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Hosea 6:6 For I desired mercy and not sacrifice;
and the knowledge of God more than your burnt offerings.
Bible Chapter Studies
1A0I KINGS CHAPTER 16
I Kings 15 closed with Baasha the third man king—following on the heels of Jeroboam and then his son Nadab—ruling over the ten northern tribes known as the House of Israel, since Father divided the Nation into two separate Nations. While Jehoshaphat--Solomon's great, great-grandson--is the fourth man to rule over the House of Judah, the tribes of Judah and Benjamin. Later joining Judah--because of Jeroboam's fashioning of the two golden calves and his allowing anybody to become a priest,--were the Levites and the Levitical Priesthood, and also many of the people for, they too no longer desired to not be able to serve Father in the manner He prescribed.
Many things happen by the end of this sixteenth chapter which will cause Father to send His Prophet Elijah--though we won't actually be intorduced to him until I Kings 17--to prophesy against the House of Israel, even the prophet’s name will be derived because of the mission on which Father sent him. The name "Elijah" in the Strong’s Concordance is Hebrew word number: H452 - אליּהוּ אליּה, - 'êlı̂yâh or 'êlı̂yâhû, pronounced - ay-lee-yaw', ay-lee-yaw'-hoo, and means: From H410 and H3050; God of Jehovah; Elijah, the name of the famous prophet and of two other Israelites: - Elijah, Eliah.; whereas, the Smith’s Bible Dictionary lists his name meaning, “my God is YHVH.” Anyway, to this point in time since Father divided the House of Israel into two separate nations, every one of the kings of the House of Israel have tried to make everything in the world their gods,--lower case “g”--from the golden calves to sexual organ—phallic—images, to sexual orgies in the groves right there on the Mount of Olives, their god was whatever their mind could conjure up. This immoral nastiness was the very reason Father sent His Prophet, He wanted him to declare the message that "El is YAH," of course, "El" means "God," and "YAH" is a form of Father's sacred name YHVH. There is and are no other god(s). So, in this chapter we will see the further digression of the nation of Israel as man continues to try and play the role of king. By the end of the Chapter the nation is going to get to such a point of degradation that it will set the stage for Father to step in through his prophet Elijah in I Kings 17, and then we'll witness prophecy unfolding and coming to pass very rapidly.
Presently though, concerning the House of Israel, Father had given it to Jeroboam--after Solomon,--and he ruled for 22 years. During his last two years, he was diseased with a long suffering disease, therefore his son Nadab reigned in his stead; but, their time was counted as the same. Jeroboam died of his disease while Baasha came and killed Nadab, and they both died the same year. Baasha is reigning and has done so for the past 22-23 years; but, because of his continuing to cause the Nation to sin in making the People to honor, serve and worship the two golden calves which Jeroboam had made, he too is about to return Home to Father.
Concerning the House of Judah, Jehoshaphat had just taken the reins in verse I Kings 15:24, and we won't read anything further of him again until we come to I Kings 22.
So, with that being said, turn back in time with me to the year 836-835 B.C. in order that we might learn what was going on in the lives of our forefathers.
With that introduction being said, let's go to Father and ask Him for His Blessings on our Study of His Word: Father, we come to you right now to thank you for inviting us to Your table in order that we might be able to receive Your Spiritual Meat, and Father, we ask You, to open our ears and eyes, that we might be able to hear and see your Truths, open our hearts and minds, and prepare us to receive Your Truth. We Pray for Your understanding of Your Word, we seek Your knowledge of Your Word and most importantly Father, we Pray for and desire Your Wisdom from Your Word, in Jesus' Precious name, thank You Father, Amen.
15:25-22:40 ISREAL. (Division.)
15:32-16:7 Baasha.
15:32-16:7 BAASHA. (Introversion.)
16:1-4 Evil-doing. Punished.
1A1
I Kings 16:1 Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu (YHVH (is) He; or, the living) the son of Hanani (pronounced khan-aw-nee')(gracious) against Baasha, saying, -> This Jehu is a prophet of Father as is his father Hanani. Jehu is up with the House of Israel, while Hanani is with the House of Judah.
LORD=This is Father in His role of YHVH, i.e., His role of Covenant maker and keeper.
Jehu=Son of Hanani; a prophet of Judah, but whose ministrations were chiefly directed to Israel. His father was probably the seer who attacked Asa II Chronicles 16:7. He must have begun his career as a prophet when very young. He first denounced Baasha I Kings 16:1,7, and then, after an interval of thirty years, reappeared to denounce Jehoshaphat for his alliance with Ahab II Chronicles 19:2,3. He survived Jehoshaphat and wrote his life II Chronicles 20:34..
Hanani=A seer who rebuked Asa king of Judah II Chronicles 16:7. For this he was imprisoned. ver. 10 He or another Hanani was the father of Jehu the seer, who testified against Baasha I Kings 16:1,7, and Jehoshaphat II Chronicles 19:2; 20:34..
1A2
I Kings 16:2 “Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over My People Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made My People Israel to sin, to provoke Me to anger with their sins; -> Father had laid it on Jehu's heart to go to Baasha in order to tell him that he was angering Father by continuing to cause the House of Israel to sin, and therefore,--as we're about to find out--his offspring will suffer the same fate as the sons of Jeroboam suffered, i.e., those who die within the borders of the city, the dogs will eat the flesh off their bones, and those who die in the country, the fowls of the air will eat the flesh off their bodies.
While Jehu is here with Baasha delivering Father's message to him; his father is with Asa, delivering Father's message to Asa.
1A3
I Kings 16:3 Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam ([the] people will contend; or, whose people are many) the son of Nebat (regard; or, aspect). -> It was Baasha who slew all of Jeroboam's sons; therefore, this should be a frightening revelation to Baasha, enough so that, it ought to cause him to repent to Father and change his ways. Sadly for him and his sons--again I remind you brethren, that the sins of the father do not fall to the son, we each pay for our own sins, that means that, Baasha's sons saw the sons their father was committing and continued following in those sins--they did not heed Father's Prophet who he sent to warn Baasha.
