Problem

When did Baasha die?

1 Kings 16:8 - In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.
2 Chronicles 16:1 - In the six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah, and built Ramah, to the intent that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah.

In 1 Kings 16:6-8, Baasha dies and his throne is given to his son Elah in the "twenty and sixth year of Asa". However, in 2 Chronicles 16:1, Baasha comes up against Judah in the "six and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa". How can Baasha die in the 26th year of Asa and be alive in the 36th year of Asa?


Solution

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Writing on 1 Kings 15:17, John Gill comments:

And Baasha king of Israel went up against Judah…
Which, in (2 Chronicles 16:1) is said to be in the thirty sixth year of Asa's reign, or rather of his kingdom; for it can never mean the year of his reign, for Baasha was dead many years before that, since his reign began in the third of Asa, and he reigned but twenty four years, and therefore must die in the twenty seventh of Asa; but it is to be understood of the kingdom of Judah, when it was divided from Israel; from that time to this were thirty six years, seventeen under Rehoboam, three under Abijam, so that this year must be the sixteenth of Asa; thus it is calculated in the Jewish chronology (F21), and which is followed by many of the best of our chronologers:

(F21) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 16.

Taken from http://www.studylight.org/com/geb/view.cgi?book=1ki&chapter=015&verse=017
(Footnote) parentheticals added by me

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