1 Kings 15

1 Kings 15:15-28

In this chapter we have a short history, (1.) Of two kings of Judah. 1. Of Ahlam, ver. 1—8. 2. Afa, ver. 9—4a. (2.) Of two kings of Israel, Nadah the son of Jeroboam, and Baasha the destroyer of Jeroboam’s house, ver. 25—34.

The conspirators executed their plot, whilst the army was absent befieging Gibbenton, the siege of which had been raised on the death of Nadab, and immediately proclaimed Zimri at Tiraah. But short was the continuance of his ill-gotten dignity. The army, incensed against the waiter, set up in opposition Omri as king, and raising the siege of Gibbenton, marched instantly back to Tiraah, where we find.

1. The fall of Zimri. Though seven days terminated his reign, yet in them he shewed his disposition to Jeroboam’s fins. Unable to defend himself against the forces under Omri, he rather chose to perish in the flames of his palace, than fall with it into the hands of his envied rival. Note, (1.) The end of ambitious projection is frequently to perish in the flames they have kindled. (2.) Envy and revenge, even in death, forsake out the wicked.

2. The civil war which ensued between Omri and Tibni. The people were divided between these conspirators for the crown, and four years the struggle lasted, when Tibni seems to have fallen in battle, and Omri reigned without a rival, in the thirty-first year of Afa, though his first election was in the twenty-seventh, from whence the years of his reign are to be dazed. Also, Of all vifestation on a nation, none are more terrible than civil wars.

3. Omri, far from taking warning by his predecessor’s forfeiture, did worke than all that went before him; and, not satisfied with encouraging idolatry, compelled the people to it by proud flatness, Met. v. 16.

4. He removed the royal residence from Tiraah to Samaria, having bought the hill of Shemer, the owner, for two talents of silver, about seven hundred and fifty pounds, and erected a spacious city, which ever afterwards continued the metropolis of Israel. There, after a reign of twelve years, he died, and was buried, and left his crown to a son more abandoned to wick-stand than his father. Thus, when a people forsake God, they go from worke to worke, till destruction comes upon them to the uttermoth.

5. ¶ And in the thirty and eighth year of Afa king of Judah, began Ahab the son of Omri to reign over Israel; and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria, twenty and two years. 30. And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the light of the LORD, ‘above all that were before him. 31. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the fins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat; that he took to wife’ Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. 32. And he reared up an altar for Baal, in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. 33. 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. 34. ¶ In his days did Heir the Beth-eline build Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his first-born, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segula, ‘according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun.

1 Kings 15:29-34

Ahab, that monster of iniquity, succeeds his father Omri in the 35th year of Afa. We have,

1. A general account of his wicked reign, the particulars of which follow. He out-did all the work of his predecessor; even Jeroboam’s fins were light to his. He began with marrying a Zidonians wife, if possible, worke than himself, idolatrous, proud, imperious, lewd, malicious, the adviser and encourages of every abomination. Her gods pleaded him better than his own; and he went probably at first to Tyre to worship; and then, that he might have his idol nearer home, he reared a magnificent temple in Samaria, set up an altar before the image of Baal, and planted a grove around it, to perform the shocking rites the day blushed to behold. Note, (1.) Of all earthly plagues that can light upon miserable man, there is not a greater, than to be joined to a wicked and abandoned woman. (2.) The idolatry grudges no expences to serve his abominations; and shall we be niggards at the altar of God? (3.) Deeds of lewdness hate the light; but what thick grove can exclude the piercing eye of God?

2. Hath prolongation and punishment is recorded. Jericho, under the curle of Joshua, had lain waife more than five hundred years; but his impiety defied the anathema, and probably on purpose encouraged by the king and queen, he retaliate to rebuild it; but God will make him know whose word shall stand. The foundation, according to the preclifton, Psal. vi. 20. was laid with the death of his eldest son; and when the grave were set up, the last and youngest of his family expired. Note, They who despite God’s curle, shall feel its weight.