In the twenty sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. Not complete, for he died in the twenty seventh of Asa, 1 Kings 16:10 he reigned just the time that Nadab the son of Jeroboam did, 1 Kings 15:25 . read more
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... read more
And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him ,.... When in his drunken fit: and this was in the twenty seventh year of Asa ; when Elah had not reigned two full years: and reigned in his stead ; that is, Zimri; his reign was short indeed, but seven days, 1 Kings 16:15 . read more
And it came to pass when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne ,.... Perhaps the very first day, that he slew all the house of Baasha ; his whole family, all the children that he had, that there might be none to make pretensions to the throne: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks nor of his friends ; not any that might avenge the blood of his family, that might have a right or inclination to do it. read more
Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the Lord, which he spoke against Baasha by Jehu the prophet. That not only his posterity, but all any way related to him, should be cut off; yea, it seems to have been carried further, even to all that were in any connection with him in point of friendship, see 1 Kings 16:3 . read more
For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son ,.... By which it appears that the son trod in the steps of his father, and was therefore cut off: by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities ; their idols, which had nothing in them, and cannot be of any service to their worshippers; and to serve such, and neglect the worship of the true God, and draw others into the same iniquity, must be very... read more
Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? See 1 Kings 16:5 . read more
Captain of half his chariots - It is probable that Zimri, and some other who is not here named, were commanders of the cavalry. read more
He slew all the house of Baasha - He endeavored to exterminate his race, and blot out his memory; and the Jews say, when such a matter is determined, they not only destroy the house of the person himself, but the five neighboring houses, that the memory of such a person may perish from the earth. read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 16:1-14
Here is, I. The ruin of the family of Baasha foretold. He was a man likely enough to have raised and established his family?active, politic, and daring; but he was an idolater, and this brought destruction upon his family. 1. God sent him warning of it before. (1.) That, if he were thereby wrought upon to repent and reform, the ruin might be prevented; for God threatens, that he may not strike, as one that desires not the death of sinners. (2.) That, if not, it might appear that the... read more