1 Re 16:6 Commento

This chapter relates wholly to the kingdom of Israel, and the revolutions of that kingdom - many in a little time. The utter ruin of Jeroboam's family, after it had been twenty-four years a royal family, we read of in the foregoing chapter. In this chapter we have, I. The ruin of Baasha's family, after it had been but twenty-six years a royal family, foretold by a prophet (Kg1 16:1-7), and executed by Zimri, one of his captains (Kg1 16:8-14). II. The seven days' reign of Zimri, and his sudden fall (Kg1 16:15-20). III. The struggle between Omri and Tibni, and Omri's prevalency, and his reign (Kg1 16:21-28). IV. The beginning of the reign of Ahab, of whom we shall afterwards read much (Kg1 16:29-33). V. The rebuilding of Jericho (Kg1 16:34). All this while, in Judah, things went well.

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16 This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, Kg1 16:1, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, Kg1 16:8, and who reigned but seven days, Kg1 16:15, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, Kg1 16:21, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, Kg1 16:29, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, Kg1 16:34.

And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu, the son of Hanani, came the word of the Lord against Baasha, and against his house,.... Which is here repeated, as Abarbinel thinks, because in the former prophecy the threatening was on account not of his own sin, but because he made Israel to sin; but here it is because of his own evil works, as it follows: even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the Lord, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam: worshipping the golden calves as they did: and because he killed him; either Jeroboam; for, according to Dr. Lightfoot (b), he was alive this year; rather Nadab the son of Jeroboam, who it is certain was slain by Baasha; though it may refer, as Abarbinel thinks, to the whole house of Jeroboam; though it was agreeable to the will of God, yet was not done by Baasha with any regard to it, but to gratify his malice and ambition, and therefore punishable for it. (b) Works, vol. 1. p. 79.

Jehu the prophet denounces the destruction of Baasha, Kg1 16:1-7. Zimri conspires against him, and slays him and his family, and reigns seven days, Kg1 16:8-15. The people make Omri king, and besiege Zimri in Tirzah; who, finding no way to escape, sets fire to his palace, and consumes himself in it, Kg1 16:16-20. The people are divided, half following Tibni, and half Omri; the latter faction overcomes the former, Tibni is slain, and Omri reigns alone, Kg1 16:21-23. He founds Samaria, Kg1 16:24. His bad character and death, Kg1 16:25-28. Ahab reigns in his stead; marries Jezebel, restores idolatry, and exceeds his predecessors in wickedness, Kg1 16:29-33. Hiel the Beth-elite rebuilds Jericho, Kg1 16:34.

JEHU'S PROPHECY AGAINST BAASHA. (Kg1 16:1-8) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu--This is the only incident recorded in the life of this prophet. His father was also a prophet (Ch2 16:7).

Kg1 16:7 adds a supplementary remark concerning the words of Jehu (Kg1 16:2.), not to preclude an excuse that might be made, in which case וגם would have to be taken in the sense of nevertheless, or notwithstanding (Ewald, 354, a.), but to guard against a misinterpretation by adding a new feature, or rather to preclude an erroneous inference that might be drawn from the words, "I (Jehovah) have made thee prince" (Kg1 16:2), as through Baasha had exterminated Nadab and his house by divine command (Thenius). וגם simply means "and also," and is not to be connected specially with יהוּא בּיד, but to be taken as belonging to the whole sentence: "also the word of Jehovah had come to Baasha through Jehu, ... not only because of the evil, etc., but also (ועל...ועל) because he had slain him (Jeroboam)." With regard to this last reason, we must call to mind the remark made at Kg1 11:39, viz., that the prediction of the prophet to Baasha gave him no right to put himself forward arbitrarily as the fulfiller of the prophecy. The very fact that Baasha continued Jeroboam's sin and caused the illegal worship to be perpetuated, showed clearly enough that in exterminating the family of Jeroboam he did not act under divine direction, but simply pursued his own selfish ends.