12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake against Baasha t by Jehu the prophet;

13 For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their " vanities.

V

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?

[Practical Observations.]

15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah; and the people were y encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.

ed heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they a besieged Tirzah.

18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died,

in

19 For his sins which he sinned doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and 4 in his sin which he did, to make Israel sin.

20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

21 Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

22 But the people that followed Omri prevailed against the people that follow

16 And the people that were encamp-ed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni

p 2 Kings 9:31.

q 15.

r 15:29. Judg. 1:7.

See on 14:10.-1 Sam. 25:22, 34.

*Or, both his kinsmen and his friends.

1 See on 1-4.

f Heb. by the hand of. 7. 14: 18. 2 Kings 14.25. 2 Chr. 10:

15. Prov. 26:6.

u Deut. 32:21. 1 Sam. 12:21.
2 Kings 17:15. Is. 41:29. Jer.
10:3-5,8,15. Jon. 2:8. 1 Cor.
8:4. 10:19,20.

v See on 5.

x 2 Kings 9:31. Job 20:5. Ps.
37:35,36.

y 15:27. Josh. 19:44. 21:23.

was given to the Levites. (Josh. 19:44. 21:23.) The Philistines, however, had got possession of it, during the distractions which prevailed in Israel.

V. 17-19. The army, which besieged Gibbethon, having made their commander Omri king, by a military election; and Omri having left the siege of Gibbethon, to make war against Zimri in Tirzah; Zimri, finding his cause desperate, afraid of falling alive into the hands of his enemies, and perhaps envying his competitor the possession of that palace and those riches which he had coveted, burnt himself, with the palace and all its treasures. He was driven to this extremity, and left to this desperation, by the righteous judgment of God, for his sins: as in the space of seven days he had murdered all the posterity and relations of Baasha; and had manifested his determination to support the worship of the golden calves. (Note, 2 Kings 9:30-37.)

and delivered his message to Baasha, as the man (15:27,28.) and it was the second time interruptof God did to Jeroboam. (Notes, 13:1-6. 2 Chr.ed by the murder of Elah, who staid at home to 16:7—10. 19:2.)-Killed him.] Baasha destroy- indulge himself while his army was besieging that 'ed Jeroboam in his posterity, by cruelly mur-city.-Gibbethon lay in the lot of Dan, but it 'dering them all.' God had not commanded him to do this, though he had predicted that it should be done. Baasha was actuated by his own ambition and other selfish passions; and therefore deserved punishment, though he fulfilled the righteous purposes of God. (Notes, 2 Kings 10: 29-31. Is. 10:5-15. Hos. 1:4,5. Acts 2:22-24.) V. -14. Baasha began to reign in the third year of Asa; and he reigned twenty-four years; yet he died, and was succeeded by Elah, in the twenty-sixth year of Asa. Thus, it is evident, that a part of the third year of Asa, after Baasha came to the throne, is calculated as a whole year. (Note, 15:9.) In like manner Elah, who began to reign in the twenty-sixth year of Asa, and was killed in the twenty-seventh, is said to have reigned two years, that is, a part of two years.-The sentence, denounced against the house of Baasha greatly resembles that denounced against Jeroboam and his family: and both Jeroboam and Baasha died in peace; while Nadab and Elah, their sons, were slain within two years, and the posterity of each of them was entirely and ignominiously extirpated! But Baasha's friends likewise were involved in the same ruin: and Zimri executed the sentence of the prophet with great rapidity; though he meant not so.-Drunk. (9) Marg. Ref. o.

V. 15. The death of Nadab had before prevented the prosecution of the siege of Gibbethon:

V. 21, 22. The army, encamped before Gibbethon, chose Omri, their commander, king: but it seems either that some of them were afterwards disgusted by him; or, that the principal persons, who were absent, disapproved of this measure, and set up Tibni against him.-As the war lasted six years, (Note, 23.) numbers no doubt were cut off on both sides, before the contest ended with the death of Tibni.

