Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary1 Kings 16

Ruin of Baasha's Family ForetoldThis section tells how God warned Baasha, king of Israel, that his family would be destroyed. Baasha seemed strong and clever, but because he worshipped idols, his family was doomed. God sent a prophet to warn him ahead of time, showing that God does not want to destroy sinners without giving them a chance to repent. Even though Baasha had removed Jeroboam’s family, he followed the same sinful ways. Now, the same punishment would come on his house. Although Baasha died peacefully, his descendants would suffer for his sins. This shows that God’s justice may come after a person’s life, especially when they do not repent.v. 1: God sent a warning to Baasha through the prophet Jehu, the son of Hanani. Jehu was a young and active prophet, while his father Hanani was sent to Asa, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 16:7 ). Jehu continued to serve as a prophet for a long time (2 Chronicles 19:2; 2 Chronicles 20:34 ). The message he brought was similar to what Ahijah had spoken against Jeroboam.

v. 2: Jehu reminded Baasha that God had raised him up from nothing and made him king. God said, I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel . Even though Baasha became king through violence, God allowed it for His own plans, but this did not excuse Baasha’s ambition or wickedness. God still called Israel “my people” even when they were sinful, because many people in Israel still kept God’s covenant.

v. 3: God charged Baasha with serious sins. First, he made Israel sin by leading them away from God to worship idols, just like Jeroboam did (1 Kings 16:2; 1 Kings 16:7 ). Second, he angered God with the work of his hands, serving and making images—idols that people made themselves. Third, he destroyed Jeroboam’s family not to serve God, but out of his own selfish ambition (1 Kings 16:7 ). God wants people to do His work for the right reasons. If we do right things with wrong motives, we can still be guilty before God.

v. 4: God told Baasha that his family would be destroyed just like Jeroboam’s family (1 Kings 16:3-4 ). Anyone from Baasha’s family who died in the city would be eaten by dogs, and those who died in the fields would be eaten by birds. People who sin like others should expect the same punishments. This is similar to what happened to the house of Jehu (Hosea 1:4 ).

v. 6: God did not punish Baasha himself while he was alive. He died peacefully and was buried in his city (1 Kings 16:6 ). The curse was for his children, not for him. As it says in Job, God lays up his iniquity for his children (Job 21:19 ). Even if punishment does not come during someone’s life, God’s judgment will happen later, sometimes to their descendants. This reminds us that there is a final judgment after death.

v. 9–10: The prophecy was fulfilled when Baasha’s son Elah became king. Like Jeroboam’s son Nadab, Elah only ruled for two years before he was killed by Zimri, one of his own soldiers. Unlike Nadab, who died in battle, Elah was killed while getting drunk in his servant’s house (1 Kings 16:9-10 ). This is a warning to those who drink to excess. Death can come suddenly, especially when someone is drunk and unprepared. As Jesus warned, that day comes upon them unawares (Luke 21:34 ).

v. 11: Zimri killed not only Elah but also all of Baasha’s family, including his friends and relatives . Zimri was crueler than Baasha, leaving no one alive who might want to get revenge. But Zimri’s own actions would soon be remembered as a warning: Had Zimri peace who slew his master? (2 Kings 9:31 ).

v. 12–13: By destroying Baasha’s family, God’s word was fulfilled (1 Kings 16:12 ). The sins of Baasha and Elah, especially their idolatry, brought this judgment. The Bible calls their idols “vanities” because they are useless and cannot help. As it is written, they provoked God by their vanities (1 Kings 16:13 ). People who trust in idols trust in things that cannot save them.

