I Kings 16
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Commentaries
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Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu - Of this prophet we know nothing but from this circumstance. It appears from Ch2 16:7-10, that his father Hanani was also a prophet, and suffered imprisonment in consequence of the faithful discharge of his ministry to Asa.
Open source ↗JEHU'S PROPHECY AGAINST BAASHA. (Kg1 16:1-8) Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu--This is the only incident recorded in the life of this prophet. His father was also a prophet (Ch2 16:7).
Open source ↗Then the word of the Lord came to Jehu the son of Hanani,.... The seer that reproved Asa, Ch2 16:7, so that this man was the son of a prophet then living, and was a young man; for we hear of him several years after reproving Jehoshaphat, Ch2 19:2, and as a writer of history, Ch2 20:34, the prophecy that came to him from the Lord was against Baasha; king of Israel: saying; as follows.
Open source ↗Kg1 16:7 adds a supplementary remark concerning the words of Jehu (Kg1 16:2.), not to preclude an excuse that might be made, in which case וגם would have to be taken in the sense of nevertheless, or notwithstanding (Ewald, 354, a.), but to guard against a misinterpretation by adding a new feature, or rather to preclude an erroneous inference that might be drawn from the words, "I (Jehovah) have made thee prince" (Kg1 16:2), as through Baasha had exterminated Nadab and his house by divine command (Thenius). וגם simply means "and also," and is not to be connected specially with יהוּא בּיד, but to be taken as belonging to the whole sentence: "also the word of Jehovah had come to Baasha through Jehu, ... not only because of the evil, etc., but also (ועל...ועל) because he had slain him (Jeroboam)." With regard to this last reason, we must call to mind the remark made at Kg1 11:39, viz., that the prediction of the prophet to Baasha gave him no right to put himself forward arbitrarily as the fulfiller of the prophecy. The very fact that Baasha continued Jeroboam's sin and caused the illegal worship to be perpetuated, showed clearly enough that in exterminating the family of Jeroboam he did not act under divine direction, but simply pursued his own selfish ends.
Open source ↗Here is, I. The ruin of the family of Baasha foretold. He was a man likely enough to have raised and established his family - active, politic, and daring; but he was an idolater, and this brought destruction upon his family. 1. God sent him warning of it before. (1.) That, if he were thereby wrought upon to repent and reform, the ruin might be prevented; for God threatens, that he may not strike, as one that desires not the death of sinners. (2.) That, if not, it might appear that the destruction when it did come, whoever might be instruments of it, was the act of God's justice and the punishment of sin. 2. The warning was sent by Jehu the son of Hanani. The father was a seer, or prophet, at the same time (Ch2 16:7), and was sent to Asa king of Judah; but the son, who was young and more active, was sent on this longer and more dangerous expedition to Baasha king of Israel. Juniores ad labores - Toil and adventure are for the young. This Jehu was a prophet and the son of a prophet. Prophecy, thus happily entailed, was worthy of so much the more honour. This Jehu continued long in his usefulness, for we find him reproving Jehoshaphat (Ch2 19:2) above forty years after, and writing the annals of that prince, Ch2 20:34. The message which this prophet brought to Baasha is much the same with that which Ahijah sent to Jeroboam by his wife. (1.) He reminds Baasha of the great things God had done for him (Kg1 16:2): I exalted thee out of the dust to the throne of glory, a great instance of the divine sovereignty and power, Sa1 2:8. Baasha seemed to have raised himself by his own treachery and cruelty, yet there was a hand of Providence in it, to bring about God's counsel, concerning Jeroboam's house; and God's owning his advancement as his act and deed does by no means amount to…
Open source ↗16:1 Like his father Hanani, whom Asa had imprisoned (2 Chr 16:10), Jehu was a prophet. Also like his father, Jehu would fearlessly deliver the Lord’s message anywhere, even if it meant confronting the king.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֲנָנִי (Chănânîy, H2607) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗רוּם (rûwm, H7311) — to be high actively, to rise or raise (in various applications, literally or figuratively) עָפָר (ʻâphâr, H6083) — dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) נָגִיד (nâgîyd, H5057) — a commander (as occupying the front), civil, military or religious; generally… עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3707) — to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or…
Open source ↗בָּעַר (bâʻar, H1197) — to kindle, i.e. consume (by fire or by eating); to be(-come) brutish אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) יָרׇבְעָם (Yârobʻâm, H3379) — Jarobam, the name of two Israelite kings בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נְבָט (Nᵉbâṭ, H5028) — Nebat, the father of Jeroboam I
