Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 16

Verse 1

Jehu the son of Hanani. Compare 2 Chronicles 16:7-10 ; 2 Chronicles 19:2 .

Verse 2

prince: or captain = one raised up. Hebrew. nagid.

Verse 3

like. Compare 1 Kings 15:29 ; 1 Kings 14:11 .

Verse 6

slept, &c. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 .

Verse 9

drinking himself drunk. Figure of speech Polyptoton ( App-6 ) for emphasis.

Verse 11

not one, &c. = not one male.

kinsfolks = kinsmen-redeemers.

Verse 12

against. Some codices read "unto". Others read "concerning".

Verse 13

vanities = idols. Compare 1 Kings 16:26 .

Verse 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 .

Verse 20

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

Verse 22

Omri. Note the Introversion of these names in this verse.

Verse 23

thirty and first year. He reigned twelve years (833-821), and yet in 1 Kings 16:29 Ahab began in the thirty-eighth year of Asa. Omri began to reign de jure when he slew Zimri, in the twentyseventh year of Asa; but only de facto on the death of Tibni the usurper.

six years. Beginning in Asa's thirty-first and ending in Asa's thirty-eighth (1 Kings 16:29 ).

Verse 24

owner = lord.

Samaria . This is the origin of the city.

Verse 26

made Israel to sin. See note on 1 Kings 14:16 .

Verse 27

which. Some codices, with four early printed editions, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and all that".

Verse 29

twenty and two years. For spiritual significance, see note on 1 Kings 14:20 , and App-10 .

Verse 30

above all. The reign of Ahab opens a new era in Israel's history.

Verse 31

Jezebel , daughter of a regicide and fratricide (Josephus c. Apion 1, 18, Antiquities viii. 3, 1), priest of the Phoenician goddess Astarte.

Verse 33

grove. See note on Exodus 34:13 , and App-42 .

Verse 34

build = to fortify and complete. It had been partially restored (Judges 3:13 . 2 Samuel 10:5 ), but now became a fortified city of Israel.

in = at the cost of.

which He spake . Compare Joshua 6:26 .