Jeroboam=The first king of the divided kingdom of Israel, was the son of an Ephraimite of the name of Nebat. He was raised by Solomon to the rank of superintendent over the taxes and labors exacted from the tribe of Ephraim I Kings 11:28. He made the most of his position, and at last was perceived by Solomon to be aiming at the monarchy. He was leaving Jerusalem, when he was met by Ahijah the prophet, who gave him the assurance that, on condition of obedience to his laws, God would establish for him a kingdom and dynasty equal to that of David I Kings 11:29-40. The attempts of Solomon to cut short Jeroboam's designs occasioned his flight into Egypt. There he remained until Solomon's death. After a year's longer stay in Egypt, during which Jeroboam married Ano, the elder sister of the Egyptian queen Tahpenes, he returned to Shechem, where took place the conference with Rehoboam [REHOBOAM], and the final revolt which ended in the elevation of Jeroboam to the throne of the northern kingdom. Now occurred the fatal error of his policy. Fearing that the yearly pilgrimages to Jerusalem would undo all the work which he effected, he took the bold step of rending the religious unity of the nation, which was as yet unimpaired, asunder. He caused two golden figures of Mnevis, the sacred calf, to be made and set up at the two extremities of his kingdom, one at Dan and the other at Bethel. It was while dedicating the altar at Bethel that a prophet from Judah suddenly appeared, who denounced the altar, and foretold its desecration by Josiah, and violent overthrow. The king, stretching out his hand to arrest the prophet, felt it withered and paralyzed, and only at the prophet's prayer saw it restored, and acknowledged his divine mission. Jeroboam was at constant war with the house of Judah, but the only act distinctly recorded is a battle with Abijah, son of Rehoboam, in which he was defeated. The calamity was severely felt; he never recovered the blow, and soon after died, in the 22d year of his reign II Chronicles 13:20, and was buried in his ancestral sepulchre I Kings 14:20..
Nebat=The father of Jeroboam I Kings 11:26; 12:2,15; etc., is described as an Ephrathite or Ephraimite of Zereda..
1A4
I Kings 16:4 Him that dieth of Baasha in the city shall the dogs eat; and him that dieth of his in the fields shall the fowls of the air eat.” -> Here Father is divulging to Baasha that his sons are not even going to have a decent burial. Those who die in the streets of the cities the dogs will eat their carcasses; and those that die in the fields, the vultures will eat. Every male of his family is going to be killed. With the death of Jeroboam and his sons, it ended the first dynasty of the house of Israel. Now Father is telling Baasha that his dynasty too will have the same ending as Jeroboam's, it will end in murder also..
Brethren, we need to learn from this, as, if you think our Father is going to play around with those wicked leaders who cause His children to stray into idolatry, you are terribly mistaken. Father is going to hold every one whom He places in authority accountable for their actions of causing His children to fall into sin. God is YHVH, the Almighty Father, and He is going to control people to see that His Will is accomplished. When God says something will come to pass, you can count on it happening exactly as He said it would.
16:5-7 conclusion.
1A5
I Kings 16:5 Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? -> Not long after Father had Jehu tell Baasha what would befall him and his sons, Father called him Home to Him.
Are they not written=Yes, his deeds and doings are recorded in Father's Word, specifically his slaying of Jeroboam and his sons, and his military campaign against Asa. They are recorded in more in the Book of Kings than the Book of Chronicles, but they are indeed recorded.
1A6
I Kings 16:6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah (an oak, strength) his son reigned in his stead. -> When Baasha died, his son Elah buried him in Tirzah, the city which Baasha had made the Capital of the ten northern Tribes of Israel. Baasha is now Home with Father and his son Elah, is going to be the fourth man king to rule over the House of Israel. Elah's reign will be so short and of such insignificance, that he won't even be mentioned in the Book of Chronicles.
Elah=The son and successor of Baasha king of Israel I Kings 16:8-10. His reign lasted for little more than a year; compare verse v16:8 with v16:10. He was killed while drunk, by Zimri, in the house of his steward Azra, who was probably a confederate in the plot..
1A7
I Kings 16:7 And also by the hand of the prophet Jehu the son of Hanani came the word of the LORD against Baasha, and against his house, even for all the evil that he did in the sight of the LORD, in provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands, in being like the house of Jeroboam; and because he killed him. -> It was Baasha's actions, i.e. his causing Israel to continue in their idolatry of honoring, serving, and worshipping false gods, allowing the sodomites which Jeroboam had brought into Israel to remain in the land, and grove worship right there on the Mount of Olives that angered Father to the point that he warned Baasha what would befall he and his sons. Also, though Father had His Prophet Ahijah tell Jeroboam's wife--when she went to see him in order to ask what would be the outcome of their son Abijah, whether he would recover or die?--that all his sons--save Abijah--would not see the grave, because they all would die, and those who did so in the city the dogs would eat, and those who died in the countryside the fowls would eat. Father did not lay it upon Baasha's heart to slay Jeroboam and his sons, that he did of his own accord; therefore, he was now paying for that sin as well.
16:8-14 Elah.
16:8-14 ELAH. (Introversion.)
16:8 Introduction.
1A8
I 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. -> Baasha, who took the reins of the House of Israel in the third year of Asa's reign over the House of Judah, died in Asa's twenty-sixth year; therefore, we know that Baasha reigned over the House of Israel 23-24 years, and now it's time for his son Elah to reign and as this verse says, "two years" is all he'll rule, the same number of years Jeroboam's son Nadab reigned. Why so short of time? Because like his father Baasha, Jeroboam's son and Jeroboam himself, he too committed evil and caused all Israel to continue in their sins against Father.
Elah, whose name means "Oak, or another type of strong tree" is not going to fulfill his namesake as, his family tree is going to be short lived and not very strong at all.
16:9 Zimri. Conspiracy.
1A9
I Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri (musical), captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza (earthiness) steward of his house in Tirzah. -> As Elah was getting drunk with his steward Azra at Azra's house, in walked Zimri, the Captain of the Guard of half his Chariot Forces who had persuaded some of the horsemen who were under him to join in his assault on Elah, and it was by this means that he indeed slew and killed Elah when he was without his armed men and his other Captains. Zimri's slaying of Elah ended the dynasty of the house of Baasha.
Zimri=Fifth sovereign of the separate kingdom of Israel, of which he occupied the throne for the brief period of seven days. Originally in command of half the chariots in the royal army, he gained the crown by the murder of King Elah; son of Baasha. But the army made their general, Omri, king, who marched against Tirzah, where Zimri was. Zimri retreated into the innermost part of the late king's palace, set it on fire, and perished in the ruins I Kings 16:9-20..
