1 Reis 16

Bob Utley · Citado em PreceptAustin

1 Reis 16

Utley - The long reign of Asa (i.e., 41 years, 1 Kgs. 15:10; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 412-414) provides a way to document the turmoil in Israel. in the 20th year of Jeroboam, Asa began to reign (1 Kgs. 15:9) in the 2nd year of Asa, Nadab begin to reign in Israel (1 Kgs. 15:25) in the 3rd year of Asa, Baasha began to reign (1 Kgs. 15:33) in the 26th year of Asa, Elah began to reign (1 Kgs. 16:8) in the 27th year of Asa, Zimri began to reign (1 Kgs. 16:15) in the 31st year of Asa, Omri began to reign (1 Kgs. 16:23) in the 38th year of Asa, Ahab began to reign (1 Kgs. 16:29) The Dynasties of the Northern Kingdom of Israel NOTE - DATES ARE APPROXIMATIONS The Northern Kingdom of Israel (also called Samaria) had a total of nine dynasties—each founded by a new king who seized power, often through violence. Unlike Judah, which remained under David’s dynasty, Israel experienced frequent coups and assassinations. The Southern Kingdom of Judah had only one dynasty, the Davidic Dynasty (circa 1010–586 BC) established by King David and continuing until the Babylonian exile of Judah in 586 BC. 1. The Dynasty of Jeroboam (First Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 931–909 BC Members: Jeroboam I (931–910 BC) – First king of Israel after the kingdom split from Judah. Led Israel into idolatry by setting up golden calves in Bethel and Dan (1 Kings 12:25-33). Nadab (910–909 BC) – Son of Jeroboam I, assassinated by Baasha. 🔻 Ended when Nadab was assassinated by Baasha (1 Kings 15:27-28). 2. The Dynasty of Baasha (Second Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 909–885 BC Members: Baasha (909–886 BC) – Killed Nadab and took the throne. Continued idolatry and warred with Asa of Judah. Elah (886–885 BC) – Son of Baasha, assassinated while drunk by Zimri, his military commander. 🔻 Ended when Zimri assassinated Elah (1 Kings 16:9-10). 3. The Dynasty of Zimri (Third Dynasty, Lasted Only 7 Days) 📆 Reigned: 885 BC (7 Days) Zimri – A military commander who killed Elah, reigned for only seven days before Omri overthrew him. He burned himself alive in the palace when Omri’s forces took over (1 Kings 16:18). 🔻 Ended when Zimri died (1 Kings 16:18-19). 4. The Dynasty of Omri (Fourth Dynasty, Most Powerful) 📆 Reigned: 885–841 BC Members: Omri (885–874 BC) – Established Samaria as Israel’s capital and made Israel a regional power. Note that Tibni was a rival king of Omri over the Northern Kingdom but was not a fully recognized ruler by all of Israel, never was uncontested and left no ruling descendants. Therefore technically for these reasons Tibni is not considered a true dynasty like the others who ruled undisputedly for a period. Ahab (874–853 BC) – Son of Omri, one of the most wicked kings. Married Jezebel, led Israel into Baal worship, opposed by Elijah (1 Kings 16:30-33). Ahaziah (853–852 BC) – Son of Ahab, fell through a window and died without an heir. Joram (Jehoram) of Israel (852–841 BC) – Brother of Ahaziah, killed by Jehu. 🔻 Ended when Jehu killed Joram (1 Kings 9:24). 5. The Dynasty of Jehu (Fifth Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 841–753 BC Members: Jehu (841–814 BC) – Killed Joram, Jezebel, and wiped out Ahab’s dynasty. God promised his dynasty would last four generations (2 Kings 10:30). Jehoahaz (814–798 BC) – Son of Jehu, suffered oppression by Syria. Joash (Jehoash) (798–782 BC) – Recovered some land from Syria. Jeroboam II (793–753 BC) – Most successful of Jehu’s dynasty, restored Israel’s borders but continued idol worship. Zechariah (753 BC) – Last of Jehu’s dynasty, assassinated by Shallum after 6 months. 🔻 Ended when Shallum assassinated Zechariah (2 Kings 15:10). 6. The Dynasty of Shallum (Sixth Dynasty, Lasted Only 1 Month) 📆 Reigned: 753 BC (1 Month) Shallum – Usurped the throne by killing Zechariah, but was assassinated after just one month by Menahem. 🔻 Ended when Menahem killed Shallum (2 Kings 15:13-14). 7. The Dynasty of Menahem (Seventh Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 752–740 BC Members: Menahem (752–742 BC) – Brutally seized power, paid tribute to Assyria to keep his throne. Pekahiah (742–740 BC) – Son of Menahem, assassinated by his own captain, Pekah. 🔻 Ended when Pekah killed Pekahiah (2 Kings 15:25). 8. The Dynasty of Pekah (Eighth Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 740–732 BC Pekah (740–732 BC) – Killed Pekahiah and ruled during the Syro-Ephraimite War against Judah. Assyria invaded and took much of Israel’s territory. Pekah was assassinated by Hoshea, ending his dynasty. 🔻 Ended when Hoshea killed Pekah (2 Kings 15:30). 9. The Dynasty of Hoshea (Ninth and Final Dynasty) 📆 Reigned: 732–722 BC Hoshea (732–722 BC) – The last king of Israel. Rebelled against Assyria by seeking Egyptian help, which led to the fall of Samaria in 722 BC. Assyria destroyed Israel and took the people into exile. 🔻 Ended when Assyria conquered Israel (2 Kings 17:6). 1 Kings 16:2 “Inasmuch as I exalted you from the dust and made you leader over My people Israel, and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam and have made My people Israel sin, provoking Me to anger with their sins, I exalted: 1Ki 14:7 1Sa 2:8,27,28 15:17-19 2Sa 12:7-11 Ps 113:7,8 Lu 1:52 walked: 1Ki 13:33,34 15:34 My people: 1Ki 14:16 15:26 Ex 32:21 1Sa 2:24 26:19 Mt 5:19 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Kings 14:7+ “Go, say to Jeroboam, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel, “Because I exalted you from among the people and made you leader over My people Israel, WALKING IN THE WAY OF JEROBOAM Inasmuch as I exalted you from the dust and made you leader over My people Israel - God gives the reasons for the prophetic judgment. Baasha is reminded he reigns because of God raising him up, not because of his merit or ingenuity. Notice the phrase My people Israel -indicating God has not abandoned the 10 tribes, even though they have largely forsaken Him. God is a covenant keeping God and will remain true to His covenant with the fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, regardless of the manifold backslidings of His Chosen People. Amazing love. Amazing grace indeed. C T Lacey - The phrase “exalted thee out of the dust”, instead of “exalted thee from among the people” (1Ki 14:7), as in Jeroboam’s case, suggests that Baasha had risen to the throne from very humble origins. (What the Bible Teaches – 1 and 2 Kings.) and you have walked in the way of Jeroboam - Next Baasha is reminded that despite the LORD's exalting him, he turned away from Yahweh. Walked of course speaks of Baasha's overall conduct, the main direction of his life, which sadly was to imitate the godless walk of his predecessor Jeroboam. Way of Jeroboam is repeated in 1Ki 15:34, 1Ki 16:1, 19, 26 and 1Ki 22:52, giving us the pattern of the other godless Northern kings to follow. and have made My people Israel sin (chata') - Made My people (note again God still claims Israel as His people) indicates Baasha personally caused the people to sin. Thus Baasha is held personally responsible and is bashed by Jehovah for leading Israel away from God and into idolatry. Provoking Me to anger (kaas; Lxx - parorgizo) with their sins (Lxx - mataios - see note below) - The result of Israel's sins was provocation of the anger of Jehovah. Note that provoking God to anger is a key theme in chapter 16 where this verb is used 5 times (1Ki 16:2, 7, 13, 26, 33) Notice also that I say "idolatry" because the Septuagint renders "sins" with the Greek word mataios which means empty, worthless, foolish and in Acts 14:15NLT+ (turn from these worthless things to the living God", NJB = "empty idols", GWT = "worthless gods") and 1Ki 16:13 specifically says "their idols." David

