1 Kings 16:16

16 The troops in their camp heard it said that Zimri had plotted and killed the king, whereupon that same day, there in the camp, all Isra'el made 'Omri, the commander of the army, king over Isra'el.

1 Kings 16:16 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 16:16

And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath
conspired, and hath also slain the king
Tidings came to the army of what he had done, which was displeasing to them:

wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over
Israel that day in the camp;
that is, all Israel that were in the army proclaimed Omri, their general, king; just as the Roman army declared Vespasian, their general, emperor of Rome, and as several of the emperors were chosen.

1 Kings 16:16 In-Context

14 Other activities of Elah and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

15 It was in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Y'hudah that Zimri ruled for seven days in Tirtzah. At that time, the army was besieging Gib'ton, which belonged to the P'lishtim.

16 The troops in their camp heard it said that Zimri had plotted and killed the king, whereupon that same day, there in the camp, all Isra'el made 'Omri, the commander of the army, king over Isra'el.

17 'Omri and all Isra'el with him withdrew from Gib'ton and besieged Tirtzah.

18 When Zimri saw that the city had been captured, he went into the citadel of the royal palace and burned down the royal palace over him, so that he died.