Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 16:15-28

Solomon observes (Prov. 28:2) that for the transgression of a land many were the princes thereof (so it was here in Israel), but by a man of understanding the state thereof shall be prolonged?so it was with Judah at the same time under Asa. When men forsake God they are out of the way of rest and establishment. Zimri, and Tibni, and Omri, are here striving for the crown. Proud aspiring men ruin one another, and involve others in the ruin. These confusions end in the settlement of Omri; we must... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 16:29-34

We have here the beginning of the reign of Ahab, of whom we have more particulars recorded than of any of the kings of Israel. We have here only a general idea given us of him, as the worst of all the kings, that we may expect what the particulars will be. He reigned twenty-two years, long enough to do a great deal of mischief. I. He exceeded all his predecessors in wickedness, did evil above all that were before him (1 Kgs. 16:30), and, as if it were done with a particular enmity both to God... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:27

Now the rest of the acts of Omri, which he did, and his might which he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? Where those of the preceding kings were written, see 1 Kings 14:19 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:28

So Omri slept with his fathers ,.... Died a natural death: and was buried in Samaria ; the city he had built, and now the royal seat and metropolis of the kingdom: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead ; of whom much is said in the following history. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:29

And in the thirty fifth year of Asa king of Judah began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel ,.... At the latter end of it, the same year his father died, see 1 Kings 16:23 . and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty two years ; the same number of years Jeroboam did, 1 Kings 14:20 . read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:30

And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, above all that were before him. Adding other idols to the calves, and those more abominable than they; since the other kings pretended to worship God in them, but he worshipped other gods besides him, as the following verses show. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:31

And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sin of Jeroboam the son of Nebat ,.... To worship the golden calves he set up: that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians ; who is called Ithobalus and Itobalus king of the Tyrians, by Heathen historians F8 Menander apud Joseph. Antiqu. l. 8. c. 13. sect. 1, 2. & contr. Apion. l. 1. c. 21. Diodor. Sicul. apud Junium in loc. ; and, by Theophilus of Antioch F9 Ad... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:32

And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. That he might not go so far as Tyre or Zidon; and for his wife's convenience also he built a temple in Samaria for Baal, and erected an altar there to offer sacrifices upon it unto him; so open and daring was he in his idolatrous practices. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:33

And Ahab made a grove ,.... About the temple of Baal, or elsewhere, in which he placed an idol, and where all manner of filthiness was secretly committed; or rather "Asherah", rendered "grove", is Astarte, the goddess of the Zidonians, an image of which Ahab made: and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him : his idolatries being more open and barefaced, and without any excuse, presence, or colour, as well as more... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:34

And in his days did Hiel the Bethelite build Jericho ,.... Which was forbidden by Joshua under an anathema; but this man, either ignorant of that adjuration of Joshua, or in contempt and defiance of it, and knowing it might please the king and queen, set about the rebuilding of it; and it being done by the leave and under the authority of Ahab, is mentioned together with his wicked actions: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn : that is, his firstborn died as soon as he... read more

Group of Brands