1Kings 15:1 ¶ Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
1Kings 15:2 Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
1Kings 15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
It is noted that in the 18th year of the reign of King Jeroboam in Israel, Abijam ascended to the throne in Judah. He reigned for three years in Jerusalem. He was the son of Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. There seems to be a discrepancy between Kings and Chronicles regarding Maachah.
2 Chronicles 13:2 “His mother’s name also was Michaiah the daughter of Uriel of Gibeah.”
JFB offers this explanation: “Michaiah (2 Chronicles 13:2), probably altered from the one to the other on her becoming queen, as was very common under a change of circumstances. She is called the daughter of Abishalom, or Absalom (2 Chronicles 11:21), of Uriel (2 Chronicles 13:2). Hence, it has been thought probable that Tamar, the daughter of Absalom (2 Samuel 14:27; 18:18), had been married to Uriel, and that Maachah was their daughter.”
Already I am a bit confused because of the notes from the previous chapter on Abijam(h) leading his people out to battle against Jeroboam in the name of the LORD. It would seem that this must have been at the beginning of his reign, because verse 3 is clear in declaring that he “walked in all the sins of his father,” Rehoboam. Maybe he was one who acknowledged the LORD God of Israel but did not submit to Him as LORD.
Guzik makes a good observation: “This was the real problem with Abijam’s reign - his lack of a real personal relationship with God. David sinned during his reign, but his heart stayed loyal to the Lord his God.”
The Chronicler also tells us a bit about his family.
2 Chronicles 13:21 “But Abijah waxed mighty, and married fourteen wives, and begat twenty and two sons, and sixteen daughters.”
1Kings 15:4 Nevertheless for David’s sake did the LORD his God give him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:
1Kings 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
Only for David’s sake did the LORD God allow this man to reign and establish Jerusalem firmly under the rule of the house of David because of David’s love for the LORD. We know that David sinned, but David was always quick to repent when confronted with his sin and to renew his commitment to follow the LORD in obedience. It is noted that David’s great sin centered on the circumstances associated with the murder of Uriah the Hittite.
1Kings 15:6 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all the days of his life.
As noted in the previous chapter, we are told that there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam throughout their lifetimes.
1Kings 15:7 Now the rest of the acts of Abijam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And there was war between Abijam and Jeroboam.
1Kings 15:8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
The record on Abijam ends as it is noted that there was also war between Abijam and Jeroboam. (See notes on previous chapter.)
Abijam died and was buried in the city of David; his son Asa succeeded him to the throne.
1Kings 15:9 ¶ And in the twentieth year of Jeroboam king of Israel reigned Asa over Judah.
1Kings 15:10 And forty and one years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom.
In the 20th year of Jeroboam’s reign in Israel, Asa became king over Judah. He was the (grand)son of Maachah, the (grand)daughter of Absalom. He ruled in Judah for 41 years. The Chronicler tells us in 2Chronicles 14:1 that “the land was quiet for ten years” during his reign—presumably the first ten years.
According to the Chronicler, he made use of this time to build up the cities of Judah and fortify their walls. It would also seem from his record that it was the victory that God gave Judah over the attacking armies of Ethiopia that spurred Asa into making the reforms that are noted in the next verses. He then notes that there was no more war in Judah until the 35th year of the reign of Asa. Once again there is a discrepancy between the two accounts. Gill offers the following explanation.
The Chronicler declares this “…to be in the thirty sixth year of Asa's reign, or rather of his kingdom; for it can never mean the year of his reign, for Baasha was dead many years before that, since his reign began in the third of Asa, and he reigned but twenty four years, and therefore must die in the twenty seventh of Asa; but it is to be understood of the kingdom of Judah, when it was divided from Israel; from that time to this were thirty six years, seventeen under Rehoboam, three under Abijam, so that this year must be the sixteenth of Asa; thus it is calculated in the Jewish chronologyF21, and which is followed by many of the best of our chronologers.”
1Kings 15:11 And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, as did David his father.
1Kings 15:12 And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.
1Kings 15:13 And also Maachah his mother, even her he removed from being queen, because she had made an idol in a grove; and Asa destroyed her idol, and burnt it by the brook Kidron.
1Kings 15:14 But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days.
In contrast to his father, Asa did that which was right before the LORD, following the example of his great great grandfather David. Asa removed all the sodomites and idols out of the land. He even removed his grandmother from being queen because she had made an idol in a grove, a place of worship to false gods. Asa destroyed her idol with fire by the brook Kidron.
Asa did not, however, destroy all the high places. In spite of that bad decision, it is noted that his heart was at peace with the LORD throughout his life.
