April 25, 2024

Baasha did evil in the eyes of the Lord, so God sent word by Jehu that if he dies in the city, the dogs will eat him, but if he dies in the field, the birds will eat him. He ended up being buried in Tirzah. After his death, Elah, his son, became king of Israel. Elah reigned for two years in Tirzah and then died at the hand of Zimri, the captain of half of his chariots, when he was drunk. Zimri killed Elah and the rest of Baasha’s family and friends so there were none left. Zimri took over the kingdom but only lasted seven days. When the people found out about his treason, they went after him, but he went into the palace and set it on fire, killing himself. 

Israel had two kings for a short time. However, the people who followed Omri prevailed against the people who followed Tibrni, and Omri became king over all the people. An interesting note about Omri is that he built the city of Samaria. It was named after the man he bought the land from. However, it seems that was the only good he did. He was worse than all the other kings. After reigning for twenty-two years, he died and was buried in Samaria. 

During all these years of the different kings of Israel, Asa still reigned in Judah. 

Finally, we are moving on to a well-known king, but not for the good he did, but because he was more evil than any of the previous kings: Ahab! He married Jezebel, a Baal worshipper, and things went downhill from there, as we will find out in the coming chapters.

God installs kings and removes them, so don’t be too discouraged about the current situation in the United States. I’m sure that the person reigning over us right now will be looked upon as being more evil than any of the previous “kings.” Things are rough financially for a lot of people. Hang in there; it’s got to get better soon. Keep praying for God to intervene. 

And Ahab 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. 1 Kings 16:33