Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 16

Introduction

Overview

1 Kings 16:1, Jehu’s prophecy against Baasha; 1 Kings 16:5, Elah succeeds him; 1 Kings 16:8, Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him; 1 Kings 16:11, Zimri executes Jehu’s prophecy; 1 Kings 16:15, Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself; 1 Kings 16:21, The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni; 1 Kings 16:23, Omri builds Samaria; 1 Kings 16:25, His wicked reign; 1 Kings 16:27, Ahab succeeds him; 1 Kings 16:29, Ahab’s most wicked reign; 1 Kings 16:34, Joshua’s curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho.

Verse 1

am 3073, bc 931

Jehu: 1 Kings 16:7, 2 Chronicles 19:2, 2 Chronicles 20:34

Hanani: 1 Kings 15:33, 2 Chronicles 16:7-10

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:12 - according Jeremiah 32:18 - recompensest

Verse 2

I exalted thee: 1 Kings 14:7, 1 Samuel 2:8, 1 Samuel 2:27, 1 Samuel 2:28, 1 Samuel 15:17-19, 2 Samuel 12:7-11, Psalms 113:7, Psalms 113:8, Luke 1:52

thou hast walked: 1 Kings 13:33, 1 Kings 13:34, 1 Kings 15:34

hast made my people: 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:26, Exodus 32:21, 1 Samuel 2:24, 1 Samuel 26:19, Matthew 5:19

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:7 - the hand 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 2 Kings 9:6 - over the people

Verse 3

will make thy house: 1 Kings 16:11, 1 Kings 16:12, 1 Kings 14:10, 1 Kings 15:29, 1 Kings 15:30, 1 Kings 21:21-24, Isaiah 66:24, Jeremiah 22:19

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:59 - General 1 Kings 11:26 - Jeroboam 1 Kings 21:22 - make thine 2 Kings 9:9 - and like the house Job 27:15 - Those

Verse 4

shall the dogs eat: 1 Kings 14:11

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 28:59 - General 1 Kings 21:24 - that dieth Job 27:15 - Those Isaiah 5:25 - torn Jeremiah 34:20 - and their

Verse 5

am 3051-3074, bc 953-930

the rest: 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 15:31, 2 Chronicles 16:1-6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:14 - they not written 1 Kings 16:20 - the rest 1 Kings 16:27 - the rest 1 Kings 22:39 - the rest

Verse 6

am 3074, bc 930

Baasha: 1 Kings 14:20, 1 Kings 15:25

Tirzah: 1 Kings 14:17, 1 Kings 15:21

Elah: 1 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 16:13, 1 Kings 16:14

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:43 - slept 1 Kings 16:28 - So Omri slept Psalms 49:19 - to the generation

Verse 7

the hand: 1 Kings 16:1, 1 Kings 16:2

and against his house: Exodus 20:5

in provoking: 1 Kings 16:13

with the work: Psalms 115:4, Isaiah 2:8, Isaiah 44:9-20

because he killed him: This the Vulgate understands of Jehu the prophet; some think Baasha is intended; others Nadab the son of Jeroboam; and others Jeroboam, whom Baasha destroyed in his posterity by cruelly murdering them all. 1 Kings 14:14, 1 Kings 15:27-29, 2 Kings 10:30, 2 Kings 10:31, Isaiah 10:6, Isaiah 10:7, Hosea 1:4, Acts 2:23, Acts 4:27, Acts 4:28

Reciprocal: Genesis 4:15 - Therefore 1 Kings 15:26 - he did evil 1 Kings 16:12 - by Jehu the prophet 1 Kings 16:19 - in doing 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 1 Kings 20:16 - Benhadad 1 Kings 22:53 - provoked 2 Kings 9:14 - conspired 2 Chronicles 19:2 - And Jehu 2 Chronicles 20:34 - Jehu the son of Hanani Jeremiah 37:2 - the prophet

Verse 8

am 3075, bc 929

In the twenty: Baasha began to reign in the third year of Asa, and reigned 24 years; yet he died and was succeeded by Elah in the 26th year of Asa; and, in like manner, Elah, who began to reign in the 26th year of Asa, and was killed in the 27th, is said to have reigned two years. Thus it is evident that a part of a year is calculated as a whole year. In the Chinese annals, the whole year in which a king dies is ascribed to his reign, the years of the succeeding king being reckoned only from the beginning of the following year. 1 Kings 16:8

