Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Bravery, the third king of the separate kingdom of Israel, and founder of its second dynasty (1 Kings 15; 16; 2 Chr. 16:1-6). He was the son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar. The city of Tirzah he made the capital of his kingdom, and there he was buried, after an eventful reign of twenty-four years (1 Kings 15:33). On account of his idolatries his family was exterminated, according to the word of the prophet Jehu (1 Kings 16:3, 4, 10-13).
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
C. 953-931, third sovereign of the separate kingdom of Israel, and the founder of its second dynasty. He was son of Ahijah of the tribe of Issachar and conspired against King Nadab, (1 Kings 15:27) and killed him with his whole family. He appears to have been of humble origin. (1 Kings 16:2) It was probably in the 13th year of his reign that he made war on Asa, and began to fortify Ramah. He was defeated by the unexpected alliance of Asa with Ben-hadad I. of Damascus. Baasha died in the 24th year of his reign, and was buried in Tirzah, (Song of Solomon 6:4) which he had made his capital.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
BA'ASHA (valor), son of Ahijah, of the tribe of Issachar, third king of Israel, and founder of a dynasty, was probably of common birth, 1 Kgs 16:2, but rose to the throne by his slaughter of Nadab, king of Israel, and all his family while the king was besieging Gibbethon, a city of the Philistines. 1 Kgs 15:27. By this cruel act he undesignedly fulfilled the prophecy respecting Jeroboam's posterity. 1 Kgs 14:10. He followed in the wicked ways of Jeroboam, and was visited with the most fearful judgments of God.
The warning he received of the consequences of his conduct, 1 Kgs 16:1-5, did not induce him to forsake his evil courses. He attempted to fortify Ramah, but was stopped by the attack of Ben-hadad at Asa's prompting, 1 Kgs 15:16-21; 2 Chr 16:1-6. c. 953-930. 1 Kgs 16:3-11. See Asa.
Hitchcock's Bible Names (1869)
he that seeks, or lays waste