Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 16

Verses 1-34

Here we have the account of how Jehu was called on to exercise judgment against Baasha. This being accomplished, Elah succeeded Baasha on the throne of Israel. He was so corrupt as to be found "drinking himself drunk," and was slain by Zimri, who thus came to the throne. He carried out the judgment of God on the house of Baasha, and after four years of civil war died by his own hand.

All this is indeed appalling. The throne of the chosen people was occupied by men of depraved character who came into power by conspiracy and murder. All the while the wheels of the divine justice ground surely forward, so that murderer was slain by murderer.

After the death of Zimri, there was division in Israel, half the people following Tibni and half gathering to Omri. The victory was with Omri, who for six years continued in courses of evil, and was succeeded by Ahab. The record declares of him, "He was evil above all that were before him." He united Jezebel with himself on the actual throne of power. This alliance was contradictory to the law of God, and she became a veritable scourge to the people. Under their joint reign Israel sank almost to the level of surrounding nations. Its testimony was practically destroyed. There was hardly a ray of light, for although, as subsequent declarations reveal, a remnant still existed loyal to God, its testimony was overwhelmed by abounding wickedness.