And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.

1 KINGS 15:25KJV
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1 Kings 15:25 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 15:25 mean?

1 Kings 15:25 marks a change of kings in Israel: Nadab took the throne after his father, Jeroboam. The verse places Nadab’s rule alongside that of Asa, who was king of the separate kingdom of Judah, and reports that Nadab ruled for two years.

The narrator dates Nadab’s accession by referring to Asa’s reign. For the original audience, that reference placed the change of rulers within the history of both kingdoms.

Why 1 Kings 15:25 matters

  • The reference to Asa does not make him Nadab’s fellow king over the same territory. Asa ruled Judah, while Nadab ruled Israel.

  • “Two years” is the length assigned to Nadab’s reign, not necessarily two complete years from the exact day he became king. The account places his accession in Asa’s second year and his death in Asa’s third year (1 Kings 15:28).

  • Nadab’s family connection matters to the account that follows. He is identified as Jeroboam’s son here, and the later description of his conduct refers back to his father (1 Kings 15:26).

Where else these words appear

“Nadab” Hebrew H5070 · used in 20 verses

  • Exodus 6:23 And Aaron took him Elisheba, daughter of Amminadab, sister of Naashon, to wife; and she bare him Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar.
  • Numbers 3:4 And Nadab and Abihu died before the LORD, when they offered strange fire before the LORD, in the wilderness of Sinai, and they had no children: and Eleazar and Ithamar ministered in the priest's office in the sight of Aaron their father.
  • 1 Chronicles 2:28 And the sons of Onam were, Shammai, and Jada. And the sons of Shammai; Nadab, and Abishur.

“Asa” Hebrew H609 · used in 52 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:8 And Abijam slept with his fathers; and they buried him in the city of David: and Asa his son reigned in his stead.
  • 1 Kings 16:15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:10 So they gathered themselves together at Jerusalem in the third month, in the fifteenth year of the reign of Asa.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 14:30 And there was war between Rehoboam and Jeroboam all their days.
  • 2 Kings 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.