Once again, there is an apparent discrepancy with the record of the Chronicler.
2 Chronicles 14:3–5 “For he took away the altars of the strange gods, and the high places, and brake down the images, and cut down the groves: And commanded Judah to seek the LORD God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment. Also he took away out of all the cities of Judah the high places and the images:”
Guzik offers this explanation: The Chronicler “says that Asa did remove the high places, but it mentions these high places in connection with altars of the foreign gods. Therefore Asa removed the high places that were dedicated to idols, but not the ones that were dedicated to the Lord.”
Even with this explanation, it was wrong for Asa not to have removed the high places that were used to worship the LORD. The LORD had commanded that such worship was to take place at the temple.
1Kings 15:15 And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and the things which himself had dedicated, into the house of the LORD, silver, and gold, and vessels.
Asa gathered together all the things that he and his father had dedicated to the house of the LORD—silver, gold and vessels.
1Kings 15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
1Kings 15:17 And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah, and built Ramah, that he might not suffer any to go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.
There was war between Asa and Baasha, the king of Israel, throughout their lives. Baasha attacked Israel and captured Ramah for the purpose of controlling access to Judah from Israel. As noted in above comments, it is stated that this occurred in the 35th year of Asa’s reign but there is a discrepancy with Chronicles. (See note at verses 9-10.)
See verse 25-28 below as to Baasha becoming king in Israel.
1Kings 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 delivered them into the hand of his servants: and king Asa sent them to Benhadad, the son of Tabrimon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying,
1Kings 15:19 There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of silver and gold; come and break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me.
Asa responded by taking all the silver and gold that was left in the treasures of the house of the LORD and the king’s house and sent them with trusted servants as a gift to Benhadad, the king of Syria that lived in Damascus. The messengers reminded Benhadad that there had been a covenant between their fathers. He urged him to break covenant with Baasha and intervene on Judah’s behalf. He wanted his help in getting Baasha out of Judah.
1Kings 15:20 So Benhadad hearkened unto king Asa, and sent the captains of the hosts which he had against the cities of Israel, and smote Ijon, and Dan, and Abelbethmaachah, and all Cinneroth, with all the land of Naphtali.
1Kings 15:21 And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.
Benhadad did as Asa asked and sent his armies against the cities of Israel. They attacked the cities of Ijon, Dan, Abelbethmaachah, Cinneroth and the land of Napthali. When Baasha heard what was happening, he left Ramah to go back to Tirzah.
The NIV Commentary adds some insight: “But seeing Asa’s treasure and sensing the gain that was to be had from a new league with Judah and from a military venture against Israel, Ben-Hadad was only too happy to help. He may have followed Asa’s suggestion of appealing to a prior treaty between Damascus and Jerusalem as a pretext for coming to Judah’s aid against Baasha. Moving swiftly, Ben-Hadad ravaged Baasha’s northern sector, not only gaining for himself access to the international caravan routes that led from Egypt through Phoenicia and on to Damascus, but giving Asa the desired relief in Judah. For in order to meet the new emergency on his northern flank, Baasha was forced to abandon his operations at Ramah.”
1Kings 15:22 Then king Asa made a proclamation throughout all Judah; none was exempted: and they took away the stones of Ramah, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasha had builded; and king Asa built with them Geba of Benjamin, and Mizpah.
King Asa made a proclamation requiring all the men of Judah to come and remove the stones and timber at Ramah and take them to Geba in the land of Benjamin and Mizpah.
The Chronicler adds some important information.
2 Chronicles 16:7–10 “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand. Were not the Ethiopians and the Lubims a huge host, with very many chariots and horsemen? yet, because thou didst rely on the LORD, he delivered them into thine hand. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for he was in a rage with him because of this thing. And Asa oppressed some of the people the same time.”
Asa made a grave mistake by seeking help from men before seeking the counsel of the LORD and trusting in Him as Judah’s defender. There seems to be clear indication that his relationship with the LORD was faltering in his old age.
How sad it is when a servant of the LORD falters after many years of faithful obedience!
1Kings 15:23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.
1Kings 15:24 And Asa slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Jehoshaphat his son reigned in his stead.
The writer notes that the rest of the acts of Asa are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah. There is a note made, however, that he was diseased in his feet in his old age. Again, the Chronicler adds important information.
2 Chronicles 16:12 “And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the LORD, but to the physicians.”
Once again, Asa chose to place his faith in man rather than seeking help from and placing his faith in the LORD. This incident spoke to me early on in my life. Since then, it has been the foundation upon which I have dealt with health issues in my own life. I do not consider it wrong to go to doctors, but I will always seek God’s counsel first as long as I have the choice. My faith is in His provision, not in the knowledge and skills of men.