So Tibni, &c. (22) How much is contained iL this concise sentence! and similar contests_con [259

B. C. 9.25.

23 ¶ In the thirty and first year || rael of Asa king of Judah, began Ŏmri

in Samaria twenty and two years. 30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil twelve years: six in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.

to reign over Israel,
years reigned he in Tirzah.

24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill,

maria.

31 And 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 daughSa-ter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, t and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.

25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and i did worse than all that were before him.

26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities.

27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri, which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? B. C. 28 So Omri m slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.

910.

8

32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

29 ¶ And in the thirty and eighth yearn of Asa king of Judah, began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel: and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Is|j 2,7,19. 12:26-33. 13:33,34. k See on 13.-Ps. 31:6. Jer. 8. 19. 10:3,8. 14:22. 16:19. 18.15. Acts 14:15. Rom. 1:21-23. 15,14,20. 15:31. m See on 6.

g 8,29.

h 13:32. 18:2. 20:1. 22:37. 2 Kings 17:1,6,24. John 4:4,5. Acts 8:5-8.

Heb. Shomeron.

i 30,31,33. 14:9. Mic. 6:16.

It is an

33 And Ahab y 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.

a

34 In his days did Hiel the Beth-elite build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun. See on 24. 25,31,33, 14:9. 21:25. 2 Kings Heb. was it a light thing,

3:2.

&c.

Is.

p Gen. 30:15. Num. 16:9.
7:13. Ez. 8:17. 16:20,47. 34:

18.

q Gen. 6:2. Deut. 7:3,4. Josh.
23:12,13. Neh. 13:23-29.

r 18:4,19. 19:1,2. 21:5-14,25.

2 Kings 9:30-37. Rev. 2:20.

11:1. Judg. 10:12 18:7.

t See on 11:4-8.

u

21:26. Judg. 2:11. 3:7. 10:6.

2 Kings 10:18. 17:16.

x 2 Kings 10:21,26,27.

y Ex. 34:13. 2 Kings 13:6. 17: 16. 21:3. Jer. 17:2.

z 21:19,25. 22:6,8.

a Josh. 6:26. 23:14,15. Zech. 1:5,6. Matt. 24.35.

and even of the golden calves; and in establishing that of Baal throughout the land.

tinually terminate in the same manner. those of Jeroboam; (Note, Ez. 16.44-47.) for, epitome especially of the history of civil wars. without any political inducement, he proceeded V. 23. Twelve, &c.] Twelve years elapsed to still grosser idolatries. He had a rooted enbetween the death of Zimri and that of Omri; mity to the worship of JEHOVAH, and to every namely from the beginning of the twenty-seventh, thing which related to it; and he married Jezeto the end of the thirty-eighth year of Asa's reign. bel, a zealous and furious worshipper of Baal, on But probably, half that time had been spent in purpose, as it seems, to have her counsel and ascivil wars, between Omri and Tibni; and the thir-sistance in supplanting the worship of the Lord, ty-first year of Asa was nearly concluded, when Ömri obtained the undisputed possession of the throne; from which time he reigned six complete years. Thus, whilst Israel was torn to pieces by intestine commotions, conspiracies, massacres, and the succession of one usurper to another, who were all monsters of iniquity, and all destroyed the families, friends, and adherents of the murdered king; Judah was quietly governed by one pious prince, who began to reign in the days of Jeroboam, survived Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri, and lived till the fourth year of Ahab. The revolt of Israel therefore proved to be mainly their own loss. (Note, 12:16.)

V. 24. It is probable, that the burning of the palace at Tirzah, by Zimri, induced Omri to this measure. It is conjectured that Shemer sold this estate at a low price, upon condition of having the city, to be built on it, called by his name. From this city the whole surrounding country|| was called Samaria, or Shomeron: and sometimes the whole kingdom of the ten tribes is thus called, after Samaria became the capital city. (Marg. Ref.)

V. 30-33. Omri had done worse than all that had been before him, and probably had enforced the worship of the golden calves with greater strictness and severity: (25,26.) but it seemed a light thing to Ahab to tread in his steps, or in ||

Ethbaal, &c. (31) Called in profane writers Ithobalus. Bp. Patrick. His name was taken from the idol, which he worshipped.