1 Reis 16

Utley - The imagery of dogs eating (or drinking blood) and birds eating is common in the ANE (cf. Deut. 28:22ff; 1 Kgs. 14:11; 21:19,23,24; 22:38; 2 Kgs. 9:10,30-36; Ps. 79:2; Jer. 7:33; 15:3; 16:4; 19:7; 34:20). Basically this is a curse of not being buried properly. 1 Kings 16:5 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? the rest: 1Ki 14:19 15:31 2Ch 16:1-6 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries DEEDS OF BAASHA RECORDED IN LOST BOOKS 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 - This record Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel has been lost, much like Baasha's life and legacy! Note that the fulfillment of Jehu's prophecy was not on Baasha himself but on his son Elah and his lineage. Note the phrase Book of the Chronicles of the Kings is found 34 times - 1 Ki. 14:19; 1 Ki. 14:29; 1 Ki. 15:7; 1 Ki. 15:23; 1 Ki. 15:31; 1 Ki. 16:5; 1 Ki. 16:14; 1 Ki. 16:20; 1 Ki. 16:27; 1 Ki. 22:39; 1 Ki. 22:45; 2 Ki. 1:18; 2 Ki. 8:23; 2 Ki. 10:34; 2 Ki. 12:19; 2 Ki. 13:8; 2 Ki. 13:12; 2 Ki. 14:15; 2 Ki. 14:18; 2 Ki. 14:28; 2 Ki. 15:6; 2 Ki. 15:11; 2 Ki. 15:15; 2 Ki. 15:21; 2 Ki. 15:26; 2 Ki. 15:31; 2 Ki. 15:36; 2 Ki. 16:19; 2 Ki. 20:20; 2 Ki. 21:17; 2 Ki. 21:25; 2 Ki. 23:28; 2 Ki. 24:5; Est. 10:2 1 Kings 16:6 And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place. Baasha: 1Ki 14:20 15:25 Tirzah: 1Ki 14:17 15:21 Elah: 1Ki 16:8,13,14 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries And Baasha slept with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and Elah his son became king in his place - At first some might have been hopeful that Jehu's prophecy was in error in declaring Baasha's line to be exterminated. 1 Kings 16:7 Moreover, the word of the LORD through the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani also came against Baasha and his household, both because of all the evil which he did in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he struck it. KJV 1 Kings 16:7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. NET 1 Kings 16:7 The prophet Jehu son of Hanani received from the LORD the message predicting the downfall of Baasha and his family because of all the evil Baasha had done in the sight of the LORD. His actions angered the LORD (including the way he had destroyed Jeroboam's dynasty), so that his family ended up like Jeroboam's. CSB 1 Kings 16:7 Through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani the word of the LORD also came against Baasha and against his house because of all the evil he had done in the LORD's sight, provoking Him with the work of his hands and being like the house of Jeroboam, and because Baasha had struck down the house of Jeroboam. ESV 1 Kings 16:7 Moreover, the word of the LORD came by the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it. NIV 1 Kings 16:7 Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani to Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the eyes of the LORD, provoking him to anger by the things he did, and becoming like the house of Jeroboam--and also because he destroyed it. NLT 1 Kings 16:7 The message from the LORD against Baasha and his family came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani. It was delivered because Baasha had done what was evil in the LORD's sight (just as the family of Jeroboam had done), and also because Baasha had destroyed the family of Jeroboam. The LORD's anger was provoked by Baasha's sins. NRS 1 Kings 16:7 Moreover the word of the LORD came by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, both because of all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam, and also because he destroyed it. NJB 1 Kings 16:7 Furthermore, the word of Yahweh was delivered through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his House, first because of the many ways in which he had displeased Yahweh, provoking him to anger by his actions and becoming like the House of Jeroboam; secondly because he had destroyed that House. NAB 1 Kings 16:7 (Through the prophet Jehu, son of Hanani, the LORD had threatened Baasha and his house, because of all the evil Baasha did in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger by his evil deeds, so that he became like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed Nadab.) YLT 1 Kings 16:7 And also by the hand of Jehu son of Hanani the prophet a word of Jehovah hath been concerning Baasha, and concerning his house, and concerning all the evil that he did in the eyes of Jehovah to provoke Him to anger with the work of his hands, to be like the house of Jeroboam, and concerning that for which he smote him. through (by the hand_: 1Ki 16:1,2 and against his house: Ex 20:5 in provoking: 1Ki 16:13 with the work: Ps 115:4 Isa 2:8 44:9-20 because he killed him: 1Ki 14:14 1Ki 15:27-29 2Ki 10:30,31 Isa 10:6,7 Ho 1:4 Ac 2:23 4:27,28 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passage: 1 Kings 14:14+ (YAHWEH RAISED UP BAASHA TO CUT OFF JEROBOAM'S LINE) “Moreover, the LORD will raise up for Himself a king over Israel (BAASHA) who will cut off the house of Jeroboam this day and from now on. 1 Kings 15:27-29+ Then Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him (JEROBOAM'S SON HADAB), and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. 28 So Baasha killed him in the third year of Asa king of Judah and reigned in his (NADAB'S) place. 29 It came about as soon as he was king, he struck down all the household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam any persons alive, until he had destroyed them, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, 2 Chronicles 19:2+ (JEHU APPEARS AGAIN ABOUT 50 YEARS LATER) Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD and so bring wrath on yourself from the LORD? JEHU'S PROPHECY BEGINS TO UNFOLD Moreover, the word of the LORD through (literally by the hand of) the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani also came against Baasha and his household, both because of all the evil which he did in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands (idiom for idols - Dt. 4:25; 9:18; 32:16; 1Ki 16:7; 2Ki 17:7; 21:6; Jer. 25:6,7; 32:30; 44:8), in being like the house of Jeroboam, and because he struck it (referring to the house of Jeroboam) - Like Jeroboam, Baasha manufactured idols (work of his hands) which was especially provoking to Yahweh. This shows just how foolish and deceitful idolatry can be -- that one would stoop to worship something he has made as if it were something divine! God was also angry with Baasha because of his destruction of Jeroboam's household. Yes, God had raised up Baasha who would cut off Jeroboam and his line, but Baasha was still held responsible for his actions. Yahweh brings judgment on the instruments that carry out His judgment; David

