Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Kings 16

Jehu, like his father Hanani whom Asa had imprisoned (2 Chronicles 16:10), was a prophet. Jehu, also like his father, bravely delivered God's message everywhere, even if it meant facing the king.

The Lord accused Baasha of murder (1 Kings 16:7) and of following Jeroboam's idol worship. Since he continued Jeroboam's evil ways, Baasha and his family would face the same fate (see 1 Kings 14:11).

Jehu the prophet worked in both Israel and Judah. He wrote about events during Jehoshaphat's reign, which were included in The Book of the History of the Kings of Israel (see 2 Chronicles 20:34).

Elah got drunk in Tirzah while his army fought for their lives in the Philistine-controlled city of Gibbethon (1 Kings 16:15). This showed his poor character. He was even less suitable to rule than his father, Baasha (see 1 Kings 16:13).

Zimri quickly and ruthlessly executed all of Baasha's family, relatives, and friends. Although Zimri carried out the Lord's judgment on Baasha's dynasty, he likely acted out of self-interest. He wanted to prevent them from seeking revenge or using their power to stage their own takeover.

Even though Zimri led half of the royal chariots (1 Kings 16:9), he stayed in Tirzah instead of joining the army attacking Gibbethon. The armed forces did not respect him; they viewed his actions as treason and chose their commander, Omri, as the new king of Israel.

burned it down upon himself: Zimri's cowardice shows when he chooses to kill himself rather than face capture.

Tibni is only mentioned in this passage, and Ginath is not known. In the Greek Old Testament, Tibni's brother Joram helped him in his unsuccessful attempt to gain power. Both Tibni and Joram died in the conflict with Omri.

Omri … reigned twelve years: His son Ahab became king in the seventh year of Omri's reign (see 1 Kings 16:29). This suggests that Omri's twelve-year rule likely included about four years when he and Ahab ruled together.

Omri founded the city of Samaria and moved the capital there from Tirzah. Samaria remained Israel's capital until it fell in 722 BC. This location offered Israel a central and defensible hill in the northern kingdom, allowing control over the trade routes below. Omri enjoyed his new capital for only six years before he died (1 Kings 16:28).

evil: When Israel moved from the first family line of rulers to the second (1 Kings 15:33–34), the change of rulers did not improve the nation’s spiritual condition.

the might he exercised: Although the Old Testament mentions Omri briefly, people in nearby lands knew him well. The Moabite Stone (Mesha Stela) says Omri conquered land north of the Arnon River in Moab. Assyrian kings showed his importance by calling Israel the "House of Omri." If Omri arranged his son Ahab's marriage to Jezebel (daughter of Ethbaal, king of Tyre and Sidon, 1 Kings 16:31), as was common in the ancient Near East, he likely gained more political and trade recognition.

Ahab is considered the worst king of Israel in terms of spirituality. People later blamed his bad actions on his wife Jezebel's influence (1 Kings 21:25). Ahab and Jezebel promoted Canaanite religious practices, which led Israel away from God. Combined with Jeroboam's false worship, these actions eventually brought disaster to Israel.

• Despite Joshua's curse on Jericho (Joshua 6:26–27), people sometimes lived there before Hiel rebuilt it (see Judges 3:13; 2 Samuel 10:5; 1 Chronicles 19:5), as shown by archaeological digs. Hiel's actions show Israel's spiritual decline.

• he laid its foundation … Segub: The Targum (an Aramaic translation with explanations for Jews who no longer knew Hebrew after the exile in Babylon) says that Hiel sacrificed his sons as foundation offerings, following pagan practices. Others believe his sons died from disease or accident. The Hebrew wording may also be a merism (a figure of speech using two extremes to mean the whole), which would suggest that all of Hiel’s sons died.