Asa died and was buried in the city of David with his ancestors. His son Jehoshaphat succeeded him to the throne. Once again the Chronicler adds a little bit more information.
2 Chronicles 16:14 “And they buried him in his own sepulchres, which he had made for himself in the city of David, and laid him in the bed which was filled with sweet odours and divers kinds of spices prepared by the apothecaries’ art: and they made a very great burning for him.”
1Kings 15:25 ¶ And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.
1Kings 15:26 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, succeeded his father Jeroboam to the throne of Israel in the second year of the reign of Asa in Judah. His reign only lasted for two years. He followed in the steps of his father and did evil in the sight of the LORD.
1Kings 15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
1Kings 15:28 Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
Baasha, son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar, plotted to overthrow Nadab. When Nadab and his troops laid siege to the Philistine city of Gibbethon, Baasha found an opportunity to kill him and seize the throne.
This occurred during the third year of Asa’s reign in Judah.
1Kings 15:29 And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite:
1Kings 15:30 Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.
Once Baasha seized the throne, he killed all the descendants of Jeroboam. This fulfilled the prophecy that the LORD had declared through the prophet Ahijah. (See notes on previous chapter.)
1Kings 15:31 Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Guzik provides an information note from Dilday: “Nadab was king little more than one year, but since it covered parts of two years, Hebrew time measurement reckons his reign as two years.”
This is not a reference to the books of Chronicles in scripture.
1Kings 15:32 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
1Kings 15:33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
1Kings 15:34 And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
It is noted that there was war between Asa and Baasha throughout their lives. Baasha seized the throne of Israel during the third year of Asa’s reign in Judah; he reigned over Israel in Tirzah for 24 years (into the 27th year of Asa’s reign). Baasha was an evil man, just as evil as Jeroboam. The last phrase testifies to the fact that he too worshipped idols and false gods.
1Kings 16:1 ¶ Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying,
1Kings 16:2 Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins;
1Kings 16:3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
1Kings 16:4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.
The LORD sent a message to Baasha through Jehu the son of Hanani. This is likely a reference to the Hanani through whom the LORD rebuked King Asa of Judah.
2 Chronicles 16:7 “And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said unto him, Because thou hast relied on the king of Syria, and not relied on the LORD thy God, therefore is the host of the king of Syria escaped out of thine hand.”
Jehu’s message from the LORD pronounced judgment against Baasha that mirrored His judgment against Jeroboam. He declared that he would destroy the house of Baasha so that none were left to carry on his name. His descendants would also be denied a proper burial. The LORD declared that this judgment was because Baasha had also chosen to promote idol worship instead of submitting to the LORD that had made him king.
1Kings 16:5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
1Kings 16:6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.
This ends the record of Baasha. He died and was buried in Tirzah; his son Elah became the next king of Israel.
1Kings 16:7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him.
This verse seems to be a summary repeat of the opening verses. It also makes a point of holding Baasha accountable for the murder of Nadab.
These kinds of statements are always thought provoking. The LORD declared that Baasha’s actions fulfilled prophecy. He also declared that He had been the one to make Baasha king. Still, He declared that Baasha was accountable for the sin he committed in bringing those events about. I think this is all tied into the fact that God in his omniscience formulated a plan to accomplish His purposes that often made use of men that did not have to violate their conscience or go against their own desires in the process of exacting His judgment. Because the choice to act was their own, they were still accountable for their actions.
Clarke makes this statement: “God is ever represented in Scripture as doing those things which, in the course of his providence, he permits to be done.”
1Kings 16:8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
1Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
1Kings 16:10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
In the 26th year of King Asa of Judah, Elah, the son of Baasha became king in Israel; he reigned for two years from Tirzah. Zimri, one of his military commanders, plotted to overthrow him. One night Elah got drunk while in the house of his steward Arza. Zimri chose this time to kill him and assume the throne.
Note: The scriptural record of these kings assumes any part of a year to represent a year.
1Kings 16:11 And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
1Kings 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,
1Kings 16:13 For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
1Kings 16:14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
The first thing Zimri did as king was to kill all of the remaining descendants of Baasha. Through him, the prophecy declared by Jehu against Baasha was fulfilled. Elah had walked in the same sins of idolatry as his father.
The reference to the chronicles of the kings of Israel does not refer to the Chronicles of scripture. The Chronicles of scripture focus mainly on the kings of Judah.
