1 Kings 16:1
Hanani — He was sent to Asa, king of Judah. But the son, who was young and more active, was sent on this longer and more dangerous expedition to Baasha, king of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
Hanani — He was sent to Asa, king of Judah. But the son, who was young and more active, was sent on this longer and more dangerous expedition to Baasha, king of Israel.... [ Continue Reading ]
I made thee — Though that invading the kingdom was from himself, and his own wicked heart; yet the translation of the kingdom from Nadab to Baasha simply considered, was from God, who by his providence disposed of all occasions, and of the hearts of the soldiers and people, so that Baasha should hav... [ Continue Reading ]
Came, &c. — The meaning is, the message which came from the Lord to Jehu, 1 Kings 16:1, &c. was here delivered by the hand, the ministry of Jehu, unto Baasha. Jehu did what God commanded him in this matter, tho' it was not without apparent hazard to himself.... [ Continue Reading ]
Two years — One compleat, and part of the other, 1 Kings 16:10.... [ Continue Reading ]
Chariots — Of all his military chariots, and the men belonging to them: the chariots for carriage of necessary things, being put into meaner hands. Tirzah — Whilst his forces were elsewhere employed, 1 Kings 16:15, which gave Zimri advantage to execute his design.... [ Continue Reading ]
Kinfolks — Heb. avengers; to whom it belonged to revenge his death.... [ Continue Reading ]
Vanities — Idols called vanities; because they are but imaginary deities, and mere nothings; having no power to do either good or hurt.... [ Continue Reading ]
Gibbethon — Which had been besieged before, but, it seems, was then relieved, or afterwards recovered by the Philistines; taking the advantage of the disorders and contentions which were among their enemies.... [ Continue Reading ]
For his sins — This befell him for his sins. In walking, &c. — This he might do, either before his reign, in the whole course of his life, which is justly charged upon him, because of his impenitency: or during his short reign; in which, he had time enough to publish his intentions, about the worshi... [ Continue Reading ]
Were divided — Fell into a civil war: yet neither this, nor any other of God's dreadful judgments could win them to repentance.... [ Continue Reading ]
Prevailed — Partly, because they had the army on their side; and principally, by the appointment of God, giving up the Israelites to him who was much the worst, 1 Kings 16:25. Died — A violent death, in the battle: but not till after a struggle of some years. But why in all these confusions of the k... [ Continue Reading ]
Twelve years — That is, and he reigned twelve years, not from this thirty — first year of Asa, for he died in his thirty — eighth year, 1 Kings 16:29, but from the beginning of his reign, which was in Asa's twenty — seventh year, 1 Kings 16:15. So he reigned four years in a state of war with Tibni,... [ Continue Reading ]
Two talents — Two talents is something more than seven hundred pounds.... [ Continue Reading ]
Did worse — Perhaps he made severer laws concerning the calf worship; whence we read of the statutes of Omri, Micah 6:16.... [ Continue Reading ]
A light thing — The Hebrew runs, was it a light thing, &c, that is, was this but a small sin, that therefore he needed to add more abominations? Where the question, as is usual among the Hebrews, implies a strong denial; and intimates, that this was no small sin, but a great crime; and might have sa... [ Continue Reading ]
In his days — This is added, as an instance of the certainty of divine predictions, this being fulfilled eight hundred years after it was threatened; and withal, as a warning to the Israelites, not to think themselves innocent or safe, because the judgment threatened against them by Ahijah, 1 Kings... [ Continue Reading ]