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:17 - Tirzah 1 Kings 15:32 - there was war 1 Kings 15:33 - twenty and four years 1 Kings 16:6 - Elah 1 Kings 16:15 - seven 1 Kings 16:21 - divided 1 Kings 16:23 - twelve years 2 Kings 15:14 - Tirzah 2 Kings 15:23 - and reigned two years 2 Kings 21:19 - two years Proverbs 28:2 - the transgression

Verse 9

his servant: 2 Kings 9:31

conspired: 1 Kings 15:27, 2 Kings 9:14, 2 Kings 12:20, 2 Kings 15:10, 2 Kings 15:25, 2 Kings 15:30

drinking: 1 Kings 20:16, 1 Samuel 25:36-38, 2 Samuel 13:28, 2 Samuel 13:29, Proverbs 23:29-35, Jeremiah 51:57, Daniel 5:1-4, Daniel 5:30, Nahum 1:10, Habakkuk 2:15, Habakkuk 2:16, Matthew 24:49-51, Luke 21:34

steward of: Heb. which was over, Genesis 15:2, Genesis 24:2, Genesis 24:10, Genesis 39:4, Genesis 39:9

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 4:5 - lay on a bed 1 Kings 14:17 - Tirzah 1 Kings 15:32 - there was war 1 Kings 20:12 - drinking 2 Kings 15:14 - Tirzah 2 Kings 21:23 - General 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri Esther 2:21 - and sought Proverbs 23:34 - thou Hosea 7:7 - devoured Luke 12:20 - God

Verse 10

Zimri: 2 Kings 9:31

reigned: 1 Kings 16:15

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:23 - the thirty 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 2 Kings 15:10 - slew him 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri Jeremiah 41:7 - slew Luke 12:20 - God

Verse 11

he slew: 1 Kings 15:29, Judges 1:7

he left him: 1 Kings 14:10, 1 Samuel 25:22, 1 Samuel 25:34

neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends: or, both his kinsmen and his friends

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:3 - will make thy house 1 Kings 21:22 - make thine 2 Kings 9:9 - and like the house 2 Kings 10:11 - he left

Verse 12

according: 1 Kings 16:1-4

by Jehu the prophet: Heb. by the hand of Jehu the prophet, 1 Kings 16:1, 1 Kings 16:7, 1 Kings 14:18, 2 Kings 14:25, 2 Chronicles 10:15, Proverbs 26:6

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:3 - will make thy house 1 Kings 17:16 - by Elijah 2 Kings 9:9 - and like the house 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri 2 Chronicles 19:2 - And Jehu

Verse 13

in provoking: 1 Kings 15:30

vanities: Deuteronomy 32:21, 1 Samuel 12:21, 2 Kings 17:15, Isaiah 41:29, Jeremiah 10:3-5, Jeremiah 10:8, Jeremiah 10:15, Jonah 2:8, Romans 1:21-23, 1 Corinthians 8:4, 1 Corinthians 10:19, 1 Corinthians 10:20

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:6 - Elah 1 Kings 16:7 - in provoking 1 Kings 16:19 - in doing 1 Kings 16:26 - their vanities Acts 14:15 - from

Verse 14

they not written: 1 Kings 16:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:19 - book 1 Kings 15:31 - are they not written 1 Kings 16:6 - Elah 1 Kings 16:20 - the rest 1 Kings 16:27 - the rest

Verse 15

seven: 1 Kings 16:8, 2 Kings 9:31, Job 20:5, Psalms 37:35

And the people were encamped: 1 Kings 15:27, Joshua 19:44, Joshua 21:23

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:17 - Tirzah 1 Kings 15:21 - Tirzah 1 Kings 16:10 - reigned 1 Kings 16:23 - the thirty 2 Kings 15:13 - a full month 2 Kings 15:14 - Tirzah 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri

Verse 16

Omri: 1 Kings 16:30, 2 Kings 8:26, 2 Chronicles 22:2, Micah 6:16

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 9:14 - conspired 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri

