1 Kings – Chapter 15

Old Testament34 Verses

Chapter Summary

Chapter 15 of 1 Kings begins: "Now in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, Abiam reigned over Juda." The chapter centers on Asa, David and Uriah. Across its 34 verses, two threads run through the text: God's kingdom and kingship and family and covenant relationships. The Church invites us to read this chapter within the whole sweep of salvation history, where every page points toward Christ.

1Now in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, Abiam reigned over Juda.

2He reigned three years in Jerusalem: the name of his mother was Maacha, the daughter of Abessalom.

3And 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 was the heart of David, his father.

4But for David's sake the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem, to set up his son after him, and to establish Jerusalem:

5Because David had done that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and had not turned aside from any thing that he commanded him, all the days of his life, except the matter of Urias, the Hethite.

6But there was war between Roboam and Jeroboam all the time of his life.

7And the rest of the words of Abiam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Juda? And there was war between Abiam and Jeroboam.

8And Abiam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa, his son, reigned in his stead.

9So in the twentieth year of Jeroboam, king of Israel, reigned Asa, king of Juda,

10And he reigned one and forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Maacha, the daughter of Abessalom.

11And Asa did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, as did David, his father:

12And he took away the effeminate out of the land, and removed all the filth of the idols, which his fathers had made.

13Moreover, he also removed his mother, Maacha, from being the princess in the sacrifices of Priapus, and in the grove which she had consecrated to him: and he destroyed her den, and broke in pieces the filthy idol, and burnt it by the torrent Cedron:

14But the high places he did not take away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was perfect with the Lord all his days:

15And he brought in the things which his father had dedicated, and he had vowed, into the house of the Lord, silver and gold, and vessels.

16And there was war between Asa, and Baasa, king of Israel, all their days.

17And Baasa, king of Israel, went up against Juda, and built Rama, that no man might go out or come in of the side of Asa, king of Juda.

18Then Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the treasures of the king's house, and delivered it into the hands of his servants: and sent them to Benadad, son of Tabremon, the son of Hezion, king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying:

19There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: therefore I have sent thee presents of silver and gold: and I desire thee to come, and break thy league with Baasa, king of Israel, that he may depart from me.

20Benadad, hearkening to king Asa, sent the captains of his army against the cities of Israel, and they smote Ahion, and Dan, and Abeldomum Maacha, and all Cenneroth; that is all the land of Nephthali.

21And when Baasa had heard this, he left off building Rama, and returned into Thersa.

22But king Asa sent word into all Juda, saying: Let no man be excused: and they took away the stones from Rama, and the timber thereof, wherewith Baasa had been building, and with them king Asa built Gabaa of Benjamin, and Maspha.

23But the rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his strength, and all that he did, and the cities that he built, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Juda? But in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.

24And he slept with his fathers, and was buried with them in the city of David, his father. And Josaphat, his son, reigned in his place.

25But Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, reigned over Israel the second year of Asa, king of Juda: and he reigned over Israel two years.

26And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father, and in his sins, wherewith he made Israel to sin.

27And Baasa, the son of Ahias, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him, and slew him in Gebbethon, which is a city of the Philistines: for Nadab and all Israel besieged Gebbethon.

28So Baasa slew him in the third year of Asa, king of Juda, and reigned in his place.

29And when he was king, he cut off all the house of Jeroboam: he left not so much as one soul of his seed, till he had utterly destroyed him, according to the word of the Lord, which he had spoken in the hand of Ahias, the Silonite:

30Because of the sin of Jeroboam, which he had sinned, and wherewith he had made Israel to sin, and for the offence wherewith he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel.

31But the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the words of the days of the kings of Israel?

32And there was war between Asa and Baasa, the king of Israel, all their days.

33In the third year of Asa, king of Juda, Baasa, the son of Ahias, reigned over all Israel, in Thersa, four and twenty years.

34And he did evil before the Lord, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam, and in his sins, wherewith he made Israel to sin.

Important Verses in 1 Kings 15

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 was the heart of David, his father.

1 Kings 15:3

But the high places he did not take away. Nevertheless, the heart of Asa was perfect with the Lord all his days:

1 Kings 15:14

Because of the sin of Jeroboam, which he had sinned, and wherewith he had made Israel to sin, and for the offence wherewith he provoked the Lord, the God of Israel.

1 Kings 15:30

And he did evil before the Lord, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam, and in his sins, wherewith he made Israel to sin.

1 Kings 15:34

Historical Context

1 Kings belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the exiles, shown why the kingdom fell: infidelity to the covenant. Chapter 15 of 22 moves toward the climax of the book as earlier promises and conflicts converge. It is a genealogical record linking earlier promises to later generations with 34 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Asa, David and Uriah appear at the center of the events recorded here. It opens with the line: "Now in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, Abiam reigned over Juda." The chapter ends with: "And he did evil before the Lord, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam, and in his sins, wherewith he made Israel to sin. " The wider setting of 1 Kings is this: First Kings moves from the glory of Solomon—his wisdom, his Temple—to the tragic division of the kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south), and the ministry of the prophet Elijah against the idolatry of Ahab and… Catholic tradition dates the book to the period described in its introduction: Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC).

Who Wrote It

Unknown; tradition suggests Jeremiah or prophetic circles as compilers

When It Was Written

Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC)

Catholic Commentary

This chapter traces lines of descent that connect earlier promises to later figures in salvation history. A pivotal line is verse 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 was the heart of David, his…" The passage repeatedly touches on God's kingdom and kingship.

Catholic exegesis reads 1 Kings 15 within the unity of Scripture and Tradition. the Temple prefigures Christ's body and the Church (CIC 756). St. Jerome and other Fathers of the Church saw in texts like this a preparation for or reflection of Christ, the center of revelation (CIC 26).

Applied to the life of faith, the passage supports the Church's conviction that Wisdom comes from fearing the Lord. Whether read privately or heard in the liturgy, 1 Kings 15 calls for a response of faith, repentance, and charity.

Main Teachings

  • God's kingdom is not of this world; every earthly throne stands under His eternal reign.
  • The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • Sin has real consequences, but God's judgment always aims at conversion and restoration.

People in This Chapter

Asa15 mentionsDavid6 mentionsUriah1 mention

Reflection for Today

Catholic exegesis approaches 1 Kings Chapter 15 with reverence, seeking both the literal sense and the spiritual meaning ordered to Christ.

Catholic theology recognizes that Solomon's wisdom and the divided kingdom is not an abstract idea but a reality encountered in prayer, sacraments, and charity. This chapter contributes to that vision by stressing justice, charity, and the common good.

Consider praying with this chapter again at day's end, offering God gratitude for one insight received. The Church encourages daily contact with Scripture (CIC 1814) so that Christ's mind may be formed in us.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is 1 Kings Chapter 15 about?

1 Kings 15 contains 34 verses. It opens with "Now in the eighteenth year of the reign of Jeroboam, the son of Nabat, Abiam reigned over Juda." and closes with "And he did evil before the Lord, and walked in the ways of Jeroboam, and in his sins, wherewith he made Israel to sin. ". The book as a whole is historical narrative with prophetic accounts.

What is a key verse in 1 Kings 15?

One of the most significant verses is verse 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 was the heart of David, his father." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in 1 Kings Chapter 15?

This chapter mentions Asa, David, Uriah.

Who wrote 1 Kings and when?

Unknown; tradition suggests Jeremiah or prophetic circles as compilers. Events from about 970 to 850 BC; final form during the Babylonian exile (6th century BC).

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