Arza=Prefect of the palace at Tirzah to Elah king of Israel, who was assassinated at a banquet in his house by Zimri I Kings 16:9..
16:10 Zimri. Conspiracy.
1A10
I Kings 16:10 And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead. -> It's hard to fight--especially against a well-trained, and probably battle hardened, warrior--when you're too drunk to even stand on your own two feet. Remember also, that Elah's other Captain of the Guard along with the majority of his army, were all busy in the siege of the Philistine city of Gibbethon.
The kings of Israel are starting to drop like flies sprayed with insect repellant. Elah's death occurred in the twenty seventh year of Asa's reign, so, this then dates the year as 833 B.C., and Asa has another seventeen years left in his reign before he too returns Home to Father, which will occur in year 816 B.C..
16:11 Elah. Cut-off.
1A11
I Kings 16:11 And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends. -> Zimri is now king and the very first thing he does is slew all the sons of Baasha. Zimri is acting exactly as Baasha has when he began his reign over the House of Israel, and also like him, though Father had told him that the fate of his sons would be exactly as he had done to Jeroboam's sons, Father never told him to slaw Jeroboam's sons, likewise also Father never told Zimri to kill Baasha's sons, only Zimri didn't stop with just the sons of Baasha, he slew all his and their male relatives and friends too, this he did on his own accord.
So far the House of Israel, beginning with Saul, has now seen Saul--son of Kish--of the Tribe of Benjamin, David--son of Jesse--and his son Solomon of the Tribe of Judah, Jeroboam--son of Nebat--and his son Nadab of the Tribe of Ephraim, Baasha--son of Ahijah--and his son Elah of the Tribe of Issachar, in other words, 7 different men from 4 different tribes rule over the House, and 4 different men from 2 different tribes since the division of the House.
16:12 Zimri. Prophesy.
1A12
I Kings 16:12 Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of the LORD, which He spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet, -> Yes, Father spoke this prophesy; however, like I said a second ago, He never told Zimri to carry this out, it was all of Zimri's own doing. Zimri is the fifth man king to rule over Israel since the division. If we thought Nadab and Elah's reigns of only 2 years were short, we were mistaken as, Zimri will only last a total of 7 days. This is because, when the news of his murdering Elah reaches his other Generals, one of them--Omri--will be made king by his troops, and he'll return with his troops to Tirzah in order to exact revenge upon Zimri's own head; however, when Zimri sees that Omri and the army are now besieging Tirzah, Zimri will flee to his own house and burn it down on top of him. Let's read of it:
16:13 Elah cut-off. Reason.
1A13
I Kings 16:13 For all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, by which they sinned, and by which they made Israel to sin, in provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. -> King after king, they refuse to hear Father and learn; but, instead continue their being disobedient to Father and cause the entire House of remain in their sins of honoring, serving, and worshipping the false gods up in the high places and holding their orgies in the groves with the sodomites.
You have to wonder how they could be so stupid and never come to the knowledge, when they are right there seeing and watching Father become angry and causing the death of another leader of the Nation. King after king he sent a Prophet of His to warn them, and king after king they refused to hear, and therefore, king after king they fall, and still they don't learn. Ignorant, right? No more so than us living in this final Generation today. We have Father's Word to read and learn from, heck even Paul told us his epistles in the New Testament, in I Corinthians 10:11 that all these things happened to them to be examples for us today: I Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. -> But what does our Government--our leaders, just like the leaders of the House of Israel--do today, they too lead us and cause us to continue to remain in our sins as,--today 2014--we are mandated to pay for abortions and give homage and privilege to the sodomites, and are told that our faith in and honoring, serving and worshipping of our Creator Father ELOHIM comes second to our government.
LORD God of Israel=This is Father in His role of YHVH, ELOHIM, in other words, Covenant maker and keeper and Creator of all things.
16:14 Conclusion.
1A14
I Kings 16:14 Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? -> Again, as I stated in my commentary in verse v16:6 above, Elah's reign was so short and of such insignificance, or only revolting, immoral evilness, that he isn't even mentioned in the Book of Chronicles.
16:15-20 Zimri.
16:15-20 ZIMRI. (Introversion.)
16:15 Introduction.
16:15 Zimri. Conspiracy.
1A15
I Kings 16:15 In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah. And the People were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines. -> Only seven days, can you imagine?! I guess the thought of "if you want to be king of Israel, all you have to do is murder the present king" is prevailing. Anyway, I also guess that, had Omri and the army not been encamped over at Gibbethon; but, instead, more close to home, Elah's time on the throne might have been even shorter.
Gibbethon if you'll recall was where Baasha killed Jeroboam's son Nadab, while Israel was trying to wrestle back from the Philistines.
16:16 Zimri. Conspiracy.
16:16 Omri. Elected.
1A16
I Kings 16:16 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. -> The People that were encamped=Father's Word is speaking of Military People here in this verse, not the entire Nation. So, here was Zimri at Tirzah the capital city, declaring himself to be king of Israel; but, the Military People who were in encamped in Gibbethon heard that he had murdered Elah. Therefore, they declared Omri, their Commanding General, king over the Nation instead of Zimri, in order to prevent this continual murdering of kings so a new king can set himself on the throne. So, they pulled up stakes and headed to Tirzah to take Zimri down for the murder which he committed. Leading the charge was their newly appointed king Omri. Sadly, this is just going to lead to more infighting and distractions within the Nation. During this entire time not one single one of them gave any thought of what, or more importantly who Father desired to sit on the throne over His Nation.
Will their thought process better the situation? Let's continue to read and find out.
16:17 Omri. Siege of Tirzah.
1A17
I Kings 16:17 And Omri went up from Gibbethon, and all Israel with him, and they besieged Tirzah. -> Military People will not stand for treason,--at least not at this time, unlike our current Military Personnel today, who thought they swear their allegiance to defending the Constitution of the United States, we have a man currently occupying the Office of President who discards, shreds and stamps upon our Constitution on a daily basis, and our Military personnel do nothing about it--therefore they as a force go to Tirzah to de-throne Zimri and set Omri in his place.
16:18 Zimri. Suicide.
