1 Kings 15:18

18 Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace, and he gave them to his officials. Then King Asa sent them with the following message to Aram's King Ben-hadad, Tabrimmon's son and Hezion's grandson, who ruled from Damascus:

1 Kings 15:18 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 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
What was left untaken away by Shishak king of Egypt, ( 1 Kings 14:26 ) , or what he had put there dedicated by his father and himself, ( 1 Kings 15:15 ) and be they either, they were not to be taken, especially the treasures of the house of the Lord, and put to profane use, and particularly to such bad purposes as these were:

and delivered them into the hands of his servants:
to be disposed of as next directed:

and King Asa sent them to Benhadad the son of Tabrimon, the son of
Hezion king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus;
according to some chronologers ^F23, Hezion, the grandfather of this Benhadad, is the same with Rezon the first king of Damascus, ( 1 Kings 11:23 1 Kings 11:24 ) , who was succeeded by Tabrimon, and he by Benhadad:

saying:
as follows.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F23 Usher. Annal. A. M. 3064. Marsham. Canon. Chron. Seculum 13. p. 346.

1 Kings 15:18 In-Context

16 There was war between Asa and Israel's King Baasha throughout their lifetimes.

17 Israel's King Baasha attacked Judah and fortified Ramah to prevent Judah's King Asa from moving into that area.

18 Asa took all the silver and gold that remained in the treasuries of the LORD's temple and the royal palace, and he gave them to his officials. Then King Asa sent them with the following message to Aram's King Ben-hadad, Tabrimmon's son and Hezion's grandson, who ruled from Damascus:

19 "Let's make a covenant similar to the one between our fathers. Since I have already sent you a gift of silver and gold, break your covenant with Israel's King Baasha so that he will leave me alone."

20 Ben-hadad agreed with King Asa and sent his army commanders against the cities of Israel, attacking Ijon, Dan, Abel-beth-maacah, and all Chinneroth, along with all the land of Naphtali.