1 Reis 16

Utley - This act of assassination became a proverb for treason (cf. 2 Kgs. 9:31). Warren Wiersbe reiterates the point about personal culpability even when fulfilling a prophecy - Baasha had fulfilled the prophecy of Abijah and Zimri fulfilled the prophecy of Jehu. But it must be pointed out that a person who fulfills divine prophecy is not innocent of sin. Both Baasha and Zimri were murderers and guilty of regicide, and the Lord held them responsible and accountable. The dynasty of Jeroboam was no more and the dynasty of Baasha was no more. In Judah, the dynasty of David continued. (Bible Exposition Commentary) 1 Kings 16:11 It came about when he became king, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he killed all the household of Baasha; he did not leave a single male, neither of his relatives nor of his friends. he: 1Ki 15:29 Jdg 1:7 he left him: 1Ki 14:10 1Sa 25:22,34 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Kings 15:29+ (COMMON PRACTICE TO KILL ALL KING'S RELATIVES) It came about as soon as he was king, he struck down all the household of Jeroboam. He did not leave to Jeroboam any persons alive, until he had destroyed them, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by His servant Ahijah the Shilonite, ZIMRI OBLITERATES BAASHA'S LINE It came about when he became king, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he killed all the household of Baasha; he did not leave a single male, neither of his relatives nor of his friends - This fulfills God's word through Jehu (1Ki 16:2-4). Zimri brought death, not only to kin, but to all acquaintances! This was ultimately to protect his reign from anyone in the previous king's family. Thus ends the dynasty of Jeroboam, while the dynasty of David continued in Judah. As we saw with Baasha's destruction of Jeroboam's line in fulfillment of prophecy, Zimri also brings about fulfillment of prophecy, but he would still be held responsible for in 1Ki 16:20 his act was called conspiracy (KJV calls it "treason"). Male (shathan = to urinate) is literally, "he who urinates against the wall" (cf. 1 Sa 25:22,34; 1Ki 14:10; 16:11; 21:21; 2 Kgs. 9:8). 1 Kings 16:12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke against Baasha through Jehu the prophet, according: 1Ki 16:1-4 by Jehu the prophet: Heb. by the hand of Jehu the prophet, 1Ki 16:1,7 14:18 2Ki 14:25 2Ch 10:15 Pr 26:6 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ZIMRI FULFILLS JEHU'S PROPHECY Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke against Baasha through Jehu the prophet This refers to 1 Kgs. 16:1-7. Note that Zimri moved fast, accomplishing his evil task in 7 days! Knapp notes that "In less than fifty years the first two dynasties of Israel’s kings had come to an end and every member of their families been exterminated. God meant to make their doom an example to those who should thereafter live ungodly." 1 Kings 16:13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and which they made Israel sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols. provoking: 1Ki 15:30 idols: De 32:21 1Sa 12:21 2Ki 17:15 Isa 41:29 Jer 10:3-5,8,15 Jon 2:8 Ro 1:21-23 1Co 8:4 10:19,20 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Deuteronomy 32:21+ They have made Me jealous with what is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with those who are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation, EXPLANATION FOR GOD'S JUDGMENT ON BAASHA'S LINE For - Term of explanation. What is the writer explaining? I realize it is an easy question, but just pausing to answer helps develop the habit of interrogating the text. All the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned and which they made Israel sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols (KJV - vanities) - Notice that Elah demonstrating "like father, like son," and thus was personally responsible for his own sin. Idols is the Hebrew word hebel which is translated in the Septuagint with the Greek word mataios which means empty, worthless, foolish and in Acts 14:15NLT+ (turn from these worthless things to the living God", NJB = "empty idols", GWT = "worthless gods"). This picture (hebel) of idols makes me think of the phrase grasping after the wind when we try to lay hold of idols! They amount to absolutely nothing of eternal value! Bob Utley on idols - This is the NOUN (BDB 210 I; NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 1005-1006) which means "vapor" or "breath." It denotes the non-existence of idols (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:13,26; Ps. 31:6; Jer. 8:19; 10:8; 14:22; Jonah 2:8). This is a clear manifestation of the superstition of fallen humanity that makes its own gods! Idols (futility, vanities, breath, delusion, worthless, emptiness)(01892) hebel means to vanity, emptiness, meaninglessness; idols. The first OT use refers to idols (Dt 32:21, cf 1 Ki 16:13, 26, Jer 8:19; Jeremiah 10:8, 15; Jer 14:22 Jer 51:18; Jonah 2:9; Ps 31:6), a fitting word picture for the worthlessness of idols! In Jer 2:5 Judah "walked after emptiness (hebel) and became empty" refers to Judah's pursuit of idols (cf similar use Jer 10:15, 2 Ki 17:15 "the followed vanity [hebel] and became vain [worthless]) Hebel refers to breath because of its transitory fleeting character, as in Job's figurative use "my days are but a breath." (Job 7:16, cf similar idea Ps 39:5, 6, 11; Ps 62:9; Ps 78:33 where hebel parallels behālâ from root bāhal "to hasten": Ps 94:11; Ps144:4) Hebel "generally appears in contexts where it is used as a simile emphasizing the transitory state of an object, never as descriptive of the biological function. A prime example would be "Humanity is like a breath (Ps. 144:4). Not only is breath ethereal and of short duration, but all things which breathe will die." (Gilbrant) Vine's summary of hebel - First, the word represents human "breath" as a transitory