1 Kings 16:8

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Benson Commentary

1 Kings 16:8-10. Began Elah to reign in Tirzah two years — One complete and part of another. Zimri, captain, of half his chariots — Of all his military chariots, and the men belonging to them; the chariots, or carriages for necessary things being put into meaner hands. Conspired against him as he was in Tirzah — While his forces were elsewhere employed, (1 Kings 16:15,) which gave Zimri advantage to execute his design. Zimri went in and smote him — Here was a speedy execution of the vengeance threatened against him by Jehu.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:1-14 This chapter relates wholly to the kingdom of Israel, and the revolutions of that kingdom. God calls Israel his people still, though wretchedly corrupted. Jehu foretells the same destruction to come upon Baasha's family, which that king had been employed to bring upon the family of Jeroboam. Those who resemble others in their sins, may expect to resemble them in the plagues they suffer, especially those who seem zealous against such sins in others as they allow in themselves. Baasha himself dies in peace, and is buried with honour. Herein plainly appears that there are punishments after death, which are most to be dreaded. Let Elah be a warning to drunkards, who know not but death may surprise them. Death easily comes upon men when they are drunk. Besides the diseases which men bring themselves into by drinking, when in that state, men are easily overcome by an enemy, and liable to bad accidents. Death comes terribly upon men in such a state, finding them in the act of sin, and unfitted for any act of devotion; that day comes upon them unawares. The word of God was fulfilled, and the sins of Baasha and Elah were reckoned for, with which they provoked God. Their idols are called their vanities, for idols cannot profit nor help; miserable are those whose gods are vanities.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Two years - i. e., More than one year, or, at any rate, some portion of two distinct years (compare 1 Kings 16:10).

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

8. began Elah the son of Baasha to reign—(compare 1Ki 15:33). From this it will appear that Baasha died in the twenty-third year of his reign (see on [317]1Ki 15:2), and Elah, who was a prince of dissolute habits, reigned not fully two years.

Matthew Poole's Commentary

One complete, and part of the other, 1 Kings 16:10, which in Scripture account is reckoned for a year. See Poole "1 Kings 15:25".

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

In the twenty sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years. Not complete, for he died in the twenty seventh of Asa, 1 Kings 16:10 he reigned just the time that Nadab the son of Jeroboam did, 1 Kings 15:25.

Geneva Study Bible

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

8–14. Elah king of Israel (Not in Chronicles)

8. In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began] These words, like most other chronological dates, are omitted by the LXX.

in Tirzah, two years] Here as in 1 Kings 15:33 the R.V. inserts in italics after ‘Tirzah’ the words and reigned, which makes the sense clearer.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 8. - In the twenty and sixth year of Asa, king of Judah, began Elah, son of Baasha, to reign over Israel, two years [cf. ch. 15. and see note on 1 Kings 15:28]. 1 Kings 16:8

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The Reign of Elah. - As Baasha reigned from the third to the twenty-sixth year of Asa, i.e., not quite twenty-four years, but only twenty-three years and a few months, so his son Elah reigned from the twenty-sixth to the twenty-seventh year of Asa, i.e., not quite two years.