1 Kings 16:15-20 ASV

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 16:15-17

1 Kings 16:15-17. The people were encamped against Gibbethon Which had been besieged many years before, but, it seems, was then relieved or afterward recovered by the Philistines, while the Israelites were in a distracted condition through civil broils and contentions. It was, however, now again invested. The people heard say, Zimri has conspired, &c. Notice was soon brought to the camp that Zimri had slain their king, and set up himself in Tirzah, the royal city; whereupon they chose... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 16:18

1 Kings 16:18. When Zimri saw that the city was taken Tirzah, though a beautiful city, it seems, was not fortified; so that Omri soon made himself master of it, and forced Zimri into the palace; which, as he was unable to defend, and yet unwilling to surrender it, he burned, and himself in it: grudging that his rival should ever enjoy so sumptuous a palace, and fearing that if he fell into the hands of his enemies, either alive or dead, he should be ignominiously treated. See to what... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 16:19

1 Kings 16:19. For his sins which he sinned Though he lived but a very short time after he usurped the crown, yet he gave sufficient demonstration of his resolution to continue the idolatry of Jeroboam; and therefore he was abandoned by God. Add to this, the whole course of his life seems to have been wicked, and this is justly charged upon him because of his impenitency. read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:1-20

After Jeroboam (15:25-16:20)As predicted by Ahijah, Jeroboam’s dynasty soon came to an end. His son Nadab was murdered by Baasha, one of his army generals, who then declared himself king. Baasha quickly removed all possible rivals by destroying Jeroboam’s entire family (25-34; cf. 14:11-14). However, Baasha was no better than Jeroboam. Because he followed Jeroboam’s policies, he would suffer Jeroboam’s fate (16:1-4). Just as Baasha brought Jeroboam’s dynasty to an end by murdering Jeroboam’s... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 16:19

sins. Some codices read "sin", as in 1 Kings 16:26 . Committed not merely during the seven days' reign, but during his whole life, of course. make Israel to sin. See note on 1 Kings 14:16 . read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 16:20

are they not written. ? Figure of speech Erotesis . App-6 . read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 16:15

THE SEVEN-DAY REIGN OF ZIMRI"In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. Now the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. And the people which were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also smitten the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp. And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. And it came to... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 16:18

1 Kings 16:18. And burned the king's house over him with fire— Some interpreters would rather have it, that Omri set the royal palace on fire, in order to burn Zimri in it, who had retired thither. The Hebrew may, indeed, bear that construction, but the other seems the most likely interpretation; nor has prophane history neglected to preserve the memory of some princes who have chosen to die in this manner, rather than fall by the sword; whereof Sardanapalus is one of the most ancient and most... read more

Robert Jamieson; A. R. Fausset; David Brown

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 16:15

15-18. did Zimri reign seven days—The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself up in the palace, he set it on fire, and, like Sardanapalus, chose to perish himself and reduce all to... read more