1 Kings 16:16
New International Version
When the Israelites in the camp heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and murdered him, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day there in the camp.

New Living Translation
When they heard that Zimri had committed treason and had assassinated the king, that very day they chose Omri, commander of the army, as the new king of Israel.

English Standard Version
and the troops who were encamped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired, and he has killed the king.” Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Berean Standard Bible
and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had conspired against the king and struck him down. So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel.

King James Bible
And the people that were encamped 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.

New King James Version
Now the people who were encamped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired and also has killed the king.” So all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

New American Standard Bible
And the people who were camped heard it being said, “Zimri has conspired and has also struck and killed the king!” Therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

NASB 1995
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.

NASB 1977
And 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.

Legacy Standard Bible
And 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.

Amplified Bible
and the people who were camped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired and has also struck down the king.” So all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Christian Standard Bible
When these troops heard that Zimri had not only conspired but had also struck down the king, then all Israel made Omri, the army commander, king over Israel that very day in the camp.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
When these troops heard that Zimri had not only conspired but had also struck down the king, then all Israel made Omri, the army commander, king over Israel that very day in the camp.

American Standard Version
And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also smitten the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

English Revised Version
And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also smitten the king: wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
When the army heard that Zimri had plotted [against the king] and killed him, the Israelite troops in the camp made Omri, the commander of the army, king of Israel.

Good News Translation
and when they heard that Zimri had plotted against the king and assassinated him, then and there they all proclaimed their commander Omri king of Israel.

International Standard Version
The army at the encampment heard this report: "Zimri has conspired against the king and killed him." So the entire army of Israel made Omri, their commander, king over Israel.

Majority Standard Bible
and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had conspired against the king and struck him down. So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel.

NET Bible
While deployed there, the army received this report: "Zimri has conspired against the king and assassinated him." So all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day in the camp.

New Heart English Bible
The people who were camped heard it said, "Zimri has conspired, and has also struck the king." Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Webster's Bible Translation
And the people that were encamped heard it said, 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.

World English Bible
The people who were encamped heard that Zimri had conspired, and had also killed the king. Therefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and the people who are encamping hear, saying, “Zimri has conspired, and also has struck the king”; and all Israel causes Omri head of the host to reign over Israel on that day in the camp.

Young's Literal Translation
and the people who are encamping hear, saying, 'Zimri hath conspired, and also hath smitten the king;' and all Israel cause Omri head of the host to reign over Israel on that day in the camp.

Smith's Literal Translation
And the people encamping will hear, saying, Zimri conspired and also struck the king; and all Israel will make Omri chief of the army, king over Israel in that day in the camp.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And when they heard that Zambri had rebelled, and slain the king, all Israel made Amri their king, who was general over Israel in the camp that day.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And when they had heard that Zimri had rebelled, and that he had killed the king, all of Israel made Omri as a king for themselves; he was the leader of the military over Israel in the encampment in that day.

New American Bible
when they heard, “Zimri has formed a conspiracy and has killed the king.” So that day in the camp all Israel made Omri, commander of the army, king of Israel.

New Revised Standard Version
and the troops who were encamped heard it said, “Zimri has conspired, and he has killed the king”; therefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And the people who were encamped heard the news that Zimri had conspired, and had also slain the king; wherefore all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And the people who were camping heard, and they were saying: “Zemri rebelled, also he killed the King!” And all Israel made Amri Commander of the army King over Israel on that day in the camp.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And the people that were encamped heard say: 'Zimri hath conspired, and hath also smitten the king'; wherefore all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And the people heard in the army, saying, Zambri has conspired and smitten the king: and the people of Israel made Ambri the captain of the host king in that day in the camp over Israel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Zimri Reigns in Israel
15In the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon of the Philistines, 16and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had not only conspired but had also struck down the king. So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel. 17Then Omri and all the Israelites marched up from Gibbethon and besieged Tirzah.…

Cross References
2 Kings 9:13
Quickly, each man took his garment and put it under Jehu on the bare steps. Then they blew the ram’s horn and proclaimed, “Jehu is king!”