1A18
I Kings 16:18 And it came to pass, when Zimri saw that the city was taken, that he went into the palace of the king's house, and burnt the king's house over him with fire, and died, -> Zimri was living the life of a king, he was pleased with himself, and he was even happy to see that his army had returned from the laying siege to Gibbethon, happy that is until, he saw that yeah, his army was back from Gibbethon; however, they were none too pleased with his murdering king Elah, and therefore had surrounded and captured Tirzah in order to remove him as king. What does Zimri then do? Like a coward that he was, he runs to the royal palace, barricades himself in, and then sets the palace on fire with him inside, burning it to the ground while at the same time committing suicide, thus putting an end to the third dynasty to rule over the House of Israel since Father divided the Nation.
16:19 Zimri. Suicide.
1A19
I Kings 16:19 For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin. -> For his sins=Brethren, this wasn't just for his sin of murdering king Elah, nor was it just for the sins which he committed during his seven day reign over Israel. This was for all his sins which he committed during his life time which he never repented of; and, for his--like kings Solomon, Jeroboam, Nadab, Baasha and Elah before him--continuing the tradition of causing all Israel to sin, leading them in idolatrous worship, and by causing them to worship in the groves with the sodomites at the high places, and also the golden calves which Jeroboam had fashioned.
Brethren, this should also focus your attention to the fact that, when you take on a role of serving Father in whichever capacity He has you in, you have the duty and you had better know in your mind, that Father is going to hold you accountable and responsible for what you do when you are in that position. It may be man's own man-made system; however, if you claim to a Teacher of Father’s Word, then you very well better be doing just that: Teaching from His Word as, He will hold you to that task, no matter what those in charge say about it. Sadly, today, many churches would rather just teach their tradition than what is written in Father's Word. However, if you also do this, then don't claim it to be of our Father; but, of your church system. It cannot be both ways brethren, you are either a teacher of Father's Word, or you are a hireling, and just teaching for personal favors. Sticking to Teaching Father's Word and shunning man’s tradition can bring wonderful personal blessings.
16:20 Conclusion.
1A20
I Kings 16:20 Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he wrought, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? -> Like Elah whom Zimri murdered, Zimri's time on the throne and his acts are of such insignificance, or only evil, that he isn't even mentioned in the Book of Chronicles. Remember also brethren, that the Book of kings is written from man's--or the fleshly--perspective; whereas, the Book of Chronicles is written from Father's--or the Spiritual--perspective, this ten tells us that Father didn't even consider Zimri worth mentioning.
Changes are coming to Israel, and they aren't for the better. Like as when Solomon was king and Father told him He was dividing the Nation when he returned Home to Him, He is about to again divide the Nation--or House--of Israel into two separate and distinct Nations.
Interregnum 16:21.
16:21 INTERREGUNEM. (Division.)
16:21 People. Division for Tibni.
1A21
I Kings 16:21 Then were the People of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni (strawy; or, intelligent) the son of Ginath (pronounced ghee-nath')(protection), to make him king; and half followed Omri (heaping; or, pupil of YHVH). -> For reasons not stated in Father's Word, after Omri and the Military overthrew Zimri, many of the People then wanted Tibni to rule over them and not Omri. Therefore the Nation was further divided, and it won't be long before hostilities break-out between the two sects. So, now we not only have Judah divided from Israel; but, even Israel is divided into two parts.
Brethren, as I mentioned a moment ago, Father's Word doesn't state why half the people wanted Tibni to rule over them. It could be as simple as, some of the people not wanting a Military person ruling them, or it could be much more complex than that. It is my supposition--though I cannot in any way, shape, or form prove, nor back up with Father's Word--that Tibni very well may have been a kenite, and his kenite friends wanted him to rule as king. Why would I state this? Well let's look at the origin of his father's name, in the Strong's Concordance, it is Hebrew word number: H1527 - גּינת, - gı̂ynath, - pronounced - ghee-nath', and means: Of uncertain derivation; Ginath, an Israelite: - Ginath., in other words, they cannot even prove lineage. Who or why would one want ones lineage concealed? Tibni isn't mentioned in the Book of Chronicles, that tells me that Father didn't feel he was worth mentioning either and that very well could be for a reason; heck, as we'll discover in a second, even his death or the manner in which he dies isn't recorded.
Tibni=After Zimri had burnt himself in his palace, there was a division in the northern kingdom, half of the people following Tibni the son of Ginath, and half following Omri I Kings 16:21,22. Omri was the choice of the army Tibni was probably put forward by the people of Tirzah, which was then besieged by Omri and his host. The struggle between the contending factions lasted four years, compare I Kings 16:16,23, when-Tibni died..
Ginath=Father of Tibni I Kings 16:21,22..
Omri=Originally "captain of the host" to Elah, was afterward himself king of Israel, and founder of the third dynasty. Omri was engaged in the siege of Gibbethon situated in the tribe of Dan, which had been occupied by the Philistines. As soon as the army heard of Elah's death they proclaimed Omri king. Thereupon he broke up the siege of Gibbethon and attacked Tirzah, where Zimri was holding his court as king of Israel. The city was taken, and Zimri perished in the flames of the palace, after a reign of seven days. Omri, however, was not allowed to establish his dynasty without a struggle against Tibni, whom "half the people" I Kings 16:21, desired to raise to the throne. The civil war lasted four years, compare I Kings 16:15 with I Kings 16:23. After the defeat sad death of Tibni, Omri reigned for six years in Tirzah. At Samaria Omri reigned for six years more. He seems to have been a vigorous and unscrupulous ruler, anxious to strengthen his dynasty by intercourse and alliances with foreign states..
Interregnum 16:22.
16:22 INTERREGUNEM. (Division.)
16:22 People. Prevalence for Omri.
1A22
I Kings 16:22 But the People that followed Omri prevailed against the People that followed Tibni the son of Ginath: so Tibni died, and Omri reigned. -> Some scholars say that this conflict between Omri and Tibni lasted approximately 4 years until which time Omri and his army overcame Tibni and his kenite friends. Again, we see that Tibni has died; however, it isn't recorded in Father's Word how he died, or what actually caused his death, most likely though, he died from sustaining a wound during battle. But, somebody didn't want it recorded.
16:23-28 Omri.
16:23-28 OMRI. (Introversion.)
16:23 Introduction.