An altar for Baal, &c. (32) Jeroboam and his successors professed to consider the golden calves, as representatives of the God of Israel. (Note, 12:26-29.) But Ahab more directly and expressly worshipped other gods. (Notes, 2 Kings 10:18-28.)-A grove. (33) Marg. Ref. y. Notes, 2 Kings 17:16. 21:3.

V. 34. (Note, Josh. 6:26.) Four hundred and forty years had passed, since this word had been spoken; and the exact accomplishment of it, after so long a period, was a solemn warning to the people, to expect the fulfilment of all the curses denounced against them, in case of their idolatry, by Moses and Joshua. (Notes, Deut. 4:25-28 Josh. 23:13-16.) This account illustrates th daring spirit of rebellion against God, which prevailed in those wretched times. Hiel, inured to idolatry at Beth-el, set the curse of God at defiance: and, though his eldest son died when he laid the foundation of Jericho, he scorned to be intimidated, or to desist from his undertaking; till, when he completed the work, his youngest son died also; and the rest of his children, as it is supposed, in the intermediate space of time.

are driven away into the eternal world, not only under condemnation as sinners, but under the domineering power of most diabolical dispositions, being "vessels of wrath fitted for destruction." From such a death, good Lord, deliver us!-In all cases the triumphing of the ungodly is short; and for the wickedness of nations many are their princes. When tyrants hastily succeed one another, with massacres, conspiracies, and civil wars; and when every one is worse than all that went before him; we may be sure that the Lord has a controversy with the people for their sins: and they are loudly called to repentance and reformation. Indeed, those who forsake God, will generally be left to plague one another: they, who seek not rest in his service, will always be unsettled and uneasy; and when his professed people quarrel with each other, their enemies will always be gainers.-Intermarriages with daring offenders greatly embolden men's minds in wickedness, and hurry them on to the greatest excesses.-The progress of iniquity must be from bad to worse; it seems a light thing to notorious sinners to walk in the steps of their predecessors; and they are often ambitious of distinguishing themselves, and of expressing their enmity and contempt of God, in ways before unheard of. Hence so many newly invented oaths, blasphemies, superstitions, and species of false religion; as well as new refinements in licentiousness and immorality. When princes set the example of rebellion against God, their subjects will often ambitiously emulate them, and thus ungodliness becomes a test of loyalty, and a kind of fashionable accomplishment: nor will any warnings daunt the stout spirits of presumptuous sinners, till wrath come upon them to the uttermost. But they, who despise the denunciations of God's word, will certainly know his truth in them by their own dreadful experience.

We do not well understand the rules, and plans of wisdom, justice, truth, and mercy, by which God governs nations and individuals; (Note, Ps. 97:2.) yet we may draw general instructive conclusions from this history. Frequently the Lord warns before he punishes: and they, who are not induced to repentance, are rendered more inexcusable in their wickedness. By whatever means men are advanced to authority; their exaltation is from the Lord, they are bound to use it in his service, and are liable to severe punishment for the abuse of it: yet they must also give an account to God, for the crimes committed in order to obtain the dangerous pre-eminence. The same observations hold good in respect of wealth, and every other temporal distinction.-God is greatly displeased with those who in any way tempt others to commit iniquity: but he is especially provoked by those, who seduce his professing people to apostacy, or true believers to conceal or disgrace their profession: persecutors, therefore, will be answerable for all the sins, to which they tempt men by the dread of punishment, as well as for all the injustice which they commit, and the blood which they shed.-Those who follow the examples of such as have been awfully punished for their sins, may expect to be overtaken with similar vengeance: and many very wicked men have been men of might and renown, have built cities, and perpetuated their memories in the annals of history; but they have no name in the book of life, and stand condemned in the word of God.-The impunity of the principal culprits, while their children, relatives, or helpers suffer for their crimes, loudly declares the approaching day of judgment, and the more exact discrimination of characters, and distribution of rewards and punishments, which shall then take place.-No crime more degrades and exposes a man than drunkenness: and they who sit down with the intention of "drinking themselves drunk," or are persuaded CHAP. XVII. V. 1. The most illustrious to do so, should recollect how easily they may be prophet Elijah was raised up, in the reign of the murdered in such a state; in how many ways they most wicked among the kings of Israel: and he may be hurried before the tribunal of God; and is brought to our notice in a very abrupt manner. what an awful thing it would be, to meet their Nothing is recorded either of his parentage, eduJudge.n such a situation. And when rulers and cation, or previous manner of life. He is called great men spend their time in intemperate indul-"the Tishbite:" but it is not agreed, whether this gence, instead of attending to the duties of their station, it bodes ill to the public and to themselves. (Notes, Esth. 3:12-15. Prov. 31:4-7. Ec. 10:16-19.)

