Nadab נָדָב
King of Israel, son of Jeroboam I, reigned briefly.
Who is Nadab in the Bible?
Nadab was the son of Jeroboam I and the second king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning for only two years before his assassination (1 Kings 15:25). Like his father, he did evil in the sight of the Lord by continuing idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of golden calves that Jeroboam had established (1 Kings 15:26). While Nadab was besieging the Philistine town of Gibbethon, Baasha, a man from the tribe of Issachar, conspired against him and murdered him, then took the throne himself (1 Kings 15:27). Nadab's brief and violent reign illustrates the spiritual decline and political instability that marked the divided kingdom of Israel during this period.
Biography
Nadab was the son of Jeroboam I, the first king of the northern kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. He succeeded his father as king and reigned over Israel for two years (1Ki.15.25).
Like his father, Nadab did evil in the sight of the Lord, following in the ways of Jeroboam and leading the people of Israel into sin (1Ki.15.26). This likely refers to the continuation of the idolatrous practices instituted by Jeroboam, such as the worship of golden calves at Bethel and Dan (1Ki.12.28-33).
During Nadab's reign, he went to war against the Philistines and besieged the town of Gibbethon (1Ki.15.27). While he was there, Baasha, a man from the tribe of Issachar, conspired against him and assassinated him (1Ki.15.27). Baasha then succeeded Nadab as king of Israel.
After Nadab's death, Baasha killed all the members of Jeroboam's household, fulfilling the prophecy spoken by Ahijah the Shilonite against Jeroboam's dynasty (1Ki.14.10-11; 15.29). This act was a judgment against the house of Jeroboam for the sins they had committed and the idolatry they had promoted in Israel.
Nadab's brief reign and his assassination demonstrate the instability and turmoil that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel, as well as the consequences of disobedience to God and the continuation of idolatrous practices.
Family
In Scripture
1 biblical book1 Kings 4 verses
- 1 Kings 14:20
"And the length of Jeroboam’s reign was twenty-two years, and he rested with his fathers, and his son Nadab reigned in his place."
- 1 Kings 15:25
"In the second year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Nadab son of Jeroboam became king of Israel, and he reigned two years."
- 1 Kings 15:27
"Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city."
- 1 Kings 15:31
"As for the rest of the acts of Nadab, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | נָדָב | Nadab , the name of four Israelites |