1A23
I Kings 16:23 In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: (six years reigned he in Tirzah.) -> Anyway, Omri was king over the House of Israel for a total of 12 years. As we'll read in a moment, he reigned in the Capital of Tirzah--where Zimri had burned the palace on top of him--for six years, obviously not living in a royal palace, and then moving and making the new Capital city Samaria.
Twelve=In Biblical Numerics, 12 denotes "Governmental perfection. It is the number of factor of all numbers connected with government: whether by Tribes or Apostles, or in measurements of time, or in things which have to do with government in the heavens and the earth.," which is exactly the opposite of how Omri reigned, as, as his time on the throne grew, so did the evilness which he committed.
Thirty and first year of Asa=Remember, Asa reigned for a total of 41 years, so, that means, he has only another ten years until he returns Home to Father. Let's break this down a little further: Omri reigned for 12 years,--from 833-821 B.C.--and yet, as we'll read when we come to verse v16:29 below, Ahab will begin his reign over the House of Israel in the 38th year of Asa's reign. So, in all actuality, Omri began to reign de jure when he slew Zimri in the 27th years of Asa; but, only de facto on the death of Tibni the usurper. Also, Omri's reign in Tirzah began in Asa's 31st year and ended in his 38th.
16:24 Events. Building Samaria.
1A24
I Kings 16:24 And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer (preserved) for two talents of Silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria. -> After finally defeating Tibni and his little uprising, Omri decided it was time to move the Capital city, so he bought a parcel of property called "the hill of Samaria of Shemer," named after the man from whom he had purchased it. Josephus notes that "the city was called also Semareon; but, named by the Greeks Samaria; but he himself called it Semareon, from Shemer, who sold him the mountain whereon he built it.". Samaria will remain the Capital of the ten tribes to the north until the time that they go into captivity to the Assyrians, and is also mentioned in many verses in the New Testament.
Talents of silver=Hebrew word number: H3603 - כּכר, - kikâr, pronounced - kik-kawr': Weight = 3,000 shekels of the sanctuary (Exodus 38:25,26). Talent of the king = 158 lb. Troy. Talent of gold = 131 lb. Troy. About $290.85. Talent of silver = 117 lb. Troy..
Shemer=The owner of the hill on which the city of Samaria was built I Kings 16:24 [SAMARIA]..
16:25 Events. Evil-doing.
1A25
I Kings 16:25 But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. -> Omri really wasn't any different from any of the kings who reigned before him; however, with that being said, sadly, he did grow worse than each of those who reigned before him. They had all sought how they might turn the people away from Father with their daily wicked practices; and because of this, it was Father Who made each of them to be murdered by another, and therefore, none would have a several generational dynasty. Omri will die in Samaria and his son Ahab will succeeded him on the throne, and if we thought Omri was bad; we haven't seen anything as, his son Ahab is far and above much worse that his father ever thought to be, and that is pretty bad considering that when this verse says that Omri did worse that all that were before him, that means he did worse than all the cumulative evil and wicked acts of the kings before him.
16:26 Events. Evil-doing.
1A26
I Kings 16:26 For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. -> Like as how Jeroboam has set the altars in Beth-el and Dan, and caused all the People to go to those two locations to worship the golden calves he had set there for them to worship, Omri also caused the People to worship them and he too continued all the other idolatrous practices of grove worship on the Mount of Olives with the sodomites, baal worship, worship of molech etc..
16:27 Conclusion.
1A27
I Kings 16:27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? -> Omri's reign, like Zimri's and Elah's before his, is of such insignificance that Father never mentions what acts he did in the Book of Chronicles; however, they are written in the annals of the kings.
There are many historical records documenting some of the acts concerning Omri which are not written in Father's Word; things such as his wars against the Moabites and how he defeated them and put them to tribute.
16:28 Conclusion.
1A28
I Kings 16:28 So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab (brother (that is, friend) of (his) father; or, uncle) his son reigned in his stead. -> Omri, obviously Israel's worse king to this point has now died and returned Home to Father, his body was buried in the city which he had made the new Capital of Israel, and now his son Ahab is taking over a king of the ten northern tribes of Israel. Will things get better? No, as I said in my commentary to verse v16:26 above, Ahab is one of Israel's worst kings ever.
Ahab=Son of Omri, seventh king of Israel. He married Jezebel, daughter of Ethbaal king of Tyre; and in obedience to her wishes, caused temple to be built to Baal in Samaria itself; and an oracular grove to be consecrated to Astarte, see I Kings 18:19. One of Ahab's chief tastes was for splendid architecture which he showed by building an ivory house and several cities. Desiring to add to his pleasure-grounds at Jezreel the vineyard of his neighbor Naboth, he proposed to buy it or give land in exchange for it; and when this was refused by Naboth in accordance with the Levitical law Leviticus 25:23, a false accusation of blasphemy was brought against him, and he was murdered, and Ahab took possession of the coveted fields II Kings 9:26. Thereupon Elijah declared that the entire extirpation of Ahab's house was the penalty appointed for his long course of wickedness. [ELIJAH ] The execution, however, of the sentence was delayed in consequence of Ahab's deep repentance I Kings 21:1. ... Ahab undertook three campaigns against Ben-hadad II. king of Damascus, two defensive and one offensive. In the first Ben-hadad laid siege to Samaria, but was repulsed with great loss I Kings 20:1-21. Next year Ben-hadad again invaded Israel by way of Aphek, on the east of Jordan; yet Ahab's victory was so complete that Ben-hadad himself fell into his hands, but was released contrary to God's will I kings 20:22-34, on condition of restoring the cities of Israel, and admitting Hebrew commissioners into Damascus. After this great success Ahab enjoyed peace for three years, when he attacked Ramoth in Gilead, on the east of Jordan, in conjunction with Jehoshaphat king of Judah, which town he claimed as belonging to Israel. Being told by the prophet Micaiah that he would fall, he disguised himself, but was slain by "a certain man who drew a bow at a venture." When buried in Samaria, the dogs licked up his blood as a servant was washing his chariot; a partial fulfillment of Elijah's prediction I Kings 21:19, which was more literally accomplished in the case of his son II Kings 9:26..
16:29-22:40 Ahab.
16:29-22:40 AHAB. (Introversion and Alternation.)
16:29 Introduction.
16:29-33 Personal evil. Idolatry.
16:29 Ahab. Length of reign.
1A29
I Kings 16:29 And in the thirty and eighth year of Asa 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. -> Thirty and eighth year=Asa only has another three years before he too dies and returns Home to Father; but, he and Ahab will rule the two houses at the same time, for three years anyway.