V. 15-34.

Wicked men accomplish the purposes of God without intending it; and their injustice and cruelty towards each other display his righteousness, while they illustrate the desperate wickedness of the heart of man.-When they are hurried on by their vile passions, and have got the power into their hands, they often perpetrate much wickedness in a little time: and thus they speedily fill up their measure, and hasten the vengeance of God upon themselves. Whether they destroy themselves, or are murdered by others, the ruin is brought upon them by sinning against the Lord: even in death they frequently shew the predominancy of their pride, envy, and malice; and thus

NOTES.

title was taken from the place where he lived; or given him because he was the reformer of Israel: for the word may signify a converter. He was of the inhabitants of Gilead, beyond Jordan; but we know not of which tribe. His name signifies, The LORD my God is He. This might imply that JEHOVAH, the true God, would stand by him in the perilous services to which he was called, in opposing the worship of false gods.-It may be supposed, that Elijah had previously warned Ahab to forsake his idolatry, and that he had treated his message with contempt: at length therefore, he declared, and confirmed it with a solemn oath by the LORD God of Israel, before whom he stood, (as his servant acting by his authority,) that there should be neither rain nor dew for years, but according to his word; that is, until be came again, and foretold its coming, and prayed for it. The expression, "As the LORD God of Israel liveth,"

3 Get thee hence, and turn thee east- || that the brook dried up, because there ward, and hide thyself by the brook had been no rain in the land. Cherith, that is before Jordan.

e

4 And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there.

5 So he went and did according unto the word of the LORD: for he went and dwelt by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan.

6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.

7 And it came to pass, * after a while,

e 22:25.

16:24. Ps. 31.20. 83.3. Jer. 36.19,26. John 8:59. Acts Heb. 11:38. Rev. 12:

17:14. 6,14.

9. 19.5-3. Num. 20:8. Job 34.29 38.8-13,41. Ps. 33:8, 9. 147.9. 4.11.

John 15.14.

h Ex. 16:35. Num. 11:23. Judg.
14:14. 15:13,19. Ps. 34:9,10.
37:3,19. 78: 15,16,23,24. Jer.
37:21. 40.4. Hab. 3:17,18.
Matt. 6:31,32. 14:19-21. 19:
Luke 22.35. Heb. 6:18.
*Heb. at the end of days.

26. Am. 9.3,4. Matt. 4:

[Practical Observations.]

8 ¶ And the word of the LORD came

i Is. 40:30,31. 54:10.

k See on 2.-Gen. 22:14. Is. 41:
17. Heb. 13:6.

1 Ob. 20. Luke 4:26. Sarepta.
m Matt. 15:21,22.

21. 2 Cor. 4.7.

o Gen. 21:15. 24:17.

John 4:7. 2 Cor. 11:27. Heb. 11:37. Matt. 10:42. p Gen. 24.18,19. 25:35-40. Heb. 13:2.