1Kings 16:15 ¶ In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
1Kings 16:16 And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.
Zimri became king of Israel for seven days during the 27th year of Asa’s reign in Judah. The troops of Israel were encamped against the Philistine city of Gibbethon at that time. When the troops there heard that Zimri had killed King Elah, they decided to make Omri, the chief military commander, king over Israel. They did so that day in the camp.
1Kings 16:17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah.
1Kings 16:18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king’s house, and burnt the king’s house over him with fire, and died,
1Kings 16:19 For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.
1Kings 16:20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
Omri took his troops and left Gibbethon to lay siege to Tirzah. Zimri realized he could not win and decided to burn down the king’s house over himself. His death is identified as God’s judgment against him for his wickedness and idolatry before the people.
1Kings 16:21 Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.
1Kings 16:22 But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned.
1Kings 16:23 In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.
At this point the people of Israel had split loyalties. Half followed Omri and half followed Tibni, the son of Ginath, to make him king. After four years (compare verses 15 & 23), Omri finally won out, and Tibni died. (Sounds like he could have been killed after his troops were defeated in battle.)
Omri finally became king over all of Israel in the 31st year of the reign of Asa in Judah; he reigned for 12 years total, including 6 years in Tirzah.
1Kings 16:24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.
Omri bought the hill of Samaria of Shemer (about 12 miles west of Tirzah) for two talents of silver and built on it. I presume that means he built his palace there since the one in Tirzah had been burned.
The IVP Commentary adds this insight regarding the two talents of silver: “It is about 150 pounds of silver. Its economic equivalent in buying power today would be between fifteen and twenty million dollars.”
1Kings 16:25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him.
1Kings 16:26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.
1Kings 16:27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
1Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
Omri was another evil king, and it is said that he did even worse than those that went before him. He followed idolatry and led the people to do the same. How he was worse we aren’t told.
That’s basically all the writer has to say about Omri. After he died and was buried in Samaria, his son Ahab became king.
Guzik provides a bit more information about Omri using a quote from Dilday. “In the records of secular history, Omri is one of the more successful and famous kings of ancient Israel. Omri’s fame as a monarch, while downplayed by the author of Kings, was widely recognized in other places. The Moabite stone, discovered in 1868, refers to him as the conqueror of Moab. Assyrian inscriptions make mention of him as a great warrior. For years the Assyrians referred to Israel as the house of Omri.”
1Kings 16:29 ¶ And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty and two years.
1Kings 16:30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.
Ahab, son of Omri, began his 22-year reign in Israel in the 38th year of Asa’s reign in Judah. Even worse than the kings before him, Ahab did evil in the sight of the LORD.
Guzik helps make a distinction: “Jeroboam intended to serve the Lord through idolatrous images (such as the golden calf) and in disobedient ways (altars and high places other than Jerusalem). Ahab introduced the worship of completely new, pagan gods. In his disobedience Jeroboam said, I will worship the Lord, but do it my way. Ahab said, I want to forget about the Lord completely and worship Baal.”
1Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.
1Kings 16:32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
1Kings 16:33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.
One of the main influences for evil in Ahab’s life was his wife Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal, the king of Zidon (Tyre). She led him to practice the worship of Baal. Ahab even built a house for an altar to Baal in Samaria. Ahab also made a grove, an image to Asherah (aka Astarte and Ishtar), a Phoenician goddess. According to Easton’s Dictionary, this image’s “…symbol was the stem of a tree deprived of its boughs, and rudely shaped into an image, and planted in the ground.”
Again the IVP Commentary adds some insight: “The goddess was popular in the religious deviations in Israel and was sometimes considered a consort of Yahweh. An indication of this belief is found in the inscriptions from Kuntillet Ajrud and Khirbet el-Qom. In Canaanite mythology she was the consort of the chief god, El. She appears in Mesopotamian literature as early as the eighteenth century, where she is consort of the Amorite god Amurru. The cult symbol may or may not have born a representation of the deity on it. The pole may represent an artificial tree since Asherah is often associated with sacred groves. Sometimes the cult object can be made or built, while on other occasions it is planted. We have little information of the function of these poles in ritual practice.”
1Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.
This chapter closes with a note stating that it was during Ahab’s reign that Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. The NIV is a bit easier to understand.
1 Kings 16:34 “In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho. He laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun.”
The prophecy from Joshua (some 500 years earlier) to which he referred is from Joshua 6.
Joshua 6:26 “And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it.”
I think the main reason for this little note at the end of this chapter is to point out yet another fulfilled prophecy from the LORD.