Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

1 KINGS 16:5KJV
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1 Kings 16:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 16:5 mean?

1 Kings 16:5 closes the account of Baasha’s reign by pointing readers to a record that contained more about him. The verse presents the account in Kings as a selection from a fuller history of his actions and military strength.

The narrator asks a question that expects a yes: “are they not written?” The question directs the first readers toward a named royal record as the account of Baasha’s reign draws to a close.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 16:5

  • “acts” — דְּבָרִים (devarim): The word can mean “matters” or “affairs” as well as actions. Here it points broadly to the events and business of Baasha’s reign.
  • “might” — גְּבוּרָה (gevurah): The word carries the sense of strength or powerful achievement. In an account of a king, the word can include the exercise of military power.

Why 1 Kings 16:5 matters

  • The named record concerns the kings of Israel, the northern kingdom. Baasha ruled there, while a separate line of kings ruled Judah in the south.
  • The verse points to a source distinct from the biblical books now called 1 and 2 Chronicles. Its title is “the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel,” a record referred to in Kings but not known to survive today.
  • The note about Baasha’s might sits beside a severe judgment on his household in the preceding verses. The account gives both kinds of information a place in its closing lines.

Where else these words appear

“Baasha” Hebrew H1201 · used in 26 verses

  • 1 Kings 15:16 And there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days.
  • 1 Kings 15:33 In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years.
  • 1 Kings 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,

“might” Hebrew H1369 · used in 61 verses

  • Exodus 32:18 And he said, It is not the voice of them that shout for mastery, neither is it the voice of them that cry for being overcome: but the noise of them that sing do I hear.
  • Job 26:14 Lo, these are parts of his ways: but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power who can understand?
  • Proverbs 8:14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.

“rest” Hebrew H3499 · used in 95 verses

  • Genesis 49:3 Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power:
  • 1 Kings 22:45 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, and his might that he shewed, and how he warred, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?
  • 2 Chronicles 28:26 Now the rest of his acts and of all his ways, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.