Albert Barnes Commentary 1 Kings 16
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Kings 16
Albert Barnes Commentary
1 Kings 16
"And the word of Jehovah came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying," — 1 Kings 16:1 (ASV)
Hanani, the father of Jehu, was a seer for Asa, king of Judah (2 Chronicles 16:7–10). His son Jehu, who serves in the same office here in the kingdom of Israel, later appears as an inhabitant of Jerusalem, where he prophesied under Jehoshaphat, whom he rebuked on one occasion. He must have lived to a great age, for he outlived Jehoshaphat and wrote the account of his life (as noted in the marginal references).
"Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?" — 1 Kings 16:5 (ASV)
The “might” of Baasha is sufficiently indicated by the successes that drove Asa to call Ben-hadad to his aid (1 Kings 15:17–21).
"And moreover by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of Jehovah against Baasha, and against his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he smote him." — 1 Kings 16:7 (ASV)
The natural position of this verse would be after 1 Kings 16:4 and before 1 Kings 16:5. It may, however, be regarded as an afterthought added by the writer, somewhat irregularly. Its special purpose is to point out that the sentence on Baasha was intended to punish not only his calf-worship but emphatically his murder of Jeroboam and his family.
Although the destruction of Jeroboam’s house had been foretold, and Baasha may be rightly regarded as God’s instrument to punish Jeroboam’s sins, his guilt was just as great as if no prophecy had been uttered. This is because he received no command to execute God’s wrath on the offender and was motivated solely by ambition and self-interest. Even Jehu’s commission in 2 Kings 9:5–10 was not held to justify his murder of Jehoram and Jezebel altogether.
"In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, [and reigned] two years." — 1 Kings 16:8 (ASV)
Two years—that is, more than one year, or, at any rate, some portion of two distinct years (compare 1 Kings 16:10).
"And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah:" — 1 Kings 16:9 (ASV)
The conspiracy of Zimri—Elah’s “servant” (that is, his “subject”)—was favored by his position, which probably gave him military authority in the city. It was also aided by the absence of a large portion of the people and their officers at Gibbethon, who might have stopped him (1 Kings 16:15), and by the despicable character of Elah. Instead of going to war, Elah continually reminded people of his low origin through conduct unworthy of a king.
Steward. The office was evidently one of considerable importance. In Solomon’s court, it conferred the rank of prince (שׂר śar). In Persia, the “steward of the household” sometimes acted as a type of regent during the king’s absence.
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