Twenty two=The number 22 in Biblical numerics denotes disorganization and disintegration (2 X 11=22), and is associated with the worst two reigns: Jeroboam in I Kings 14, and Ahab beginning here in I Kings 16:29. Sure enough, under Ahab the Nation of Israel will fall into disarray, disorganization and disintegration.
16:30 Personal evil.
1A30
I Kings 16:30 And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. -> When Ahab inherits the throne from his father Omri, it begins a new chapter in Israel's history, and it isn't a good one as, there'll be no other king in the history of Israel who'll come close to causing the evil, vile, and wickedness which Ahab causes the House of Israel to fall into. Under Ahab and the wife his is about to marry, the worship of Father YHVH will be outlawed in favor of the worship of baal and every other false god and idol they can set their hearts to serve. This by far, is the lowest of times for Israel, and it's a wonder Father didn't just wipe out the Nation right then; but, alas, Father does have a plan and His plans always come to pass exactly as He wants them to, and when He wants them to.
16:31 Personal evil.
1A31
I Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel (pronounced ee-zeh'-bel)(chaste) the daughter of Ethbaal (with baal) king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. -> Ahab watched and participated in all the evilness that his father caused Israel to commit; therefore, as this verse states, "as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam" is very precise. To Ahab, it truly was a light thing to continue to do what Jeroboam had started, and then Baasha, Elah and even his own father continued. Remember, to this point, there hasn't been one "good; or, righteous" king of Israel, only evil kings; so the Nation only knows how be immoral and unjust.
Jezebel=Jezebel's father, ethbaal whose name means "with baal" was a baal priest and it is for this reason she introduces baal worship in the House of Israel. Ahab and Jezebel's time is only beginning; however, it won't be too long before they'll completely turn the nation away from Father and before her death she have over 400 baal priests and 450 baal prophets in the land. This truly is one evil wicked woman, and it is sad that our forefathers allowed this to take place in Father's most favorite location in all His Created Universe. Her name according to the Smith's Bible Dictionary--as I already pointed out in the verse--means "chaste," and on a Spiritual level, she was anything but chaste. She alone will be responsible for the murdering of many of Father's Prophets.
Dr. Bullinger states that Josephus wrote that Jezebel's father ethbaal killed his brother the king--thus making him both a regicide and a fratricide--in order to ascend to his position as king of Tyre, and that he was also a priest of the Phoenician goddess of fertility: astarte.
Jezebel=Wife of Ahab king of Israel. She was a Phoenician princess, daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians. In her hands her husband became a mere puppet I Kings 21:25. The first effect of her influence was the immediate establishment of the Phoenician worship on a grand scale in the court of Ahab. At her table were supported no less than 450 prophets of Baal and 400 of Eastward I Kings 16:31,21; 18:19. The prophets of Jehovah were attacked by her orders and put to the sword I Kings 18:13; II Kings 9:7. At last the people, at the instigation of Elijah, rose against her ministers and slaughtered them at the foot of Carmel. When she found her husband east down by his disappointment at being thwarted by Naboth I Kings 21:7, she wrote a warrant in Ahab's name, and sealed it with his seal. To her, and not to Ahab, was sent the announcement that the royal wishes were accomplished I Kings 21:14, and on her accordingly fell the prophet's curse, as well as on her husband I Kings 21:23, a curse fulfilled so literally by Jehu, whose chariot-horses trampled out her life. The body was left in that open space called in modern eastern language "the mounds," where offal is thrown from the city walls II Kings 9:30-37..
Ethbaal=King of Sidon and father of Jezebel I Kings 16:31. Josephus represents him as a king of the Tyrians as well as of the Sidonians. We may thus identify him with Eithobalus, who, after having assassinated Pheles, usurped the throne of Tyre for thirty-two years..
Zidonians=The inhabitants of Zidon. They were among the nations of Canaan; left to give the Israelites practice in the art of war Judges 3:3, and colonies of them appear to have spread up into the hill country from Lebanon to Misrephothmaim Joshua 13:4,6, whence in later times they hewed cedar trees for David and Solomon I Chronicles 22:4. They oppressed the Israelites on their first entrance into the country Judges 10:12, and appear to have lived a luxurious, reckless life Judges 18:7. They were skillful in hewing timber I Kings 5:8, and were employed for this purpose by Solomon. They were idolaters, and worshipped Ashtoreth as their tutelary goddess I Kings 11:5,33; II Kings 23:13, as well as the sun-god Baal from whom their king was named I Kings 16:31..
baal=The supreme male divinity of the Phoenician and Canaanitish nations, as Ashtoreth was their supreme female divinity. Some suppose Baal to correspond to the sun and Ashtoreth to the moon; others that Baal was Jupiter and Ashtoreth Venus. There can be no doubt of the very high antiquity of the worship of Baal. It prevailed in the time of Moses among the Moabites and Midianites Numbers 22:41, and through them spread to the Israelites Numbers 25:3-18; Deuteronomy 4:3. In the times of the kings it became the religion of the court and people of the ten tribes I Kings 16:31-33; 18:19,22, and appears never to have been permanently abolished among them II Kings 17:16. Temples were erected to Baal in Judah I Kings 16:32, and he was worshipped with much ceremony I Kings 18:19,26-28; II Kings 10:22. The attractiveness of this worship to the Jews undoubtedly grew out of its licentious character. We find this worship also in Phoenician colonies. The religion of the ancient British islands much resembled this ancient worship of Baal, and may have been derived from it. Nor need we hesitate to regard the Babylonian Bel Isaiah 46:1, or Beaus, as essentially identical with Baal, though perhaps under some modified form. The plural, BAALIM , is found frequently, showing that he was probably worshipped under different compounds, among which appear: BAAL-BERITH (the covenant Baal ) Judges 8:33; 9:4, the god who comes into covenant with the worshippers; BAAL-ZEBUB (lord of the fly ), and worshipped at Ekron II Kings 1:2,3,16; BAAL-HANAN. a. The name of one of the early kings of Edom Genesis 36:38,39; I Chronicles 1:49,50. b. The name of one of David's officers, who had the superintendence of his olive and sycamore plantations I Chronicles 27:28; BAAL-PEOR (lord of the opening , i.e. for others to join in the worship). We have already referred to the worship of this god. The narrative (Numbers 25) seems clearly to show that this form of Baal-worship was connected with licentious rites..