thing: "I loathe it; I would not live always: let me alone; for my days are vanity [literally, but a breath] (Job 7:16). Second, hebel means something meaningless and purposeless: "Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity" (Eccl. 1:2). Third, this word signifies an "idol," which is unsubstantial, worthless, and vain: "They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities …" (Dt. 32:21, the first occurrence). Other words for idols are: gillul/gillulim means logs, blocks, shapeless things. This word describes "an object (not necessarily three dimensional) which has been formed to resemble a person, god, animal." selem "image," which emphasizes its representational character (used seven times); semel of uncertain etymology (5x); terapim, apparently meaning a "thing of shame" used for Laban's household gods stolen by Rachel; mippeleset "thing of horror"; 'elil "empty or meaningless thing"; 'awen "sinful thing" BDB (KB suggests, a "thing of mystery" from a possible etymology, but BDB is better on the basis of the usage of 'awen). ashera, which are cult objects, perhaps sacred poles, but are more symbols of the goddess 'ashera rather than idols in the normal sense. 1 Kings 16:14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel? written: 1Ki 16:5 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries ELAH'S STORY A KING CUT SHORT Now the rest of the acts of Elah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel - Elah reigned for only 2 years (1Ki 16:8). And Elah's legacy in the Book of the Chronicles has been lost. Note Chronicles is not a reference to First/Second Chronicles. 1 Kings 16:15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days at Tirzah. Now the people were camped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. seven: 1Ki 16:8 2Ki 9:31 Job 20:5 Ps 37:35 people were camped: 1Ki 15:27 Jos 19:44 21:23 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: 1 Kings 15:27 Then Baasha the son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines, while Nadab and all Israel were laying siege to Gibbethon. ZIMRI'S SHORT REIGN In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah - The length of Asa's reign is testimony to the fact that the Southern Kingdom was relatively calm compared to the turbulence and political upheavals in the Northern Kingdom. Is there not a hint here of what a life lived honoring God (south) brings versus what a life lived for self (north) brings? Zimri reigned seven days at Tirzah - Zimri's reign was the shortest of any of the kings, north or south. Zimri was chronologically the fifth of 20 kings in the Northern Kingdom and all 20 were evil! Now the people were camped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines - Zimri had miscalculated that assassinating King Elah would automatically guarantee he would receive the throne of Israel. It is also notable that Zimri as commander of half of Elah's chariots was not at Gibberoth with the rest of the army. Of course, given that he had orchestrated a conspiracy, that might explain why he stayed back to carry out his plan. QUESTION - Who was King Zimri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - Two people named Zimri are mentioned in the Bible. Numbers 25:14 mentions Zimri, son of Salu, a Simeonite prince. Nothing more is revealed of this Zimri. The second Zimri, of whom we know more, became the fifth king in the northern kingdom of Israel, ruling while Asa was king over Judah. 1 Kings 16 details the treasonous way Zimri became king, his brief reign of seven days, and his suicide before he could be assassinated by the next king. First, some background to Zimri’s history. While King Baasha reigned in Israel, a prophet delivered a message from the Lord. The Lord was angry with Baasha for the way he had led Israel into sin. God told him, “So now I will destroy you and your family, just as I destroyed the descendants of Jeroboam son of Nebat. The members of Baasha’s family who die in the city will be eaten by dogs, and those who die in the field will be eaten by vultures” (1 Kings 16:3–4). When Baasha died, his son Elah became king and continued the evil of his father. He reigned for two years until one of his own military officials, Zimri, decided to assassinate him. While Elah was drinking with his palace administrator, Azra, Zimri crashed the party and murdered the drunken Elah (1 Kings 16:9). He immediately sought out and murdered every member of Elah’s family to protect his claim to the throne. Without realizing it, Zimri was the fulfillment of God’s judgment on Elah’s father, Baasha (verse 11). With all of Baasha’s family dead, Zimri took the throne of Israel, believing himself invincible. That fantasy lasted seven days. While Zimri gloated over his coup, ruling from a city called Tisrah, members of Israel’s army learned what he had done. Infuriated, they chose a new commander, Omri, and marched against Zimri. Receiving word that the army was coming against him, Zimri locked himself inside the citadel of his palace and burned it down around him. His treason thus led to his early death. Later, Queen Jezebel used Zimri’s name as a taunt against Jehu when she learned that he had been anointed the next king over Israel in place of her husband, Ahab (2 Kings 9:31). She falsely compared Jehu’s rightful claim to the throne to treasonous Zimri’s seizure of it. However, God was not deterred by her protestations and brought her to an unsavory demise. Jehu ordered her servants to throw her out of a window, and they did. She died in the fall, and the dogs ate her body (verses 32–37). King Zimri had the reputation in Israel of being a traitor, much in the same way that Americans think of Benedict Arnold. Even though Baasha and his son Elah were wicked kings and led Israel into sin, Zimri was equally wicked and took matters into his own hands rather than waiting on God. Daniel 2:21 says that God removes kings and sets up kings. God Himself chose the first king of Israel, Saul (1 Samuel 10:1). And it was God who chose his successors (1 Samuel 16:1; 1 Kings 11:29–31). We learn from King Zimri that God will not honor our attempts to promote our own greatness. He will not bless selfish plans. In contrast to Zimri’s demand for the throne was David’s patient waiting on the Lord. David had been anointed as Israel’s next king but refused to lift his hand against the reigning King Saul (1 Samuel 26:9). David righteously refused to harm “the Lord’s anointed” (verse 11), but Zimri had no such scruples. David refused to take the throne until God handed it to him; Zimri usurped the throne in a mad grab for power. When we, like David, determine to wait on the Lord, He will exalt us in His time (Psalm 37:34; Isaiah 40:31). 1 Kings 16:16 The people who were camped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired and has also struck down the king.” Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp. Omri: 1Ki 16:30 2Ki 8:26 2Ch 22:2 Mic 6:16 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries THE ARMY GETS WIND OF ZIMRI'S TREACHERY The people who were camped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired and has also struck down the king.” - The people who were camped refers to men in the army. It is surprising that there was still somewhat of a moral compass in the Israelites in the north. Clearly they interpreted Zimri's act as evil. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp - Omri was in the right place (commander) at the right time (Zimri's conspiracy and treachery) and thus was crowned king of Israel. Bob Utley - Omri is the most famous king of Israel in non-biblical literature (i.e., Moabite stone and Assyrian documents); as a matter of fact, Israel was known as "the house of Omri." This powerful image of him is not reflected in the Bible. For a good brief account of his reign see R. K Harrison, BORROW Old Testament Times," pp. 213-216, PAGE 214; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1026-1027. SEE KINGS OF THE DIVIDED MONARCHY 1 Kings 16:17 Then Omri and all Israel with him went up from Gibbethon and besieged Tirzah. besieged Tirzah: Jdg 9:45,50,56,57 2Ki 6:24,25 18:9-12 25:1-4 Lu 19:43,44 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OMRI LAYS SIEGE TO TIRZAH & ZIMRI Then Omri and all Israel with him went up from Gibbethon and besieged Tirzah - From one siege (Gibbethon) to another (Tirzah). 1 Kings 16:18 When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house over him with fire, and died, burned the king's house: Jdg 9:54 1Sa 31:4,5 2Sa 17:23 Job 2:9,10 Mt 27:5 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries TIRZAH & ZIMRI THE KING BOTH FALL When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king’s house and burned the king’s house over him with fire, and died - Zimri destroyed as much of the royal residence as he could when he took his life. TOPIC: SUICIDE David

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Utley - "conspiracy" This is literally, "His conspiracy which he conspired." The VERB (BDB 905, KB 1153, Qal PERFECT) is combined with the NOUN (BDB 905). This COGNATE ACCUSATIVE occurs six times (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:20; 2 Kgs. 12:20; 14:19; 15:15,30; 2 Chr. 25:27). 1 Kings 16:21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri. NET 1 Kings 16:21 At that time the people of Israel were divided in their loyalties. Half the people supported Tibni son of Ginath and wanted to make him king; the other half supported Omri. CSB 1 Kings 16:21 At that time the people of Israel were divided: half the people followed Tibni son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. ESV 1 Kings 16:21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri. NIV 1 Kings 16:21 Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri. NLT 1 Kings 16:21 But now the people of Israel were split into two factions. Half the people tried to make Tibni son of Ginath their king, while the other half supported Omri. divided: 1Ki 16:8,29 15:25,28 Pr 28:2 Isa 9:18-21 19:2 Mt 12:25 1Co 1:12,13 Eph 4:3-5 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries A DIVISION IN THE NORTHERN DIVISION Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri - These two verses (v21-22) are the only mention of Tibni, so that we know nothing else about him. Records show that he did rule in opposition to Omri for about 4-5 years (Compare "27th year of Asa" in 1Ki 16:15 and "31st year of Asa" in 1Ki 16:23). Josephus says it lasted four years. During this time the Northern Kingdom was divided into the section ruled by King Tibni and the section ruled by King Omri. This was a time of civil war, brother against brother in Israel, another of the wages of forsaking God's ways and worshipping empty idols! 1 Kings 16:22 But the people who followed Omri prevailed over the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. And Tibni died and Omri became king. NET 1 Kings 16:22 Omri's supporters were stronger than those who supported Tibni son of Ginath. Tibni died; Omri became king. CSB 1 Kings 16:22 However, the people who followed Omri proved stronger than those who followed Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king. ESV 1 Kings 16:22 But the people who followed Omri overcame the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. So Tibni died, and Omri became king. NIV 1 Kings 16:22 But Omri's followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king. NLT 1 Kings 16:22 But Omri's supporters defeated the supporters of Tibni. So Tibni was killed, and Omri became the next king. 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OMNI DEFEATS TIBNI TIBNI O BECOME KING But the people who followed Omri prevailed over the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. And Tibni died and Omri became king - We do not know how Tibni died (slain or natural causes). 1 Kings 16:23 In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king over Israel and reigned twelve years; he reigned six years at Tirzah. the thirty: 2Ch 22:2 twelve years: 1Ki 16:8,29 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OMRI KING OF ISRAEL FOR 12 YEARS In the thirty-first year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king over Israel and reigned twelve years; he reigned six years at Tirzah. - So clearly once Omri prevailed over Zimri, he remained in Tirzah as his capital city. QUESTION - Who was King Omri in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - King Omri was the sixth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. Despite his precarious ascension to the throne, Omri ruled for twelve years (885–874 BC) before his son, King Ahab, succeeded him. As the others before him, Omri did evil in the sight of the Lord, but Omri is noted in the Bible for being the worst of the kings to that point (1 Kings 16:25). Omri’s reign began amidst turmoil. King Elah had reigned for two years before he was assassinated by one of his officials, Zimri (1 Kings 16:8–14). Zimri reigned for only seven days (1 Kings 16:15–20). The Israelites heard of Zimri’s plot against Elah and “proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp” (1 Kings 16:16). Omri and his men laid siege to the capital city of Tirzah. Upon seeing this, Zimri went into the royal palace and set it on fire, killing himself. Not everyone was sure they wanted Omri to be their king; the people of Israel were split over whom to support. Half of them rallied to Omri, but the other half preferred Tibni for king (1 Kings 16:21). “But Omri’s followers proved stronger than those of Tibni son of Ginath. So Tibni died and Omri became king” (1 Kings 16:22). Omri took undisputed control