Bible Figure
Baasha (king)
Baasha was a king of northern Israel who seized the throne by killing Nadab and exterminated Jeroboam's dynasty, but then repeated Jeroboam's sins.
Biography
Baasha son of Ahijah of Issachar assassinated Nadab during the siege of Gibbethon and killed the remaining house of Jeroboam. Although this fulfilled prophetic judgment, Baasha himself continued the same idolatrous policies. He fought Asa of Judah and fortified Ramah to restrict movement, prompting Asa to ally with Ben-hadad of Aram and force Baasha to withdraw. The prophet Jehu son of Hanani announced that because Baasha had followed Jeroboam's way, his own house would suffer a similar end. After Baasha's death his son Elah succeeded him, but the dynasty was soon destroyed by Zimri.
Biblical Significance
Baasha illustrates that being an instrument of judgment does not excuse one's own disobedience. His dynasty repeated the sins it had been used to punish and consequently received the same prophetic sentence.