King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 15:19 Mean?

1 Kings 15:19 in the King James Version says “There is a league between me and thee, and between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent unto thee a present of ...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 15 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. depart: Heb. go up”

1 Kings 15:19 · KJV

Context

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.

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,

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. depart: Heb. go up

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.

21

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof, that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

Read 1 Kings 15 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of kings of judah and israel: abijam, asa, nadab, baasha, within the book's focus on spiritual decline of both kingdoms under various rulers.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. This period (c. 930-850 BCE) saw rapid succession and instability, especially in the northern kingdom.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage illustrate the importance of complete obedience to God's word without compromise?
  2. What does Elijah's ministry reveal about God's character and His commitment to His covenant people?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
בְּרִֽיתְךָ֙1 of 23

“There is a league”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

בֵּינִ֣י2 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

וּבֵינֶ֔ךָ3 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

בֵּ֥ין4 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אָבִ֑יךָ5 of 23

“and thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וּבֵ֣ין6 of 23
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

אָבִ֑יךָ7 of 23

“and thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

הִנֵּה֩8 of 23
H2009

lo!

שָׁלַ֨חְתִּי9 of 23

“behold I have sent”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

לְךָ֥10 of 23
H0
שֹׁ֙חַד֙11 of 23

“unto thee a present”

H7810

a donation (venal or redemptive)

כֶּ֣סֶף12 of 23

“of silver”

H3701

silver (from its pale color); by implication, money

וְזָהָ֔ב13 of 23

“and gold”

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לֵ֣ךְ14 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

הָפֵ֗רָה15 of 23

“and break”

H6565

to break up (usually figuratively), i.e., to violate, frustrate

אֶת16 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בְּרִֽיתְךָ֙17 of 23

“There is a league”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֶת18 of 23
H854

properly, nearness (used only as a preposition or an adverb), near; hence, generally, with, by, at, among, etc

בַּעְשָׁ֣א19 of 23

“with Baasha”

H1201

basha, a king of israel

מֶֽלֶךְ20 of 23

“king”

H4428

a king

יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל21 of 23

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

וְיַֽעֲלֶ֖ה22 of 23

“that he may depart”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

מֵֽעָלָֽי׃23 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 15:19 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 15:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Romans 1:312 Chronicles 16:32 Chronicles 16:72 Chronicles 19:2Isaiah 31:1Romans 3:8

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