1 Kings 16:1-10

1 The LORD spoke his word to Jehu, Hanani's son, against Baasha.
2 He said, "I raised you from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel. But you have lived like Jeroboam. You have led my people to sin, and their sins make me furious.
3 So I will destroy Baasha and his family. I will make his family like the family of Jeroboam (Nebat's son).
4 Dogs will eat anyone from Baasha's [family] who dies in the city. Birds will eat anyone from his [family] who dies in the country."
5 Isn't everything else about Baasha--what he did and his heroic acts--written in the official records of the kings of Israel?
6 Baasha lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah. His son Elah succeeded him as king.
7 In addition, the LORD spoke his word to the prophet Jehu, Hanani's son, against Baasha and his family because of all the things Baasha did which the LORD considered evil. Baasha's actions, which made the LORD furious, were like [the sin of] Jeroboam's family. The LORD was also furious because Baasha destroyed Jeroboam's family.
8 Elah, son of Baasha, began to rule Israel in Asa's twenty-sixth year as Judah's king. He ruled in Tirzah for two years.
9 But Zimri, the general who commanded half of Elah's chariots, plotted against him. Elah was getting drunk in Tirzah at Arza's house. (Arza was in charge of the palace in Tirzah.)
10 Zimri entered Arza's house, attacked Elah, and killed him in Asa's twenty-seventh year as king of Judah. Zimri succeeded Elah as king [of Israel].

1 Kings 16:1-10 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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