14.9. Prov. 3:5,6. Matt. n 4. Judg. 7:2,4. Rom. 4:17intimated that the idols of the heathen were life- rendered equally extraordinary, in order to excite less stocks, and could not help their worshippers. the attention of a thoughtless and hardened gen-The duration of this drought was three years eration. Ravens, being birds of prey, were far and a half; and the effects must have been inex- more likely to take away the food of those who pressibly calamitous. (Marg. Ref. c.) One whole had any, than to bring bread and flesh to the year, without rain or dew, would afflict this land, prophet in his destitute situation: but the commore terribly than it can be conceived: but in mand, or miraculous power of God, suspended much less than three years and a half nearly all their natural instinct, and made them act directly the cattle must be destroyed, and most of the in- contrary to it. (Note, 1 Sam. 6:10-16.) It is usehabitants would be either dead or migrated into less and presumptuous to inquire whence they other countries. Yet the bulk of Israel continued procured the bread and flesh, or how the food was mad upon their idols, throughout this most tre- prepared? He, who commanded them to feed his mendous calamity! It was sent in answer to the servant, had ten thousand ways of enabling them prophet's prayer, which probably he offered in to fulfil his word. Thus Elijah was sufficiently Ahab's hearing: and the judgment was intended provided for, when numbers were starving: and to be a demonstration, that Baal could not defend the consolations of the Lord would render him bis worshippers against the indignation of JEHO- Contented with his solitude and sustenance.— VAH. The glory of God and the interests of true Some have objected that ravens, being unclean religion were therefore so greatly concerned in birds, would pollute the food which they brought: this decision, which was needful in order to pre- but this arises from a mistake. The flesh of unvent the utter apostacy and rejection of Israci, clean animals might not be eaten; but the touch that the prophet might present this petition in wise of them when living, communicated no ceremonial zeal, and true benevolence; and doubtless he was uncleanness, either to food, or any other thing: for immediately instructed by the Lord to do so. The asses and camels were also unclean; yet in conbenefit of the calamity would abundantly out-stant use, for carrying provisions, as well as for weigh the miseries: for though many were hardened, yet doubtless numbers were eventually brought to repentance, and made to embrace and continue stelfast in the service of the true God. (Note, Jam. 5:16-19.).

V. 2, 3. Elijah was commanded to conceal himself, not only to avoid the persecuting rage of Ahab instigated by Jezebel, but as an additional judgment upon the Israelites. The Lord did not intent to shorten the term of the calamity, and he would not have his servant pray for it and be denied. (Notes, Jer. 14:10–12. 15:1.) He was pleased therefore to send him out of the way, that he might not be solicited and refuse: and all this time the people were deprived of the benefit of Elijah's example and instructions. Thus he was excluded from society and usefulness: but he doubtless was engaged in heavenly contemplation and communion with God; and in prayers for the reformation of his people, and for their being turned unto the Lord, though not for the present removal of the famine.-The brook Cherith ran into the river Jordan; (5) but it seems the place was so retired, and the prophet kept so close, that neither friens nor foes knew where he was. (Note, 18:10.)

V. 4-6. Elijah was a very extraordinary person, and every circumstance relating to him was

other purposes. (Note, Lev. 11:31.)

V. 7. Elijah seems to have continued in this situation about a year: the natural supply of water which came by common Providence failed because of the dry weather; but the miraculous supply of food, which was ensured to him by promise, failed not. (Note, 10—16.)

V. 9. (Marg. Ref. 1.) This woman was of Gentile extraction, a Zidonian, of the same nation with Jezebel the patroness of the worship of Baal: (16:31.) yet she had become acquainted with the God of Israel, and probably was a spiritual worshipper of him, when the nation of Israel was in general lapsed to idclatry. (Note, Matt. 15:21-24.) That ravens first, and then a poor widow-woman, a Gentile, should be employed to feed God's prophet, in preference to any of the Israelites, was a severe reflection upon that people: and Elijah's being sent to Zarephath, rather than to any other city, or any poor distressed widows, of Israel, was an illustration of God's sovereignty, and a pre-intimation of the calling of the Gentiles. (Note, Luke 4:23-30.)-As the Lord commands his creatures, according to their natures, and capacities; perhaps this poor widow had received some pre-intimation of Elijah's coming, and a command to entertain him, nothing doubting.