2 Samuel 2:8-10
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. / Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David.

2 Samuel 5:3
So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel.

1 Kings 1:39-40
Zadok the priest took the horn of oil from the tabernacle and anointed Solomon. Then they blew the ram’s horn, and all the people proclaimed, “Long live King Solomon!” / All the people followed him, playing flutes and rejoicing with such a great joy that the earth was split by the sound.

2 Kings 11:12
Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, presented him with the Testimony, and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and declared, “Long live the king!”

2 Kings 14:21
Then all the people of Judah took Azariah, who was sixteen years old, and made him king in place of his father Amaziah.

2 Kings 15:32-33
In the second year of the reign of Pekah son of Remaliah over Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah became king of Judah. / He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother’s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok.

2 Kings 23:30
From Megiddo his servants carried his body in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

1 Samuel 10:24
Samuel said to all the people, “Do you see the one the LORD has chosen? There is no one like him among all the people.” And all the people shouted, “Long live the king!”

1 Samuel 16:13
So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah.

2 Samuel 15:10
Then Absalom sent spies throughout the tribes of Israel with this message: “When you hear the sound of the horn, you are to say, ‘Absalom reigns in Hebron!’”

1 Kings 12:20
When all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, they summoned him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. Only the tribe of Judah followed the house of David.

2 Kings 10:5
So the palace administrator, the overseer of the city, the elders, and the guardians sent a message to Jehu: “We are your servants, and we will do whatever you say. We will not make anyone king. Do whatever is good in your sight.”

Matthew 21:8-9
A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. / The crowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”

John 12:13
They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting: “Hosanna!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Blessed is the King of Israel!”


Treasury of Scripture

And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri has conspired, and has also slain the king: why all Israel made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp.

Omri

1 Kings 16:30
And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him.

2 Kings 8:26
Two and twenty years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign; and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Athaliah, the daughter of Omri king of Israel.

2 Chronicles 22:2
Forty and two years old was Ahaziah when he began to reign, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Athaliah the daughter of Omri.

Jump to Previous
Army Camp Camped Captain Commander Conspired Encamped Heard Host Israel Omri Slain Smitten Struck Wherefore Zimri
Jump to Next
Army Camp Camped Captain Commander Conspired Encamped Heard Host Israel Omri Slain Smitten Struck Wherefore Zimri
1 Kings 16
1. Jehu's prophecy against Baasha
5. Elah succeeds him
8. Zimri, conspiring against Elah, succeeds him
11. Zimri executes Jehu's prophecy
15. Omri, made king by the soldiers, forces Zimri desperately to burn himself
21. The kingdom being divided, Omri prevails against Tibni
23. Omri builds Samaria
25. His wicked reign
27. Ahab succeeds him
29. Ahab's most wicked reign
34. Joshua's curse upon Hiel the builder of Jericho














and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had conspired against the king and struck him down.
This phrase highlights the political instability in Israel during this period. Zimri, a commander in the army, assassinated King Elah, the son of Baasha, fulfilling the prophecy against Baasha's house (1 Kings 16:1-4). The camp refers to the military encampment, indicating that the army was on a campaign, possibly against the Philistines or other neighboring threats. The news of Zimri's conspiracy and regicide would have spread quickly, causing unrest and uncertainty among the troops. This act of treachery reflects the broader theme of the Northern Kingdom's frequent changes in leadership and the lack of a stable dynasty, contrasting with the Davidic line in Judah.

So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel.
Omri's proclamation as king by the army signifies a swift response to Zimri's coup. Omri was a prominent military leader, and his support among the troops was crucial for his ascension. This event underscores the importance of military backing in securing the throne, a common theme in the ancient Near East. The phrase "all Israel" suggests a consensus among the military leaders and possibly the tribal representatives present, indicating a desire for stability and strong leadership. Omri's reign would later be significant, as he established a new dynasty and moved the capital to Samaria, which became a central location in Israel's history. His rule is noted for its political and economic achievements, despite the biblical narrative's focus on his idolatry (1 Kings 16:25-28).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zimri
A military commander who conspired against and killed King Elah, taking the throne of Israel for a brief period.

