Baasha

Baasha (meaning bravery or he who lays waste) was the third king of the northern kingdom of Israel and the founder of a short-lived dynasty. He came to power c. 909 B.C. by assassinating Nadab, son of Jeroboam I, at the siege of Gibbethon — fulfilling the prophecy of Ahijah against Jeroboam's house — and proceeded to kill all of Jeroboam's descendants, eliminating the rival dynasty entirely. His reign of twenty-four years was characterized by perpetual war with Judah, particularly with King Asa.

Baasha's military pressure against Judah prompted Asa to make an alliance with Ben-hadad of Syria, who invaded Israel from the north and forced Baasha to abandon his fortification of Ramah. The prophet Jehu son of Hanani announced divine judgment against Baasha for walking in all the sins of Jeroboam and for destroying Jeroboam's house while doing no differently himself — the same condemnation that had fallen on the dynasty he replaced. His son Elah succeeded him but reigned only two years before being assassinated in the same pattern, ending the dynasty Baasha had established.