Open source ↗מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… כֶּלֶב (keleb, H3611) — a dog; hence (by euphemism) a male prostitute אָכַל (ʼâkal, H398) — to eat (literally or figuratively) שָׂדֶה (sâdeh, H7704) — a field (as flat) עוֹף (ʻôwph, H5775) — a bird (as covered with feathers, or rather as covering with wings), often collectively שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds…
Open source ↗יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application גְּבוּרָה (gᵉbûwrâh, H1369) — force (literally or figuratively); by implication, valor, victory כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel שָׁכַב (shâkab, H7901) — to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh, H8656) — Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חֲנָנִי (Chănânîy, H2607) — Chanani, the name of six Israelites דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) רַע (raʻ, H7451) — bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3707) — to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant מַעֲשֶׂה (maʻăseh, H4639) — an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication,…
Open source ↗עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth אָסָא (ʼÂçâʼ, H609) — Asa, the name of a king and of a Levite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh, H8656) — Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess
Open source ↗עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant זִמְרִי (Zimrîy, H2174) — Zimri, the name of five Israelites, and of an Arabian tribe שַׂר (sar, H8269) — a head person (of any rank or class) מַחֲצִית (machătsîyth, H4276) — a halving or the middle רֶכֶב (rekeb, H7393) — a vehicle; by implication, a team; by extension, cavalry; by analogy a rider, i.e. the… קָשַׁר (qâshar, H7194) — to tie, physically (gird, confine, compact) or mentally (in love, league) תִּרְצָה (Tirtsâh, H8656) — Tirtsah, a place in Palestine; also an Israelitess שָׁתָה (shâthâh, H8354) — to imbibe (literally or figuratively) שִׁכּוֹר (shikkôwr, H7910) — intoxicated, as astate or a habit בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) אַרְצָא (ʼartsâʼ, H777) — Artsa, an Israelite
Open source ↗זִמְרִי (Zimrîy, H2174) — Zimri, the name of five Israelites, and of an Arabian tribe בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) אָסָא (ʼÂçâʼ, H609) — Asa, the name of a king and of a Levite מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence…
Open source ↗מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… כִּסֵּא (kiççêʼ, H3678) — properly, covered, i.e. a throne (as canopied) נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel שָׁאַר (shâʼar, H7604) — properly, to swell up, i.e. be (causatively, make) redundant שָׁתַן (shâthan, H8366) — (causatively) to make water, i.e. urinate קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) גָּאַל (gâʼal, H1350) — to be the next of kin (and as such to buy back a relative's property, marry his widow,… רֵעַ (rêaʻ, H7453) — an associate (more or less close)
Open source ↗זִמְרִי (Zimrîy, H2174) — Zimri, the name of five Israelites, and of an Arabian tribe שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יֵהוּא (Yêhûwʼ, H3058) — Jehu, the name of five Israelites נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man
Open source ↗חַטָּאָה (chaṭṭâʼâh, H2403) — an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or… בַּעְשָׁא (Baʻshâʼ, H1201) — Basha, a king of Israel אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… חָטָא (châṭâʼ, H2398) — properly, to miss; hence (figuratively and generally) to sin; by inference, to forfeit,… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… כַּעַס (kaʻaç, H3707) — to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant הֶבֶל (hebel, H1892) — emptiness or vanity; figuratively, something transitory and unsatisfactory; often used as…
Open source ↗יֶתֶר (yether, H3499) — properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause אֵלָה (ʼÊlâh, H425) — Elah, the name of an Edomite, of four Israelites, and also of a place in Palestine עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) סֵפֶר (çêpher, H5612) — properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
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As for the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, from beginning to end, they are indeed written in the Chronicles of Jehu son of Hanani, which are recorded in the Book of the Kings of Israel.
Jehu son of Hanani the seer went out to confront him and said to King Jehoshaphat, “Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Because of this, the wrath of the LORD is upon you.
Moreover, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Jehu son of Hanani against Baasha and his house, because of all the evil he had done in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of his hands and becoming like the house of Jeroboam, and also because Baasha had struck down the house of Jeroboam.
In the third year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Baasha son of Ahijah became king of all Israel, and he reigned in Tirzah twenty-four years.