16:32 Public evil.
1A32
I Kings 16:32 And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. -> Right there on the Mount of Olives did Ahab construct and build an altar to baal for his wife to worship at, and cause all the People to also come and worship at. Of course, as we are still over 800 years before the birth of our LORD Jesus Christ, they have no idea of the significance of the Mount of Olives; however, at least Ahab should have known better for, he should have known Father and also known His Commandments, Judgments, Laws, Ordinances, and Statutes, he was after all supposed to have written his own copy of Father's Laws, and he therefore should have honored, served, and worshipped Him only. But, no, like many of the kurch houses today, they cannot be satisfied with honoring, serving, and worshipping Father only, they like Ahab and many of our forefathers before them, have to introduce "a new thing" in order to try and "fill the offering plate," and to try and make Father seem interesting, as if His Word isn't already exciting, interesting, and vivacious enough.
16:33 Public evil.
16:33 Ahab. Character of reign.
1A33
I Kings 16:33 And Ahab made a grove (asherah); and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. -> He set up an altar, and is now making groves, you know what's coming next brethren: more sodomites,--and all the other forms of idolatry, filth and immorality--as if his father and the other kings before him had not already brought in enough.
As it happened during Ahab’s reign, it is happening today. In His time, Father is going to make both Ahab, and his wicked wife Jezebel pay for their evil deeds. He will balance the scales of life, and even in death, there is going to be a recognizing for all the wickedness done in this Flesh Age by every one of His Children. There are no hidden mysteries with Father, and nobody gets away with anything. Likewise also, there are no unsolved cases in heaven, and what you thought you may have gotten away with in the flesh under the noses of our earthly judges, Father will be the Judge Who makes the final decision, and you can neither bluff, nor hide anything from Him. There are no payoffs, no bribes, and definitely no bargaining before the Judgment Seat of Father. Those sins which have been repented of, are all blotted out; however, those sins not repented of, you will be judged on. The wages of all sin is death;--this doesn’t mean Father is out to “zap” any of His Children, because He is not—but, the gift which Father gives, is eternal life. There is both Judgment and Rewards in Heaven, and it is you–not Father—who determines—by your actions—which you will receive.
During Ahab and Jezebel's life and in their kingdom there was no repentance for any sin, and all who habitually sinned will pay a dear price for their lack of repentance and asking Father for His forgiveness. Father's Word tells us how we should walk, and in Ahab's kingdom, the command was that no one was to walk in the righteousness of Father's ways. A teacher of Father's Word has only one responsibility, and that is to teach His Word as it is written in the manuscripts, to the best of our ability. For all who desire to disregard His Word, it is at that persons own choice. He or she than choses the direction for their own life, and only they will account for their actions. Then, if they are cast into the Lake of Fire at the end of Jesus’ 1,000 year Millennial Reign, it is by their own choice.
The second greatest of all sin is to be led astray in the great apostasy, to follow satan—in his role of pretend-to-be-jesus, anti-christ—upon his arrival at the end of this Flesh Age, when are deceived into believing that he the true Christ. To fall during the time of Ahab and Jezebel will not be nearly as bad as worshipping satan at the end of our generation. Father has forewarned us in His Word, and He expects us to know the signs of our times, and be on watch for them. That falling away, or apostasy is what is given in II Thessalonians 2:1-7, and it will come to pass exactly as it is written. This is why the deception of the rapture doctrine is so critical, because it puts our Christian brothers and sisters asleep spiritually, to the point where they do not Study to put on the whole armor of God. They will not be able to stand against the wiles of satan and his army of fallen angels at their coming at the sixth trump. Their troubles are not for just this short time here on earth, but for an entire eternity. Are you ready to stand on that day with the truth of the plan of God sealed in your mind; or, are you relying on some man-made fair-tale.
Groves=In the Strong's Concordance this is Hebrew word number: H842 - אשׁירה אשׁרה, 'ăshêrâh or 'ăshêyrâh, pronounced - ash-ay-raw', ash-ay-raw', and means: From H833; happy; asherah (or Astarte) a Phoenician goddess; also an image of the same: - grove. Compare H6253., as this details we also need to compare this with H6253 - עשׁתּרת, - ‛ashtôreth, pronounced - ash-to'-reth, and means: Probably for H6251; Ashtoreth, the Phoenician goddess of love (and increase): - Ashtoreth., and if they were worshipping asherah the goddess of fertility, you know they were also worshipping the goddess of love ashtoreth. Dr. Bullinger has an excellent study on this heinous worship practice in his Companion Bible, you'll find it in Appendix 42. I'll throw in one quote from it "Like every form of "religion," it had to do with the "flesh;" and hence, by the law of evolution (which is seen operating only in human affairs) it soon became corrupted. Evolution is seen in the progress of man's works, because he begins from ignorance, and goes on learning by his mistakes and failures. From the moment he ends his works devolution at once sets in and deterioration begins. This is specially true in the "religious" sphere. All religions have become corrupt.," as, this assists us in understanding man's religion and the atheists worship of evil-oution today.
16:34-20:43 Public events. War with Syria.
16:34-20:43 PUBLIC EVENTS (Division.)
16:34 The rebuilding of Jericho.
1A34
I Kings 16:34 In his days did Hiel (pronounced khee-ale')(living of YAH; or, YAH liveth) the Beth-elite (this is just someone who is from Beth-el) build Jericho (its month; or else from H7306; fragrant; or, place of fragrance): he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram (father of height [that is, lofty]) his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub (aloft; or, elevated), according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua (YHVH-saved; Jehoshua (that is, Joshua), the Jewish leader: - Jehoshua, Jehoshuah, Joshua) the son of Nun (perpetuity; or, fish, or posterity). -> Hiel didn't build Jericho as, Jericho has been around for hundreds, if not, thousands of years;--you'll recall that we read in Joshua 6, that Israel took the city and utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword--therefore, what this is telling us is that Hiel, strengthened what has already been partially restored, and made it a fortified city of Israel. This may sound like it's a good thing; or, that there isn't anything wrong with his rebuilding the city; however, we also read in the Book of Joshua, that, cursed be the man who rebuilds Jericho: Joshua 6:26 And Joshua adjured them at that time, saying, "Cursed be the man before the LORD, that riseth up and buildeth this city Jericho: he shall lay the foundation thereof in his firstborn, and in his youngest son shall he set up the gates of it." -> Hiel is setting himself and his offspring up for a serious cursing--and I don't mean, Father will be using foul language-- from Father. Again brethren, what do we see in this verse being at the end of this Chapter? That Father’s Word always comes to pass exactly as it is written; see, when Joshua and the House of Israel were first entering into the Promised Land, the walls of Jericho had to come down before the children of Israel could come in and claim the land. Father brought the walls of Jericho down because of the obedience of Joshua and his army. So, when Jericho fell, Joshua then stated the prophecy of Joshua 6:26. Joshua is saying that, the person who revives and rebuilds this city of Jericho would lose his first born son; so, in other words, he stated a prophesy that they would surely die, and they did. This is to let us know that what is about to happen is of divine intervention by God. When one of Father’s Prophets states something that Father has revealed to him, that prophecy will then happen exactly as foretold.