Verse 17

besieged Tirzah: Judges 9:45, Judges 9:50, Judges 9:56, Judges 9:57, 2 Kings 6:24, 2 Kings 6:25, 2 Kings 18:9-12, 2 Kings 25:1-4, Luke 19:43, Luke 19:44

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 15:27 - Gibbethon 2 Kings 15:14 - Tirzah

Verse 18

and burnt the king's house: Judges 9:54, 1 Samuel 31:4, 1 Samuel 31:5, 2 Samuel 17:23, Job 2:9, Job 2:10, Matthew 27:5

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 8:15 - so that he died 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri 1 Chronicles 10:4 - Saul took Hosea 7:7 - devoured Acts 16:27 - he drew

Verse 19

in doing: 1 Kings 16:7, 1 Kings 16:13, 1 Kings 15:30, Psalms 9:16, Psalms 58:9-11

in his: 1 Kings 12:28, 1 Kings 14:16, 1 Kings 15:26, 1 Kings 15:34

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:26 - he walked 2 Kings 3:2 - General 2 Kings 21:11 - made Judah Jeremiah 32:35 - to cause

Verse 20

the rest: 1 Kings 16:5, 1 Kings 16:14, 1 Kings 16:27, 1 Kings 14:19, 1 Kings 15:31, 1 Kings 22:39

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 2:6 - Zimri

Verse 21

divided: 1 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 16:29, 1 Kings 15:25, 1 Kings 15:28, Proverbs 28:2, Isaiah 9:18-21, Isaiah 19:2, Matthew 12:25, 1 Corinthians 1:12, 1 Corinthians 1:13, Ephesians 4:3-5

Verse 22

Reciprocal: Hosea 7:7 - devoured

Verse 23

am 3079-3086, bc 925-918

the thirty: As it is stated in 1 Kings 16:10, and 1 Kings 16:15, that Zimri began to reign in the 27th year of Asa; and as he reigned only seven days, and Omri immediately succeeded him, this could not be the 31st, but in the 27th year of Asa. Jarchi, from Sedar Olam, reconciles this, by stating that Tibni and Omri began to reign jointly in the 27th year of Asa; and that Tibni dying about five years afterwards, Omri began to reign alone in the 31st year of Asa. 2 Chronicles 22:2

twelve years: 1 Kings 16:8, 1 Kings 16:29

Reciprocal: Joshua 12:24 - Tirzah 1 Kings 14:17 - Tirzah

Verse 24

the name of the city: 1 Kings 13:32, 1 Kings 18:2, 1 Kings 20:1, 1 Kings 22:37, 2 Kings 17:1, 2 Kings 17:6, 2 Kings 17:24, John 4:4, John 4:5, Acts 8:5-8

Samaria: Heb. Shomeron, Samaria was situated on a agreeable and fertile hill in the tribe of Ephraim, twelve miles from Dothaim and four from Atharoth, according to Eusebius, and one day's journey from Jerusalem, according to Josephus.

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 12:25 - built 1 Kings 16:29 - Samaria 2 Chronicles 25:13 - Samaria Isaiah 7:9 - the head Jeremiah 41:5 - Samaria Amos 4:1 - the mountain Amos 6:1 - and trust Amos 8:14 - sin

Verse 25

did worse: 1 Kings 16:30, 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:33, 1 Kings 14:9, Micah 6:16

Reciprocal: Genesis 48:17 - displeased him 1 Kings 15:26 - he did evil 2 Chronicles 21:6 - in the way 2 Chronicles 21:13 - in the way

Verse 26

he walked: 1 Kings 16:2, 1 Kings 16:7, 1 Kings 16:19, 1 Kings 12:26-33, 1 Kings 13:33, 1 Kings 13:34

their vanities: 1 Kings 16:13, Psalms 31:6, Jeremiah 8:19, Jeremiah 10:3, Jeremiah 10:8, Jeremiah 14:22, Jeremiah 16:19, Jeremiah 18:15, Acts 14:15, Romans 1:21-23

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 32:21 - with their vanities 1 Kings 15:26 - in his sin 1 Kings 21:22 - made Israel to sin 2 Kings 13:6 - walked

