מלכים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק י״ג

The destruction of the royal house was the direct consequence of the mounting sins committed by Baasha and his son Elah. A special level of severity is attached to their actions because their failures were not limited to personal wrongdoing. Instead, they actively caused the entire nation of Israel to fall into sin alongside them.

The primary approach among commentators explains that these kings deeply angered God by chasing after things that were entirely empty and lacked any real substance. Rather than dedicating themselves to true spiritual work that held genuine weight and value, their actions were defined by a pursuit of baseless superstitions.