Hiel=A native of Bethel, who rebuilt Jericho in the reign of Ahab I Kings 16:34, and in whom was fulfilled the curse pronounced by Joshua Joshua 6:26, five hundred years before..
Beth-elite=A designation of Hiel, who rebuilt Jericho and experienced the curse pronounced long before I Kings 16:34..
Jericho=A city of high antiquity, situated in a plain traversed by the Jordan, and exactly over against where that river was crossed by the Israelites under Joshua Joshua 3:16. It was five miles west of the Jordan and seven miles northwest of the Dead Sea. It had a king. Its walls were so considerable that houses were built upon them Joshua 2:15. The spoil that was found in it betokened its affluence. Jericho is first mentioned as the city to which the two spies were sent by Joshua from Shittim Joshua 2:1-21. It was bestowed by him upon the tribe of Benjamin Joshua 18:21, and from this time a long interval elapses before Jericho appears again upon the scene. Its second foundation under Hiel the Bethelite is recorded in I Kings 16:34. Once rebuilt, Jericho rose again slowly into consequence. In its immediate vicinity the sons of the prophets sought retirement from the world; Elisha "healed the spring of the waters;" and over against it, beyond Jordan, Elijah "went up by a whirlwind into heaven" II Kings 2:1-21. In its plains Zedekiah fell into the hands of the Chaldeans II Kings 25:5; Jeremiah 39:5. In the return under Zerubbabel the "children of Jericho," 345 in number, are comprised Ezra 2:34; Nehemiah 7:36. Under Herod the Great it again became an important place. He fortified it and built a number of new palaces, which he named after his friends. If he did not make Jericho his habitual residence, he at last retired thither to die, and it was in the amphitheater of Jericho that the news of his death was announced to the assembled soldiers and people by Salome. Soon afterward the palace was burnt and the town plundered by one Simon, slave to Herod; but Archelaus rebuilt the former sumptuously, and founded a new town on the plain, that bore his own name; and, most important of all, diverted water from a village called Neaera to irrigate the plain which he had planted with palms. Thus Jericho was once more "a city of palms" when our Lord visited it. Here he restored sight to the blind Matthew 20:30; Mark 10:46; Luke 18:35. Here the descendant of Rahab did not disdain the hospitality of Zaccaeus the publican. Finally, between Jerusalem and Jericho was laid the scene of his story of the good Samaritan. The city was destroyed by Vespasian. The site of ancient (the first) Jericho is placed by Dr. Robinson in the immediate neighborhood of the fountain of Elisha; and that of the second (the city of the New Testament and of Josephus) at the opening of the Wady Kelt (Cherith), half an hour from the fountain. (The village identified with jericho lies a mile and a half from the ancient site, and is called Riha . It contains probably 200 inhabitants, indolent and licentious and about 40 houses. Dr. Olin says it is the "meanest and foulest village of Palestine;" yet the soil of the plain is of unsurpassed fertility. --ED.).
Abiram=Eldest son of Hiel the beth-elite, who died when his father laid the foundations of Jericho I kings 16:34, and thus accomplished the first part of the curse of Joshua Joshua 6:26..
Segub=The youngest son of Hiel the Hethelite who rebuilt Jericho I Kings 18:34..
Joshua=([saviour, or whose help is Jehovah]. His name appears in the various forms of HOSHEA, OSHEA, JEHOSHUA, JESHUA and JESUS). The son of Nun, of the tribe of Ephraim I Chronicles 7:27. He was nearly forty years old when he shared in the hurried triumph of the exodus. He is mentioned first in connection with the fight against Amalek at Rephidim, when he was chosen by Moses to lead the Israelites Exodus 17:9. Soon afterward he was one of the twelve chiefs who were sent Numbers 13:17, to explore the land of Canaan, and one of the two Numbers 14:6, who gave an encouraging report of their journey. Moses, shortly before his death, was directed Numbers 27:18, to invest Joshua with authority over the people. God himself gave Joshua a charge by the mouth of the dying lawgiver Deuteronomy 31:14,23. Under the direction of God again renewed Joshua 1:1, Joshua assumed the command of the people at Shittim, sent spies into Jericho, crossed the Jordan, fortified a camp at Gilgal, circumcised the people, kept the passover, and was visited by the Captain of the Lord's host. A miracle made the fall of Jericho more terrible to the Canaanites. In the great battle of Beth-horon the Amorites were signally routed, and the south country was open to the Israelites. Joshua returned to the camp at Gilgal, master of half of Palestine. He defeated the Canaanites under Jabin king of Hazor. In six years, six tribes, with thirty-one petty chiefs, were conquered. Joshua, now stricken in years, proceeded to make the division of the conquered land. Timnath-serah in Mount Ephraim was assigned as Joshua's peculiar inheritance. After an interval of rest, Joshua convoked an assembly from all Israel. He delivered two solemn addresses, recorded in Joshua 23:24. He died at the age of 110 years, and was buried in his own city, Timnath-serah..
Nun=The father of the Jewish captain Joshua Exodus 33:11; etc.. His genealogical descent from Ephraim is recorded in I Chronicles 7:1..
Nov 2014
This Bible Study was written by Scott Reis and is provided in order to be used as a private Bible Study Tool. Therefore, it may be copied in whole or in part and shared for private Bible Study; however, it may not be reproduced and published as an original work.
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