1 Kings 16:8-14

8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah the son of Baasha became king over Israel at Tirzah, and reigned two years.

9 His servant ¹Zimri, commander of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was at Tirzah drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, ²who was over the household at Tirzah.

10 Then Zimri went in and struck him and put him to death in the twenty-seventh * year of Asa king of Judah, and became king in his place.

11 It came about when he became king, as soon as he sat on his throne, that ³he killed all the household of Baasha; he did not leave a single male *, neither of his relatives nor of his friends.

12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha, ⁴according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke against Baasha through ⁵Jehu the prophet,

13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and which they made Israel sin, ⁶provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols.

14 ⁷Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles * of the Kings of Israel?

1 Kings 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 9:30-33
• 2. Genesis 24:2; Genesis 39:4; 1 Kings 18:3
• 3. 1 Kings 15:29; 1 Kings 16:3
• 4. 1 Kings 16:3
• 5. 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 20:34
• 6. Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Kings 15:30
• 7. 1 Kings 16:5

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "smote"
• [b]. Lit "him who urinates against the wall"
• [c]. Lit "redeemers"
• [d]. Lit "vanities"