Melakhim I Chapter 15 | Aviyam and Asa, and the Differences Between Melakhim and Divrei HaYamim

Our chapter describes the reigns of Aviyam and Asa, the next in the lineage of the kings of Yehuda. The account in Melakhim focuses on certain aspects of their rule. However, when we read the parallel chapters in Divrei HaYamim, we discover significant stories that aren’t mentioned in.

1. Aviyam:
Aviyam is described in this chapter as a king who continued the sins of his father, likely referring to what is detailed in the previous chapter: At the end of Rechavam’s reign (Aviyam’s father), idolatrous practices such as high shrines, worship pillars, and sacred trees became a common phenomenon "under every shady tree" in Yehuda. Aviyam, therefore, follows a similar path, and the verses seem to "apologize" for the fact that he remained on the throne: "Yet for the sake of David, the Lord his God gave him a lamp in Jerusalem by establishing his son after him, and by upholding Jerusalem" (15:4). His kingship is portrayed as continuing solely to preserve Jerusalem for David’s sake. The verses also describe ongoing warfare between Yehuda and Israel during this time.

In Divrei HaYamim, we learn much more about this war between Yehuda and Israel. First, the text provides a shocking detail: "Aviya and his men dealt them a deadly blow, and 500,000 of Israel’s elite warriors fell slain" (Divrei HaYamim II 13:17). Additionally, the account includes a religious and moral dispute preceding the battle. Aviyam accuses the kingdom of Israel of sinning: "You have golden calves that Yerovam made for you as gods... as for us – the Lord is our God, and we have not abandoned Him... while you have abandoned Him." Intriguingly, Aviyam is depicted here as zealous for faith in God, and the text states that this was the reason for Yehuda’s victory over Israel in this war: "The Judahites grew stronger because they relied on the Lord, God of their ancestors" (Divrei HaYamim II 13:18).

What is the meaning of these differences between Melakhim and Divrei HaYamim? How should we understand the prophet’s focus in Melakhim based on the events he chose to include and his judgment of Aviyam’s character? And how should we interpret the account of the battle in Divrei HaYamim? Was Aviyam truly a great believer, or was his speech driven by other motives?

2. Asa:
Asa is described as a righteous king: "Asa did what was right in the eyes of the Lord like his ancestor David" (15:11). He eradicates the forbidden worship practices that had spread in Yehuda during the reigns of Rechavam and Aviyam. The narrative in Melakhim describes that the division of the kingdom was meant to be temporary ("I will humble David’s descendants for this purpose, but not forever" (11:39)). This raises the question of whether the emergence of a righteous king would lead to a reunification of the kingdom? We know that, in fact, it was insufficient since the kingdom was not reunified. Nonetheless, it is interesting to note a verse in Divrei HaYamim: "He gathered all of Yehuda and Binyamin and those that lived among them from Efrayim, Menashe, and Shimon, for there had been a mass immigration of Israelites when they saw what the Lord his God was with him" (Divrei HaYamim II 15:9). Here, we see that indeed, some from the kingdom of Israel joined Yehuda, due to Asa’s righteousness and God’s presence with him.

Our chapter also describes a war between Israel and Yehuda during Asa’s reign. Basha, the king of Israel, lays siege to Yehuda. Asa takes an unexpected step: He turns to the king of Aram for help, offering him treasures from the Temple as an incentive. The king of Aram intervenes, causing Basha to retreat. Another fact mentioned in our chapter is Asa’s illness toward the end of his life.

The chapters in Divrei HaYamim elaborate extensively on Asa’s reign (Divrei HaYamim II 14–16). There, we discover that the prophet harshly criticized Asa for turning to the king of Aram for help instead of seeking God: "Asa was angry with the seer, and in his rage over this, he had him thrown into prison; Asa also dealt harshly with certain people at the same time" (Divrei HaYamim II 16:10). Furthermore, even during his illness, Asa sinned by not turning to God: "Even in his illness he did not seek help from the Lord but from the healers" (Divrei HaYamim II 16:12).

There are still many questions to address regarding Asa’s reign: What explains the differences between the accounts in Melakhim and Divrei HaYamim? How did the dramatic shift in Asa’s righteousness occur? How did a righteous king come to imprison a prophet of God? And is it coincidental that Asa’s downfall begins with the war he waged against the kingdom of Israel?

Dr. Chagai Misgav elaborates on and explains the turning points in the history of Yehuda during the reign of Asa, including Asa's appeal to Aram and its implications. You can find his lecture here.