2. Omri
The commander of the army who was proclaimed king by the troops after Zimri's conspiracy and murder of King Elah.

3. Elah
The king of Israel who was assassinated by Zimri while he was in a drunken state.

4. Israel
The northern kingdom, distinct from Judah, where these events took place.

5. The Camp
The location where the troops were stationed and where Omri was declared king.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Conspiracy
Zimri's actions demonstrate the destructive nature of conspiracy and betrayal. His short reign serves as a warning against seeking power through unrighteous means.

The Role of Leadership
Omri's rise to power highlights the importance of strong leadership in times of crisis. The troops' decision reflects a desire for stability, even if the means were not divinely sanctioned.

Divine Sovereignty vs. Human Ambition
The events remind us that while humans may plot and plan, God's sovereignty ultimately prevails. We should seek His guidance in leadership decisions.

The Impact of Sin on a Nation
The repeated cycles of sin and rebellion in Israel's history illustrate how sin can lead to national instability and suffering. Personal and communal repentance is crucial.

Trust in God's Timing
The swift change in leadership serves as a reminder to trust in God's timing and plan, rather than taking matters into our own hands.(16) Made Omri . . . king.--This exaltation of Omri, as a matter of course, shows how entirely the kingdom of Israel had become the prize of the sword. By a curious coincidence (see 1Kings 15:27) the dynasty of Baasha had been founded in the camp before the same city of Gibbethon. Zimri's conspiracy appears to have been hastily planned, with no provision of adequate means of support; for Tirzah is taken at once.

Verse 16. - And the people that were encamped heard say, Zimri hath conspired, and hath also slain the king: wherefore all Israel [obviously, all the army. Cf. 1 Kings 12:1, 16, 18] made Omri, the captain of the host, king over Israel that day in the camp. It was hardly likely they would submit to the usurpation of Zimri. Not only had he occupied a subordinate position, but his murder of all Elah's friends must have made him a host of enemies in the camp. It was the natural thing for them, therefore, to turn to Omri. He had the advantage of being in possession. The captain of the host stood next to the king (2 Kings 4:13; 2 Samuel 5:8; 2 Samuel 19:13; 2 Samuel 20:23), and twice stepped into his place (2 Kings 9:5). This history has many parallels in that of the Roman empire.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
and the people
הָעָם֙ (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

in the camp
הַחֹנִ֣ים (ha·ḥō·nîm)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural
Strong's 2583: To incline, to decline, to pitch a, tent, gen, to encamp

heard
וַיִּשְׁמַ֤ע (way·yiš·ma‘)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that Zimri
זִמְרִ֔י (zim·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2174: Zimri -- four Israelites

had not only conspired
קָשַׁ֣ר (qā·šar)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7194: To tie, gird, confine, compact, in love, league

but had also
וְגַ֖ם (wə·ḡam)
Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 1571: Assemblage, also, even, yea, though, both, and

struck down
הִכָּ֣ה (hik·kāh)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5221: To strike

the king.
הַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (ham·me·leḵ)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

So there in the camp
בַּֽמַּחֲנֶֽה׃ (bam·ma·ḥă·neh)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - common singular
Strong's 4264: An encampment, an army

that very
הַה֖וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

day,
בַּיּ֥וֹם (bay·yō·wm)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3117: A day

all
כָֽל־ (ḵāl)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִ֠שְׂרָאֵל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

proclaimed Omri,
עָמְרִ֨י (‘ā·mə·rî)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 6018: Omri -- a king of Israel, also several other Israelites

the commander
שַׂר־ (śar-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of the army,
צָבָ֧א (ṣā·ḇā)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 6635: A mass of persons, reg, organized for, war, a campaign

king
וַיַּמְלִ֣כוּ (way·yam·li·ḵū)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 4427: To reign, inceptively, to ascend the throne, to induct into royalty, to take counsel

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

Israel.
יִשְׂרָאֵ֛ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc


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OT History: 1 Kings 16:16 The people who were encamped heard say (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 16:15
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