Daily Tanach Thursday Sefer Melachim 1 Chapter 15: The state of war between Asa and Basha, the king of Israel

1.      The state of war between Asa and Basha, the king of Israel:

• There was a state of war between Asa and Basha, the king of Israel [who was the son of Nadav, and the grandson of Yeravam], throughout all their days.
• Basha, the king of Israel, prevents entry or exit to Jerusalem: Basha, the king of Israel, went up in battle against Judah and built a high tower [by the gates of Jerusalem^[1]], to prevent anyone who was faithful to Asa the king of Judah to be able to come or go [as his guards positioned there would throw stones at any person exiting or entering^[2]].
• Asa pays tribute to a Gentile king to wage war against the king of Israel: Asa took all of the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the Temple and of the treasuries of the palace, and he entrusted them in the hands of his servants to have them sent to Ben Haddad, the son of Tabrimon the son of Chezyon, the king of Aram who resided in Damascus, with the following message: “There is a treaty between me and you and between my father and your father. Behold, I have sent to you a bribe of silver and gold. Now, go break your treaty with Basha, king of Israel, and antagonize him so that he will leave me alone [and stop terrorizing me and my people from on top of the tower].”
• The Gentile king forces the king of Israel to stop his attacks on Asa: Ben Haddad accepted the bribe from king Asa, and he sent the captains of his armies to wage war against the cities of Israel, and he smote the cities of Iyon, and Dan, and Ave Beis Maachah, and all of the villages of County of Kinereth together with all of the land of Naftali.
• Basha backs down from antagonizing Judah: When Basha the king of Israel heard of this attack, he refrained from building the high tower [and attacking the men of Judah], and he resided in the city of Tirzah [which was the capital of the kingdom of Israel^[3]].
• Asa takes down the tower of Basha: King Asa proclaimed to all of Judah that everyone must come without exception [even a groom from his wedding room^[4]] to take down the tower built by Basha. They carried the stones of the tower, and its timber, and king Asa used it to build the Geva of Benjamin and Mitzpah.

2.      The legacy of Asa:

• His chronicles: The remainder of the history of Asa and all his mighty deeds and accomplishments and the cities which he built, are written in the book of Chronicles of the kings of Judah.
• His foot ailment: In Asa’s old age, he was stricken with a foot ailment.
• His death: King Asa passed away and was buried with his fathers in the city of David.
• His successor: Yehoshafat, his son, reigned after him.

[1] Metzudos Dovid 15:17

[2] Metzudos Dovid 15:17

[3] Metzudos Dovid 15:21

[4] Rashi 15:22