1 Kings 16:9

9 et rebellavit contra eum servus suus Zamri dux mediae partis equitum erat autem Hela in Thersa bibens et temulentus in domo Arsa praefecti Thersa

1 Kings 16:9 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 16:9

And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots
His military chariots; there were two captains of them, and this was one of them; so the Targum,

``one of the two masters or captains of the chariots:''

conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah drinking himself drunk in
the house of Arza, steward of his house in Tirzah;
who had the charge of his wine and other liquors, to which he was addicted beyond measure; and this was a fit opportunity for Zimri to fall upon him, and slay him, when he was drunk, and off his guard, and his army at the same time was besieging Gibbethon, ( 1 Kings 16:15 ) so that there was a very great likeness in what befell the family of Baasha, to that of the family of Jeroboam; for as the son of the one, and of the other, reigned but two years, so they were both slain by their servants, and both at a time when Gibbethon was besieged; the Targum takes this Arza to be the temple of an idol so called, near the royal palace.

1 Kings 16:9 In-Context

7 cum autem in manu Hieu filii Anani prophetae verbum Domini factum esset contra Baasa et contra domum eius et contra omne malum quod fecerat coram Domino ad inritandum eum in operibus manuum suarum ut fieret sicut domus Hieroboam ob hanc causam occidit eum

8 anno vicesimo sexto Asa regis Iuda regnavit Hela filius Baasa super Israhel in Thersa duobus annis

9 et rebellavit contra eum servus suus Zamri dux mediae partis equitum erat autem Hela in Thersa bibens et temulentus in domo Arsa praefecti Thersa

10 inruens ergo Zamri percussit et occidit eum anno vicesimo septimo Asa regis Iuda et regnavit pro eo

11 cumque regnasset et sedisset super solium eius percussit omnem domum Baasa et non dereliquit ex eo mingentem ad parietem et propinquos et amicos eius