of Israel during the thirty-first year of King Asa’s reign in the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 16:23). Omri died in the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign, which accounts for only eight years of the twelve that Omri ruled. This means that Omri must have first risen to power in the twenty-seventh year of Asa and then spent four years in conflict with Tibni. Omri ruled for six years in Tirzah, and during his reign he purchased a hill called Samaria, an easily defended natural stronghold (1 Kings 16:23–24). Samaria remained the capital of Israel for as long as the northern kingdom lasted. The city of Samaria and its surrounding area would later become the home of the despised Samaritans during Jesus’ time. As did the kings of the ten northern tribes of Israel before him, Omri committed the same sins as Jeroboam, and increasingly so. 1 Kings 16:25–26 says, “Omri did evil in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.” Ahab, Omri’s infamous son, went on to do even more evil in God’s eyes (1 Kings 16:30–33). The dynasty begun by Omri lasted four generations before God judged their wickedness and brought an end to Omri’s line. QUESTION -Who/what was Tirzah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - Tirzah in the Bible is 1) the name of a city that Joshua conquered (Joshua 12:24), and 2) the name of a woman from the tribe of Manasseh who was instrumental in clarifying a law governing family inheritances (Numbers 26:33; Joshua 17:3). In Joshua chapter 12, we learn of the city of Tirzah, an ancient Canaanite city west of the Jordan River, allotted to the half-tribe of Manasseh. Tirzah was conquered by Joshua (Joshua 12:24). Tirzah became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel from the time of Jeroboam I until the reign of Omri. It was Omri who moved the capital to Samaria (1 Kings 16:23). There aren’t many references to the city of Tirzah in the Bible, but we do know a few things about it. Tirzah was where Jeroboam’s son died. Also Baasha, Elah, and Zimri ruled Israel from Tirzah (1 Kings 14:17; 15:33; 16:6, 15). The city is compared to a beautiful young woman in Song of Solomon 6:4, “You are as beautiful as Tirzah, my darling, as lovely as Jerusalem, as majestic as troops with banners.” The other Tirzah, a daughter of Zelophehad, joined her four sisters and came to Moses with a concern over how the Promised Land was to be divided to their family. In Numbers 26:52–56, Moses was given instructions from the Lord on how to divide up the land for inheritance, but these sisters had a unique situation in that they had no male relatives to maintain the inheritance for them (verse 33). With no father and no brothers to inherit a portion of the land, the daughters of Zelophehad would be left destitute. In Numbers 27:1–4 Tirzah and her sisters proposed to Moses that they be allowed to inherit their father’s portion of the land. God ruled in favor of the daughters. They could inherit their father’s portion of the land as a way to provide for themselves and preserve the memory of their father (verses 5 –11). Later, in Numbers 36, we once again hear about the daughters of Zelophehad. This time it is in relation to whom they could marry. A potential problem loomed: if Tirzah and her sisters, who were now landowners, married men outside their tribe, they would join their husbands’ tribes and take their father’s property with them. As the sisters married men from other tribes, the property allotted to Manasseh, the tribe of Zelophehad, would be diminished (Numbers 36:1–3). God instructed that the daughters of Zelophehad could marry anyone they wanted within their father’s tribal clan. The land promised to Zelophehad could not be parceled out to other tribes. The name Tirzah means “she is my delight.” Throughout the Bible, God shows special concern for the widow and the orphan. This was certainly the case with Tirzah and the other daughters of Zelophehad. 1 Kings 16:24 He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill. the name of the city: 1Ki 13:32 18:2 20:1 22:37 2Ki 17:1,6,24 Joh 4:4,5 Ac 8:5-8 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries OMRI BUYS AND BUILDS SAMARIA He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named the city which he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill - This hill was about 300 feet high and about 7 miles northwest of Shechem. Bob Utley - "He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer" Samaria (see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 1163-1165) was a very fortified, geographical location with a 400 foot drop on three sides, which meant only one side had to be fortified. The hill contained its own spring inside the walls of the city. This city was such a major fortification that it took Tiglath-Pileser three years to finally capture it in 722 b.c. "Shemer" The name Shemer (BDB 1037 I) is a play on the Hebrew word "watchtower." The name Samaria retains this play on the word. John

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Utley - We learn of the worship of this Canaanite deity from the Ugaritic tablets. Originally he was a weather god who defeated Yamm the god of the waters. Later he developed into the fertility god in his relationship to Mot, the god of death and the underworld. Mot killed Ba'al, but Ba'al's sister, Anath, attacked Mot and destroyed him. Out of this mythological struggle the annual spring fertility was attributed to Ba'al coming back from the underworld. In the Bible, Ba'al is associated with Asherah, his female consort. Gotquestions.org - Who is Baal? Wicked Ruler - John Butler “It came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshiped him.” (1 Kings 16:31) AHAB was a very wicked king. In fact, Scripture says he was more wicked than any of his predecessors (1 Kings 16:30, 33). His wickedness was a great curse to his kingdom. Our verse today gives a brief but instructive snapshot of Ahab which shows the evil in his walk, his wife, and his worship. The news media of Ahab’s day would not describe Ahab this way. They would, like our news media, describe the wicked ruler in glowing terms. But Scripture speaks the truth unlike much of the news media. His walk. “As if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam.” Ahab was wicked like Jeroboam, the first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. And this evil was so accepted that it was considered a “light thing” to do. How often evil becomes so common that it is not considered serious. Today in our land abortion, gambling, homosexualism and other evil acts of conduct are all treated lightly as though they were not serious failures of conduct. But God does not treat sin lightly! He will judge sin properly. His wife. “He took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians.” Jezebel