Melachim Alef 16:8-14

8 In the twenty and sixth year of Asa Melech Yehudah began Elah Ben Ba’asha to reign as Melech over Yisroel in Tirtzah, reigning two years.
9 And his eved (official) Zimri, captain of half his chariots, plotted a kesher against him, while Elah was in Tirtzah, drinking himself shikkor in the bais Artza, who was in charge of the Bais (palace) in Tirtzah.
10 And Zimri went in and struck him down, killed him, in the 27th year of Asa Melech Yehudah, and reigned as Melech in his place.
11 And it came to pass, when he began to reign as king, as soon as he sat on his kisse, that he slaughtered kol Bais Ba’asha; he spared him not one mashtin b’kir (one urinating against a wall, i.e., one male), not go’alim (redeemers) of his nor re’a of his.
12 Thus Zimri destroyed kol Bais Ba’asha, according to Devar Hashem, which He spoke against Ba’asha by Yehu HaNavi [2Chr 19:2; 20:34].
13 For all the chattot of Ba’asha, and the chattot of Elah Bno, by which they sinned, and by which they made Yisroel to sin, in provoking Hashem Elohei Yisroel to anger with their havalim (vanities, nothingnesses, i.e., idols).
14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the Sefer Divrei HaYamim L’Malkhei Yisroel?

Melachim Alef 16:8-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.

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