Zimri's Death; Reign of OmriThis section shows the chaos in Israel after Baasha’s family fell. There were many kings in a short time, just as Solomon said: for the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof (Proverbs 28:2 ). While Judah was stable under Asa, Israel was full of trouble. Zimri, Tibni, and Omri all fought to be king. Their pride and ambition caused more suffering for the people. In the end, Omri became king and brought some stability, but he also led Israel into greater sin.v. 15: Zimri became king but only ruled for seven days (1 Kings 16:15 ). The army was camped at Gibbethon, and when they heard that Zimri had killed King Elah and made himself king, they chose Omri as their leader right there in the camp (1 Kings 16:16 ). The soldiers wanted to punish Zimri for his treason and did not want to accept him as king.

v. 17: The army stopped fighting the Philistines at Gibbethon and marched to Tirzah to attack Zimri. Tirzah was a beautiful city but not very strong. Omri quickly took control of it .

v. 18: Zimri saw he had lost and could not defend the palace. Instead of surrendering, he set the palace on fire and died in the flames . He did not want Omri to have the palace and was afraid of being treated badly if he was captured. This shows how sin can lead people to destroy themselves.

v. 19: Zimri died because of his sins. He followed the evil ways of Jeroboam and led Israel into idolatry (1 Kings 16:19 ). His short reign was marked by wickedness, and he was judged quickly by God.

v. 21: After Zimri’s death, there was still no peace. Half the people followed Tibni, and half followed Omri (1 Kings 16:21 ). The struggle for power lasted several years, and many people probably died in the fighting. Omri was first chosen as king in the twenty-seventh year of Asa, but he did not rule alone until Tibni died in the thirty-first year of Asa (1 Kings 16:22 ).

v. 24: When Omri finally became the only king, he bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built the city of Samaria . Samaria became the new capital of Israel. The kings of Israel changed their capital cities several times, but the kings of Judah stayed in Jerusalem. This shows that those who stay close to God have stability, but those who turn away from Him are always changing.

v. 25: Omri became famous for building Samaria, but he also became infamous for his wickedness. He did even more evil than the kings before him (1 Kings 16:25 ). He made new laws that encouraged sin and forced the people to follow them. The prophet Micah later spoke against the statutes of Omri that led Israel to ruin (Micah 6:16 ).

v. 27–28: Omri was known for his strength and might, but he was not a godly king (1 Kings 16:27 ). He died in his bed and left his kingdom to his children. Although he was powerful, his descendants would face God’s judgment for his and their sins.

Ahab's ReignThis section introduces King Ahab, the king of Israel who became famous for his extreme wickedness. More is written about Ahab than any other king of Israel. His reign lasted twenty-two years, which was long enough for him to cause much trouble and lead Israel further away from God. The opening verses show that Ahab was worse than all the kings before him, and his choices brought great evil to the nation.v. 29: Ahab became king of Israel in the thirty-eighth year of Asa, king of Judah. He ruled Israel for twenty-two years from Samaria . His long reign gave him much time to influence Israel, but he used his power for evil.

v. 30: Ahab did more evil in the sight of the Lord

v. 31: Ahab considered it a small thing to follow the sins of Jeroboam. He went even further by marrying Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians. Jezebel was a strong supporter of idol worship and was known for her evil ways, including witchcraft and cruelty (2 Kings 9:22 ). By marrying her, Ahab brought even more evil into Israel. In the New Testament, the name “Jezebel” is used for a woman who leads others into sin (Revelation 2:20 ). Jezebel’s influence led Israel into greater idolatry and wickedness.

v. 32: Ahab began to worship Baal, the god of the Sidonians. He built a temple for Baal in Samaria, the capital city, so he could honor this false god instead of the true God of Israel. He even built an altar for sacrifices to Baal. This showed his total rejection of the Lord

v. 33: Ahab made a grove, a place used for Baal worship, probably filled with trees or wooden idols. This grove was meant to hide the immoral activities that happened during Baal’s ceremonies. The Bible says, He did more to provoke the Lord

v. 34: During Ahab’s reign, a man named Hiel from Bethel rebuilt the city of Jericho. This was a direct challenge to God’s curse, given by Joshua, that anyone who rebuilt Jericho would lose his children (Joshua 6:26 ). Hiel started the work and lost his oldest son, but he kept going and lost all his sons, ending with his youngest when the city was finished (1 Kings 16:34 ). This happened just as God had said. It is a warning that anyone who ignores God’s word will suffer the consequences. No one can oppose God and prosper.