1 Kings 15:18 – “Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, King Asa of Judah takes a strategic step in response to the threat posed by Baasha, king of Israel. Asa collects all the remaining silver and gold from the temple of the Lord and his royal palace, then sends it as a gift to Ben-Hadad, king of Aram (Syria), who was based in Damascus. This move was part of Asa’s plan to form an alliance with Ben-Hadad, hoping that this alliance would break Baasha’s hold over Judah by pressuring Israel on another front. Essentially, Asa sought to use diplomatic and military strategies to counter the growing threat posed by Baasha’s fortification of Ramah, mentioned in the previous verse.
Historical Context
At this point in Israel’s history, the kingdom was divided into two: the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Asa ruled over Judah, while Baasha was king of Israel. Baasha had fortified Ramah, which was a strategic town near the border, in an attempt to isolate Judah and prevent anyone from entering or leaving Asa’s territory.
Ben-Hadad, king of Aram, was a powerful figure in the region. By sending silver and gold to Ben-Hadad, Asa was essentially buying his military support. Asa’s hope was that by drawing Aram into an alliance, Ben-Hadad would attack Israel from the north, forcing Baasha to withdraw from Ramah. While Asa’s plan succeeded in the short term, it’s important to recognize that Asa’s reliance on a foreign king, rather than on God, may have shown a lack of full trust in God’s provision.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse challenges us to consider where we place our trust when facing difficult circumstances. Asa was a king known for his devotion to God and his religious reforms, but in this instance, he turned to human alliances and wealth to solve his problem. While it’s natural to seek practical solutions, this action raises the question of whether Asa was relying more on human wisdom and power than on God’s guidance.
This verse highlights the tension between using practical, worldly means to address challenges and fully relying on God’s sovereignty and provision. Asa’s choice to use the temple’s treasures for a military alliance, rather than seeking God’s help, illustrates the temptation to trust in material resources and political strategies over spiritual dependence.
Literary Analysis
In the broader narrative of 1 Kings, this verse marks a turning point in Asa’s response to Baasha’s aggression. It shifts the focus from Baasha’s initial military move to Asa’s strategic response. The use of temple treasures, which were set apart for worship and God’s glory, for political and military purposes creates a contrast between sacred resources and worldly solutions. The mention of Ben-Hadad and Damascus draws attention to the international dimension of this conflict, showing how intertwined the politics of the ancient Near East were.
The narrative structure also emphasizes Asa’s sense of urgency—he uses both the temple’s and his own palace’s treasures, suggesting that he was willing to exhaust all his resources to secure Judah’s safety. However, the text subtly invites the reader to question whether this decision was truly wise, given that Asa had access to God’s power and guidance.
Biblical Cross-References
- 2 Chronicles 16:7-9 offers a critical assessment of Asa’s reliance on Ben-Hadad, where the prophet Hanani rebukes Asa for not relying on the Lord in this situation.
- Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds believers to trust in the Lord with all their heart and not to lean on their own understanding, which contrasts with Asa’s decision to seek a foreign alliance.
- 2 Kings 12:18 recounts a similar situation where King Joash of Judah used temple treasures to buy off a foreign king, showing a pattern of kings resorting to human solutions.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For today’s Christian, this verse serves as a reminder to examine where we place our trust in times of trouble. Like Asa, we may be tempted to rely on our resources, skills, or human alliances when facing challenges. While practical solutions are not wrong in themselves, this verse encourages believers to first turn to God in prayer and seek His guidance before relying on worldly means. It also prompts us to consider how we use the resources God has entrusted to us—whether we use them for His purposes or for short-term solutions to our problems.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in His desire for His people to rely on Him completely, knowing that He is capable of delivering them from any challenge. Asa’s choice to rely on human alliances instead of seeking God’s help shows the struggle between faith and self-reliance. Despite Asa’s decision, God’s love and patience remained with him throughout his reign. God’s love is not diminished by our failures to fully trust Him, but He desires us to grow in faith and dependence on Him for all aspects of life, including times of crisis.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Asa’s reliance on Ben-Hadad and the treasures of the temple points forward to the greater truth that true security and peace cannot be bought or achieved through human alliances. Jesus Christ, the ultimate King, came to offer a peace that the world cannot give (John 14:27). While Asa looked to human kings for help, Jesus is the King who needs no alliance—He defeated sin, death, and all spiritual powers through His death and resurrection. Jesus invites us to trust fully in Him, as He is the ultimate source of deliverance and protection.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there situations in your life where you are tempted to rely on worldly solutions rather than trusting in God’s guidance and provision?
- How can Asa’s decision to use temple treasures for political purposes challenge us to think about how we steward the resources God has given us?
- In what ways does Jesus offer a greater solution to the challenges and conflicts we face, compared to the temporary solutions of human alliances and strategies?
This verse encourages us to place our trust in God, even when human solutions seem more immediate or practical, and to remember that Jesus is the ultimate source of our security and peace.