was a very wicked woman. In fact, she was more wicked that Ahab. Her father was not only a king but was also a priest of Baal which explains why Jezebel was so wicked. Later Scripture says Jezebel “stirred up” (1 Kings 21:25) Ahab to work evil. Marry the ungodly and you will be ungodly. Associate with the ungodly and you will act ungodly. His worship. “Went and served Baal, and worshiped him.” The influence of Jezebel encouraged Ahab to reject Jehovah and worship Baal instead. Baal worship was a vile religion that involved gross immoralities and engaged in bloody persecution of Jehovah worshipers. Creed determines conduct, and Ahab’s wicked worship encouraged his wicked lifestyle. If we do not worship well, we will not behave well. QUESTION - Who was Jezebel in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org ANSWER - “Jezebel” is a name synonymous with evil; she is the epitome of the wicked woman. So infamous is her name that, to this day, no one names their baby daughter “Jezebel.” To call a woman a “Jezebel” is the greatest insult imaginable. Jezebel was the daughter of Ethbaal, a priest of the cruel, sensuous, false god Baal. Ethbaal, the priest-king of Tyre who murdered his own brother to take over the throne, was hardly a good father figure. But Jezebel followed in her father’s footsteps and was herself a power-hungry murderess who stopped at nothing to get what she wanted. The king of Israel at the time was Ahab, a weak, self-pitying man who abdicated his authority to his bride, the princess Jezebel. In spite of God’s laws forbidding idolatry and the worship of any god but the Lord, Ahab married this princess who brought to Israel with her hundreds of priests of lewd Baal worship, a cult that tended to destroy manhood and drag womanhood into shame. Jezebel was such a domineering person that she soon became master over her weak husband. One of her first acts was to order the extermination of the prophets of the Lord (1 Kings 18:4, 13) and set up altars to Baal. So pervasive was her idolatrous influence in Israel that Jesus later used her name to refer to a woman who led the church at Thyatira into immorality and the worship of false gods (Revelation 2:20). Jezebel’s strongest enemy was the great prophet Elijah, who defied her and opposed her evil rule. First, he pronounced the punishment of God upon Israel in the form of a drought which lasted three years (James 5:17). This culminated in a contest on Mount Carmel between the powers of Israel’s true God and the Baals. After the 450 priests of Baal and 400 priests of Asherah spent the day beseeching their gods with wailing and self-mutilation to end the drought, all to no avail, Elijah prayed to his omnipotent God who responded by accepting the sacrifice, having the false prophets slaughtered, and providing an abundance of rain (1 Kings 18:16-46). Instead of acknowledging the awesome power of the one true God, Jezebel was enraged and vowed to kill Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-2). Elijah fled from her wrath to the wilderness (1 Kings 19:3-8). In the meantime, Jezebel was proving herself to be the greedy, murderous, evil woman she truly was. A righteous man named Naboth owned a vineyard next to Ahab’s palace. Ahab offered to buy the vineyard, but Naboth, honoring God’s command to keep inheritances within the family, rightly refused to sell. Ahab became “sullen and angry” and went home to sulk on his bed. Jezebel ridiculed him for his weakness and told him to cheer up for she would get the vineyard for him. She plotted with two lying scoundrels to have Naboth falsely accused and denounced, then put to death. Then she calmly declared to Ahab that the vineyard was his (1 Kings 21:1-16). Here we see the formula for a disastrous marriage: a weak, childish man who allows his evil, domineering wife to rule the home. This is the exact opposite of God’s plan for marriage: a loving husband who leads his family, and whose care for his wife mirrors that of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:25-26, 28-29), and a godly woman who submits to her husband “as to the Lord” (Ephesians 5:22), each submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ (Ephesians 5:21; Colossians 3:18-19; 1 Peter 3:7). As with all who defy the Lord, Jezebel’s end was not a pretty one, although it was more gruesome than most, perhaps as an object lesson to all who set themselves up against the one true God. Her doom was sure, having been prophesied by Elijah in 1 Kings 21:23. Even as she saw her death approaching, she remained defiant to the end, painting her face and adorning herself in queenly garments. She looked out the window and shouted her defiance to Jehu, the next king of Israel who came to take his throne (2 Kings 9:30-37). Jehu commanded her to be thrown out the window to her death, where she was trampled by the horses’ hooves and almost entirely consumed by dogs. Her thirty years of tyranny over Israel had ended. The terror visited upon Jezebel was a testimony to the Israelites, and to us, that God’s power is supreme and those who defy Him will meet a terrible end. 1 Kings 16:32 So he erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria. the house of Baal: 2Ki 10:21,26,27 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AHAB'S BLATANT APOSTASY! BUILDING A TEMPLE FOR BAAL So - Term of conclusion. Why is this a conclusion? What has the writer just clearly stated about Ahab? He erected an altar for Baal in the house of Baal which he built in Samaria - While Jehovah had His house in Jerusalem, Ahab built a house for his false god in Samaria, which in effect made Baalism the official pagan religion of the Northern Kingdom. Recall that Jeroboam I had installed syncretistic worship (Yahweh and idols), but Ahab is fully into Baal worship. Bob Utley - "Jezebel, the daughter of Ethbaal, king of the Sidonians" The name (BDB 33) may mean "Zebul exists," thereby "Ba'al exists." Her father's name contains "Baal." Jezebel was the means by which wholesale Phoenician Baalism entered into the daily life of the people of Israel. FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE Cogan draws an interesting analogy pointing out that "Ahab's introduction of the cult of Baal in Samaria is hardly different from Solomon's installation of various high places in Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kings 11:7); both monarchs honored their wives by supporting the worship of their native gods." (Borrow 1 Kings: A New Translation with Introduction and Commentary Page 420) F B Meyer on the bad reign of Ahab: “This came to pass, not so much because his character was more depraved: but because he was a weak man, the tool of a crafty, unscrupulous, and cruel woman: and some of the worst crimes that have ever been committed have been wrought by weak men, at the instigation of worse – but stronger – spirits than themselves.” 