1 Kings 16:8

_IN THE TWENTY AND SIXTH YEAR OF ASA KING OF JUDAH BEGAN ELAH THE SON OF BAASHA TO REIGN OVER ISRAEL IN TIRZAH, TWO YEARS._ Began Elah the son of Baasha to reign - (cf. 1 Kings 15:33.) From this it will appear that Baasba died in the 23rd year of his reign (see the notes at 1 Kings 15:2); and Elah who was a prince of dissolute habits, reigned not fully two years....

1-14 This chapter relates wholly to the kingdom of Israel, and the revolutions of that kingdom. God calls Israel his people still, though wretchedly corrupted. Jehu foretells the same destruction to come upon Baasha's family, which that king had been employed to bring upon the family of Jeroboam. Those who resemble others in their sins, may expect to resemble them in the plagues they suffer, especially those who seem zealous against such sins in others as they allow in themselves. Baasha himself dies in peace, and is buried with honour. Herein plainly appears that there are punishments after death, which are most to be dreaded. Let Elah be a warning to drunkards, who know not but death may surprise them. Death easily comes upon men when they are drunk. Besides the diseases which men bring themselves into by drinking, when in that state, men are easily overcome by an enemy, and liable to...

TWO YEARS - i. e., More than one year, or, at any rate, some portion of two distinct years (compare 1 Kings 16:10)....

EXPOSITION This division of chapters, immediately after the commencement of the narrative of the reign of Baasha, is somewhat unfortunate, inasmuch as it obscures the close connexion between the sin of Baasha and the prophecy which it provoked. The idea the historian would convey is clearly this—the analogy between the dynasty of Jeroboam and that which supplanted it, (1) in their sin, (2) in the denunciation of each by a prophet, and (3) in the punishments which followed their sins an analogy so close that the prophet Jehu almost employs the _ipsissima verba _of his predecessor, Ahijah. 1 KINGS 16:1 THEN THE WORD OF THE LORD CAME TO JEHU, THE SON OF HANANI [Hanani is mentioned in...

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....

4. KINGS OF ISRAEL Chapter S 15:25-16 _ 1. Nadab, King of Israel (1 Kings 15:25)_ 2. Baasha, King of Israel (1 Kings 15:34; 1 Kings 16:1) 3. Elah, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:8) 4. Zimri, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:15) 5. Divisions (1 Kings 16:21) 6. Omri, King of Israel (1 Kings 16:23) 7. Ahab ...

1 KINGS 15:33 TO 1 KINGS 16:34. BAASHA'S DYNASTY. RISE OF THE HOUSE OF OMRI. Nothing is told us of Baasha except the usual annalistic details, and, that a prophet named Jehu foretold the destruction of his whole house. His son Elah was at war with the Philistines (1 Kings 16:15), but remained at Tirzah (p. 30), which at this time was the chief residence of the kings of Israel. Zimri slew him and reigned but seven days, and was then attacked by the army under Omri, and burned himself in his house. For four years, (_cf._ 1 Kings 16:15 with 1 Kin

Elah king of Israel (Not in Chronicles) 8. _In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began_ These words, like most other chronological dates, are omitted by the LXX. _in Tirzah, two years_ Here as in 1 Kings 15:33 the R.V. inserts in italics after -Tirzah" the words _and reigned_, which makes the sense clearer....

B. THE BAASHA DYNASTY 15:32-16:14 The Baasha dynasty receives the most cursory treatment from the author of Kings. Political accomplishments of Baasha are almost totally ignored, as the author has elected to focus on the prophetic curse which ultimately brought destruction to this dynasty. The material may be conveniently discussed under the headings (1) the reign of Baasha and the prophecy of Jehu (1 Kings 15:32 to 1 Kings 16:7); and (2) the reign of Elah and his assassination by Zimri (1 Kings 16:8-14). _1. THE REIGN OF BAASHA AND THE PROPHECY OF JEHU_ (1 Kings 15:32 to...

THE REIGNS OF ELAH, ZIMRI, AND OMRI 1. Jehu the son of Hanani] Hanani is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 16:7. Jehu's denunciation of Baasha is similar to Ahijah's denunciation of Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:7)....