(16) Made Omri . . . king.—This exaltation of Omri, as a matter of course, shows how entirely the kingdom of Israel had become the prize of the sword. By a curious coincidence (see 1 Kings 15:27) the dynasty of Baasha had been founded in the camp before the same city of Gibbethon. Zimri’s conspiracy appears to have been hastily planned, with no provision of adequate means of support; for Tirzah is taken at once. read more
Some Lessons From an Unfamiliar Text 1 Kings 16:25 ; 1 Kings 16:30 I. Very bad men may have worse sons. We are told that Omri was a worse-living man than any other man that had lived up till that time, but he had a son, and it is said of his son that he was worse, worse even than his wicked father. II. Bad men may make things worse by unholy friendships. Ahab was worse than Omri, but Ahab was worse in his manhood than he was in his youth, because he married a woman who stirred him up to do... read more
THE KINGS OF ISRAEL FROM ZIMRI TO AHAB1 Kings 16:11-34As far as we can understand from our meager authorities-and we have no independent source of information-we infer that Elah, son of the powerful Baasha, was a self-indulgent weakling. The army of Israel was encamped against Gibbethon-originally a Levitical town of the Kohathites, in the territory of Dan-which they hoped to wrest from the Philistines. It was during the interminable and intermittent siege of this town that Nadab, the son of... read more
4. Kings of Israel CHAPTERS 15:25-16 1. Nadab, King of Israel (1 Kings 15:25-32 ) 2. Baasha, King of Israel (1 Kings 15:34 ; 1 Kings 16:1-7 ) 3. Elah, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:8-14 ) 4. Zimri, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:15-20 ) 5. Divisions (1 Kings 16:21-22 ) 6. Omri, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:23-28 ) 7. Ahab (1 Kings 16:29-34 ) Six kings of Israel are now mentioned. Asa saw them all ascending the throne of Israel. The first mentioned is Nadab, the son of Jeroboam, who... read more
The Lord had another servant to bring a solemn message to Baasha. Jehu, the son of Hanani, was the messenger at this time (v.1). Though the history records that Baasha had murdered his master to take his place as king, yet God tells Baasha that He (God) had lifted him out of the dust to make him ruler over Israel. We may be sure Baasha had not considered God at all in his taking the kingdom, but now he is faced with the fact that God required something of him because God had given him the... read more
ASA TO AHAB ABIJAM’S BRIEF REIGN IN JUDAH (1 Kings 15:1-8 ) This commentary will permit but the briefest treatment of the less important reigns of Judah and Israel, that more attention may be given to the others. “Abijam” is called “Abijah” in 2 Chronicles 12:16 . Verse 5, referring to David, is to be taken in the comparative sense spoken of in the lesson preceding. Verse 6 is a mistake, as some copies of the text read “Abijam” for “Rehoboam.’ Since Abijam began to reign in the eighteenth... read more
Elah, Zimri, and Arza 1Ki 16:16 There was once a king in Israel called Elah. He reigned over Israel in Tirzah two years. He had a servant called Zimri who was a captain of his chariots. Zimri was a born traitor. Treachery was in his very blood. In the case of Elah, Zimri had a marked advantage; for Elah was a drunken fool; he was in the habit of visiting the house of another of his servants, a steward called Arza, and there he had what drink he asked for; and he asked for a good deal, so much... read more
(15) ¶ In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. (16) And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp. (17) And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. (18) And it came to pass, when... read more
All Israel, that was in the army, while others took part with Zambri. (Worthington) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 16:1-34
The Reigns of Elah, Zimri, and Omri1. Jehu the son of Hanani] Hanani is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 16:7-10. Jehu’s denunciation of Baasha is similar to Ahijah’s denunciation of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7-11). 9. As he was.. drunk] Elah’s incapacity and dissoluteness doubtless tempted Zimri to aspire to the throne.13. Vanities] i.e. idols, and so in 1 Kings 16:26.15. Gibbethon] see 1 Kings 15:27. The siege, begun in the reign of Nadab, had apparently not succeeded, and had been resumed. 18. Palace]... read more