1 Kings 16:33 Ahab also made the Asherah. Thus Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. KJV 1 Kings 16:33 And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. BGT 1 Kings 16:33 καὶ ἐποίησεν Αχααβ ἄλσος καὶ προσέθηκεν Αχααβ τοῦ ποιῆσαι παροργίσματα τοῦ παροργίσαι τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ τοῦ ἐξολεθρευθῆναι ἐκακοποίησεν ὑπὲρ πάντας τοὺς βασιλεῖς Ισραηλ τοὺς γενομένους ἔμπροσθεν αὐτοῦ LXE 1 Kings 16:33 And Achaab made a grove; and Achaab did yet more abominably, to provoke the Lord God of Israel, and to sin against his own life so that he should be destroyed: he did evil above all the kings of Israel that were before him. NET 1 Kings 16:33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he did more to anger the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. CSB 1 Kings 16:33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him. ESV 1 Kings 16:33 And Ahab made an Asherah. Ahab did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him. NIV 1 Kings 16:33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than did all the kings of Israel before him. NLT 1 Kings 16:33 Then he set up an Asherah pole. He did more to provoke the anger of the LORD, the God of Israel, than any of the other kings of Israel before him. made the Asherah: Ex 34:13 2Ki 13:6 17:16 21:3 Jer 17:1,2 did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel : 1Ki 16:30 21:19,25 22:6,8 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries AHAB'S SURPASSES THE SINS OF PREDECESSORS Ahab also made the Asherah (Asherah) - Ahab is directly promoting pagan worship to worship of Yahweh. William

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Utley - There is some ambiguity in the OT as to exactly the symbol of this fertility goddess. In some texts it seems to imply a live tree planted by the altar of Ba'al (cf. Deut. 16:21; Jdgs. 3:7; 6:25). However, in other passages it seems to imply a carved, wooden stake (cf. 1 Kgs. 14:15,23; 2 Kgs. 17:16). The reason Asherah is symbolized by a tree or a carved stake is that to ancient people, trees were sacred, basically because they showed the presence of underground water; others believed that the Asherah was a symbol of "the Tree of Life" from the Garden of Eden. Ba'al and Asherah are connected with the worship of the Babylonian star deities known as the "hosts of heaven" (cf. 2 Kgs. 17:16; 21:3; 23:4; 2 Chr. 3:3). This female fertility goddess is first mentioned in the Bible in Exod. 34:13; Deut. 7:5; 12:3. Ba'al and Asherah became major problems in the northern kingdom during the reign of Ahab because of Jezebel's influence. 1 Kings 16:34 In his days Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho; he laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. Jos 6:26 23:14,15 Zec 1:5 Mt 24:35 1 Kings 16 Resources - Multiple Sermons and Commentaries Related Passages: Joshua 6:26+ Then Joshua made them take an oath at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD is the man who rises up and builds this city Jericho; with the loss of his firstborn he shall lay its foundation, and with the loss of his youngest son he shall set up its gates.” FULFILLMENT OF THE JERICHO CURSE- A WARNING TO AHAB? In his days - This "time phrase" is important for interpretation of this passage which almost seems out of place. The question of course is "whose days?" From the preceding context, this has to be a reference to King Ahab. Hiel the Bethelite built Jericho - Bethel was a center of idolatry (worship of golden calves set up by Jeroboam I, 1Ki 12:28-33), so Hiel likely did not fear God or His warnings. Given the fact that God had been largely forsaken in the Northern Kingdom (of which Jericho was a possession), Hiel may not have even known about Joshua's curse (Joshua 6:26+) which had been given over 350 years earlier. Some commentators believe that Hiel carried out this rebuilding project because of the fact that the King had fostered a spirit of total disobedience to God's Word. He laid its foundations with the loss of Abiram his firstborn, and set up its gates with the loss of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which He spoke by Joshua the son of Nun - Hiel's building in Jericho resulted in perfect fulfillment of the curse in Joshua 6:26+. Note the clear statement according to the word of the LORD which links Hiel's son's deaths with God's Word given by Joshua centuries earlier. God's Word stands forever and His prophecies will all be perfectly fulfilled. Psalm 119:89 says "Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven." While the text does not give us details, it is likely the tragic news got back to King Ahab regarding the death of Hiel's two sons. This should have been a warning to Ahab, but it is possible he may not have known about the curse in Joshua 6:26+. Guzik may be correct in his assessment of this somewhat enigmatic verse writing that Hiel's loss of his sons "This was a merciful warning to Ahab that he ignored. God told him, “You cannot go against my word without paying the price. Hiel of Bethel, the man you directed to rebuild Jericho, has found this to be true. Take this warning seriously.” Yet Ahab did not take this warning seriously. The text is telling you that open defiance of Yahweh’s word typified Ahab’s regime Dale Ralph Davis: This is not a piece of unrelated trivia about construction work. The writer includes it as what was characteristic of Ahab’s reign. The opening phrase, ‘in his [Ahab’s] days,’ implies that Hiel did not undertake this project on his private initiative but under Ahab’s direction. To ‘build’ (bānāh) here means to ‘rebuild’ or ‘fortify’ as in 1Ki 15:17. After the destruction of Jericho Joshua had pronounced a curse upon anyone who would rebuild Jericho (Josh. 6:26), the curse to which our writer refers in the last half of this verse. The curse did not prohibit folks from living on the site, for there seem to have been post-conquest settlements there (cf. Josh. 18:21; Jdg. 3:13; 2 Sam. 10:5). The curse was on anyone who dared to rebuild Jericho as a fortress. . .The text is telling you that open defiance of Yahweh’s word typified Ahab’s regime. Our writer makes this clear in that he does not merely say Hiel’s sons died in accord with Joshua’s curse; rather, he explicitly says it was ‘in line with the word of Yahweh which he spoke by the hand of Joshua.’ Was Jericho fortified? Oh yes—a monument to Ahab’s defense strategy. But there were other monuments. Walk outside Bethel to Hiel’s family burial plot and see the graves of Abiram and Segub, monuments to Yahweh’s certain judgment. But that was the reign of Ahab—folks thought nothing of flying in the teeth of Yahweh’s word. (1 Kings: The Wisdom And the Folly ) (Bolding added) William