1 Kings 16:1-14

Baasha King of Israel

1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu son of Hanani concerning Baasha:
2 “I lifted you up from the dust and appointed you ruler over my people Israel, but you followed the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to arouse my anger by their sins.
3 So I am about to wipe out Baasha and his house, and I will make your house like that of Jeroboam son of Nebat.
4 Dogs will eat those belonging to Baasha who die in the city, and birds will feed on those who die in the country.”
5 As for the other events of Baasha’s reign, what he did and his achievements, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?
6 Baasha rested with his ancestors and was buried in Tirzah. And Elah his son succeeded him as king.
7 Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the LORD, arousing his anger by the things he did, becoming like the house of Jeroboam—and also because he destroyed it.

Elah King of Israel

8 In the twenty-sixth year of Asa king of Judah, Elah son of Baasha became king of Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah two years.
9 Zimri, one of his officials, who had command of half his chariots, plotted against him. Elah was in Tirzah at the time, getting drunk in the home of Arza, the palace administrator at Tirzah.
10 Zimri came in, struck him down and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah. Then he succeeded him as king.
11 As soon as he began to reign and was seated on the throne, he killed off Baasha’s whole family. He did not spare a single male, whether relative or friend.
12 So Zimri destroyed the whole family of Baasha, in accordance with the word of the LORD spoken against Baasha through the prophet Jehu—
13 because of all the sins Baasha and his son Elah had committed and had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.
14 As for the other events of Elah’s reign, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel?

1 Kings 16:1-14 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 18

  • 1. ver 7; 2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 20:34
  • 2. 2 Chronicles 16:7
  • 3. 1 Samuel 2:8
  • 4. S 1 Kings 14:7-9
  • 5. S 1 Kings 12:30; 1 Kings 15:34
  • 6. 2 Kings 9:9
  • 7. ver 11; 1 Kings 14:10; 1 Kings 15:29; 1 Kings 21:22
  • 8. S 1 Kings 14:11
  • 9. S Genesis 40:19
  • 10. 1 Kings 14:19; 1 Kings 15:31
  • 11. S 1 Kings 14:17; 1 Kings 15:33
  • 12. S 1 Kings 6:11; 1 Kings 15:27,29
  • 13. S ver 1
  • 14. 1 Kings 20:12,16; Proverbs 31:4-5; 2 Kings 9:30-33
  • 15. 1 Kings 18:3
  • 16. 2 Kings 9:31
  • 17. S ver 3
  • 18. S Deuteronomy 32:21; 1 Samuel 12:21; Isaiah 41:29
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