Now there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel throughout their days.
We have here a short account of the reign of Asa; we shall find a more copious history of it Ch2 14:1-15, 15, and Ch2 16:1-14. Here is, I. The length of it: He reigned forty-one years in Jerusalem, Kg1 15:10.
Commenting on 1 Kings 15:9-24
And it came to pass, when Baasha heard thereof,.... What was doing in the northern part of his kingdom: that he left off building of Ramah; which was the thing designed to be answered by this diversion: and dwelt in Tirzah; in the tribe of Manasseh, nearer at hand, to observe and stop the motions of the Syrian king.
there was war between Asa and Baasha king of Israel all their days--Asa enjoyed a ten years' peace after Jeroboam's defeat by Abijam, and this interval was wisely and energetically spent in making internal reforms, as well as increasing the means of national defense (Ch2 14:1-7).