Verse 27

the rest: 1 Kings 16:5, 1 Kings 16:14, 1 Kings 16:20, 1 Kings 15:31

Reciprocal: 1 Samuel 31:4 - Saul 1 Kings 14:19 - book 1 Kings 22:39 - the rest

Verse 28

So Omri slept: 1 Kings 16:6

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 10:1 - in Samaria 2 Chronicles 22:2 - Athaliah

Verse 29

am 3086-3107, bc 918-897

Samaria: 1 Kings 16:24

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 16:21 - divided 1 Kings 16:23 - twelve years 2 Chronicles 25:13 - Samaria Jeremiah 41:5 - Samaria Hosea 13:1 - offended

Verse 30

above: 1 Kings 16:25, 1 Kings 16:31, 1 Kings 16:33, 1 Kings 14:9, 1 Kings 21:25, 2 Kings 3:2

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 14:22 - all 1 Kings 15:26 - he did evil 1 Kings 16:16 - Omri 1 Kings 21:20 - to work 1 Kings 22:52 - he did evil 2 Kings 9:22 - the whoredoms 2 Chronicles 21:13 - in the way Micah 6:16 - the works

Verse 31

as if it had been a light thing: Heb. was it a light thing, Genesis 30:15, Numbers 16:9, Isaiah 7:13, Ezekiel 8:17, Ezekiel 16:20, Ezekiel 16:47, Ezekiel 34:18

took to wife: Genesis 6:2, Deuteronomy 7:3, Deuteronomy 7:4, Joshua 23:12, Joshua 23:13, Nehemiah 13:23-29

Jezebel: 1 Kings 18:4, 1 Kings 18:19, 1 Kings 19:1, 1 Kings 19:2, 1 Kings 21:5-14, 1 Kings 21:25, 2 Kings 9:30-37, Revelation 2:20

the Zidonians: 1 Kings 11:1, Judges 10:12, Judges 18:7

and went: 1 Kings 11:4-8

served Baal: 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 21:26, Judges 2:11, Judges 3:7, Judges 10:6, 2 Kings 10:18, 2 Kings 17:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:2 - surely 1 Kings 14:9 - hast done 1 Kings 16:25 - did worse 1 Kings 16:30 - above 1 Kings 22:53 - he served Baal 2 Kings 3:2 - Baal 2 Kings 3:3 - which made 2 Kings 3:18 - a light 2 Kings 9:34 - she is a king's 2 Kings 16:3 - he walked 2 Kings 17:8 - walked 2 Kings 21:3 - he reared 2 Kings 23:4 - Baal 2 Chronicles 17:4 - not after 2 Chronicles 18:1 - joined affinity 2 Chronicles 28:2 - For he walked Psalms 1:1 - walketh Proverbs 14:1 - the foolish Ezekiel 23:5 - Aholah Hosea 2:13 - the days Hosea 8:4 - of Hosea 8:14 - and buildeth Hosea 9:10 - separated Hosea 11:2 - they sacrificed Micah 1:13 - she Romans 11:4 - Baal

Verse 32

the house of Baal: 2 Kings 10:21, 2 Kings 10:26, 2 Kings 10:27

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 3:2 - Baal 2 Kings 10:18 - Ahab served Baal Ezekiel 23:5 - Aholah Hosea 2:13 - the days Hosea 11:2 - they sacrificed

Verse 33

made a grove: Exodus 34:13, 2 Kings 13:6, 2 Kings 17:16, 2 Kings 21:3, Jeremiah 17:1, Jeremiah 17:2

did more to provoke: 1 Kings 16:30, 1 Kings 21:19, 1 Kings 21:25, 1 Kings 22:6, 1 Kings 22:8

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 16:21 - General Judges 3:7 - the groves 1 Kings 16:25 - did worse 1 Kings 18:19 - prophets of the groves 2 Kings 3:2 - but not 2 Kings 23:6 - the grove 2 Kings 23:19 - the kings

Verse 34

Joshua 6:26, Joshua 23:14, Joshua 23:15, Zechariah 1:5, Matthew 24:35

Reciprocal: Judges 9:57 - upon them 2 Samuel 10:5 - Jericho 2 Kings 2:4 - Jericho 2 Kings 2:19 - the water 1 Chronicles 19:5 - at Jericho Ezra 2:34 - Jericho Habakkuk 2:12 - him Luke 19:1 - Jericho