbal): Direct parallel in Chronicles recording Asa’s death and burial and noting that Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead—same wording and sequence as 1 Kgs 15:24.
- 1 Kgs.11.43 (verbal): The closing formula for Solomon’s reign: 'slept with his fathers, was buried in the city of David, and his son reigned in his stead'—same verbal/structural formula for royal death and succession.
- 1 Kgs.14.20 (verbal): Uses the same royal epitaph about sleeping with/being buried with the fathers in the city of David and succession by a son (Rehoboam → Abijah), reflecting the standard closing formula.
- 1 Kgs.2.10 (verbal): David’s death is described with similar language ('slept with his fathers' and burial in the city of David), illustrating the recurring biblical formula for a king’s death and burial.
Alternative generated candidates
- Asa slept with his fathers; they buried him with his fathers in the city of David his father. And Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.
- Asa slept with his fathers; they buried him with his fathers in the City of David his father, and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.
In the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Asa began to reign over Judah.
He reigned in Jerusalem forty-one years. The name of his mother was Maachah daughter of Abishalom.
Asa did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, as David his father had done.
He expelled the sacred prostitutes from the land and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
He also removed Maachah his mother from the position of queen mother, because she had made a detestable image for Asherah. Asa cut down her image and burned it in the Kidron Valley.
The high places were not removed, but Asa's heart was wholly devoted to the LORD all his days.
He brought back the sacred items of his father and the sacred items of the house of the LORD—silver, gold, and vessels.
There was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah and built Ramah to prevent anyone going out or coming in to Asa king of Judah.
Then Asa took all the silver and gold that were left in the treasuries of the house of the LORD and the treasuries of the king's house; he entrusted them to the hands of his servants and sent them to Ben‑hadad son of Tabrimmon son of Hezion, king of Aram, who lived in Damascus, saying,
"Let there be a covenant between you and me, between my father and your father. Look, I have sent to you a present of silver and gold; now break your covenant with Baasha king of Israel, so that he may withdraw from me."
Ben‑hadad hearkened to King Asa and sent his captains against the cities of Israel; they struck Ijon, Dan, Abel‑beth‑maacah, and all the store cities of Naphtali.
When Baasha heard it, he stopped building Ramah and settled in Tirzah.
Then King Asa commanded all Judah; they carried away the stones of Ramah and its timber that Baasha had been using for his building, and with them King Asa built Geba of Benjamin and Mizpah.
As for all the rest of the acts of Asa, and his might and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? But in his old age he became diseased in his feet.
Asa slept with his fathers; they buried him in the city of David his father, and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his place.