1 Kings 16:20
As for the rest of the acts of Zimri and the treason he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
As for the rest of the acts of Zimri

Zimri ruled Israel for only seven days at Tirzah, yet his brief reign brought the violent end of Baasha’s dynasty. After assassinating the drunken King Elah, Zimri destroyed Baasha’s household in fulfillment of the judgment proclaimed through Jehu. When Omri’s army besieged Tirzah, Zimri burned the king’s house over himself rather than surrender. His short rule displayed the instability produced by rebellion, bloodshed, and persistence in Jeroboam’s sins.

1Ki 15:31 As for the rest of the acts of Nadab, along with all his…
2Ki 13:8 As for the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz,…
1Ki 14:29 As for the rest of the acts of Rehoboam,…

and the treason he committed,

Zimri gained the throne through betrayal of his king, whom he was sworn to serve as commander of half the chariots. His treachery illustrates the recurring pattern of military coups that weakened the Northern Kingdom. The judgment that fell on Baasha’s house did not excuse Zimri’s murderous ambition, for he too continued in idolatry and came under God’s judgment.

1Ki 15:27 Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar…
2Ki 15:10 Then Shallum son of Jabesh conspired against Zechariah,…
2Ki 15:30 Then Hoshea son of Elah led a conspiracy against Pekah…

are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

The inspired writer points to official royal records that preserved fuller accounts of Israel’s kings and their reigns. Those records are distinct from the biblical books of Chronicles and have not survived. Their mention confirms that the history in Kings rests within real events, rulers, cities, and written sources, while God’s Word records what is necessary to reveal His judgment and faithfulness.

1Ki 14:19 As for the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he waged war…
1Ki 22:39 As for the rest of the acts of Ahab, along with…
2Ki 10:34 As for the rest of the acts of Jehu, …

Persons / Places / Events
1. Zimri
A commander in the army of Israel who conspired against and assassinated King Elah, becoming king himself for a brief period of seven days.

2. Elah
The king of Israel whom Zimri assassinated. Elah was the son of Baasha and reigned for two years.

3. Tirzah
The capital of the northern kingdom of Israel during Zimri's short reign.

4. The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel
A historical record mentioned in the Bible, which documented the reigns and acts of the kings of Israel.

5. Conspiracy
The plot led by Zimri to overthrow King Elah, which ultimately led to his own brief reign and subsequent demise.
Teaching Points
The Consequences of Sinful Ambition
Zimri's account is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition driven by sin. His desire for power led to his downfall, reminding us to seek God's will rather than our own selfish desires.

The Fleeting Nature of Earthly Power
Zimri's seven-day reign illustrates the temporary nature of earthly power and the futility of seeking security in anything other than God.

God's Sovereignty Over History
Despite human schemes and conspiracies, God's sovereign plan prevails. Zimri's brief rule was part of a larger divine account, showing that God is in control of history.

The Importance of Righteous Leadership
The chaos and instability during Zimri's time highlight the need for leaders who are righteous and seek to honor God in their governance.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Zimri's actions about the dangers of seeking power through unrighteous means?

2. How does the brief reign of Zimri illustrate the temporary nature of human achievements compared to eternal values?

3. In what ways does Zimri's account demonstrate God's sovereignty, even amidst human conspiracies and chaos?

4. How can we apply the lessons from Zimri's downfall to our own lives, particularly in areas where we might be tempted to pursue selfish ambitions?

5. What other biblical examples of conspiracy and its consequences can we find, and how do they reinforce the teachings found in Zimri's account?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 16:9-19
Provides the context of Zimri's conspiracy and the events leading up to his short reign as king.

2 Kings 9:31
References another conspiracy in Israel, drawing a parallel to the treacherous nature of Zimri's actions.

Proverbs 6:16-19
Lists things the Lord hates, including a heart that devises wicked schemes, which can be related to Zimri's conspiracy.

Psalm 37:1-2
Offers wisdom on the fate of evildoers, which can be applied to Zimri's downfall.
A Divine Judgment and its InstrumentJ. Urquhart 1 Kings 16:8-20
The Kingdom of MenJ.A. Macdonald 1 Kings 16:15-22
People
Abiram, Ahab, Arza, Asa, Baasha, Elah, Ethbaal, Ginath, Hanani, Hiel, Israelites, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jezebel, Joram, Joshua, Nebat, Nun, Omri, Segub, Shemer, Sidonians, Tibni, Tirzah, Zidon, Zidonians, Zimri
Places
Bethel, Gibbethon, Jericho, Samaria, Tirzah
Topics
Acts, Annals, Aren't, Book, Carried, Chronicles, Conspiracy, Design, History, Kings, Matters, Rebellion, Recorded, Reign, Rest, Secret, Treason, Written, Wrought, Zimri, Zimri's
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 16:18-19

     8739   evil, examples of

Library
Whether the Mode of virtue Falls under the Precept of the Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that the mode of virtue falls under the precept of the law. For the mode of virtue is that deeds of justice should be done justly, that deeds of fortitude should be done bravely, and in like manner as to the other virtues. But it is commanded (Dt. 26:20) that "thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." Therefore the mode of virtue falls under the precept. Objection 2: Further, that which belongs to the intention of the lawgiver comes chiefly under the precept.
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Man Can be Saved Without Baptism?
Objection 1: It seems that no man can be saved without Baptism. For our Lord said (Jn. 3:5): "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." But those alone are saved who enter God's kingdom. Therefore none can be saved without Baptism, by which a man is born again of water and the Holy Ghost. Objection 2: Further, in the book De Eccl. Dogm. xli, it is written: "We believe that no catechumen, though he die in his good works, will have eternal life, except
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the Old Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that there can be no suitable cause for the sacraments of the Old Law. Because those things that are done for the purpose of divine worship should not be like the observances of idolaters: since it is written (Dt. 12:31): "Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God: for they have done to their gods all the abominations which the Lord abhorreth." Now worshippers of idols used to knive themselves to the shedding of blood: for it is related (3 Kings 18:28) that they
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether a Vow Consists in a Mere Purpose of the Will?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow consists in nothing but a purpose of the will. According to some [*William of Auxerre, Sum. Aur. III, xxviii, qu. 1; Albertus Magnus, Sent. iv, D, 38], "a vow is a conception of a good purpose after a firm deliberation of the mind, whereby a man binds himself before God to do or not to do a certain thing." But the conception of a good purpose and so forth, may consist in a mere movement of the will. Therefore a vow consists in a mere purpose of the will. Objection
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Whoever is Perfect is in the State of Perfection?
Objection 1: It would seem that whoever is perfect is in the state of perfection. For, as stated above (A[3], ad 3), just as bodily perfection is reached by bodily growth, so spiritual perfection is acquired by spiritual growth. Now after bodily growth one is said to have reached the state of perfect age. Therefore seemingly also after spiritual growth, when one has already reached spiritual perfection, one is in the state of perfection. Objection 2: Further, according to Phys. v, 2, movement "from
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether after the Resurrection Every one Will Know what Sins He Has Committed?
Objection 1: It seems that after the resurrection everyone will not be able to know all the sins he has committed. For whatever we know, either we receive it anew through the senses, or we draw it from the treasure house of the memory. Now after the resurrection men will be unable to perceive their sins by means of sense, because they will be things of the past, while sense perceives only the present: and many sins will have escaped the sinner's memory, and he will be unable to recall them from the
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut,
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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