Topical Bible: Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Elah

◄ Kings: Who Reigned Over Israel: Elah ►

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Elah, the son of Baasha, was the fourth king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign is recorded in the First Book of Kings, specifically in 1 Kings 16:6-14. Elah's rule is noted for its brevity and the tumultuous events that led to his downfall.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Elah ascended to the throne following the death of his father, Baasha, who had established his dynasty by overthrowing the previous king, Nadab, and exterminating the house of Jeroboam. Baasha's reign was marked by continued idolatry and conflict with the southern kingdom of Judah. Upon Baasha's death, Elah inherited the throne, but his reign was short-lived, lasting only two years.

Reign and Character

The biblical account provides limited details about Elah's policies or achievements. However, it is clear that his reign did not deviate from the sinful practices of his predecessors. The Bible states, "He did evil in the sight of the LORD, walking in the way of his father and in his sin, which he had caused Israel to commit" (1 Kings 16:13). This indicates that Elah continued the idolatrous practices that had become entrenched in the northern kingdom.

Downfall and Assassination

Elah's reign came to an abrupt end through a conspiracy led by Zimri, one of his military commanders. While Elah was in Tirzah, indulging in drunkenness at the house of Arza, the steward of his household, Zimri seized the opportunity to assassinate him. The Bible records, "Zimri came in, struck him down, and killed him in the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and he reigned in his place" (1 Kings 16:10).

Zimri's coup was swift, and he immediately took the throne, but his reign was even shorter than Elah's, lasting only seven days. The assassination of Elah marked the end of Baasha's dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy delivered by the prophet Jehu against Baasha's house due to their persistent idolatry and sin (1 Kings 16:1-4).

Legacy

Elah's brief and undistinguished reign is a reflection of the instability and moral decline that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel during this period. His assassination by Zimri underscores the political volatility and the frequent power struggles that plagued Israel's monarchy. Elah's failure to turn from the sinful ways of his father and lead the nation back to the worship of Yahweh contributed to the continued spiritual decline of Israel.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 16:8-14
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.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... for Omri's ruling had beaten Tibni, Omri reigned over all the ... years; six of these
years he reigned in the ... was no way different from those kings that reigned ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

The Divided Kingdom.
... Reigned IS years and died ... During this time the kings of Judah cherished the hope
that they would regain ... (1) Jehovah rules not only in Israel but over all peoples ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xiii the divided kingdom.htm

Appendices
... the last king but one of the Kassite dynasty, and not rather one of the unknown
kings of the ... ISRAEL. ... 2. My father reigned over Moab thirty years, and I reigned. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the labours of the attacking force were not yet over. ... The petty kings who shared
with Assyria the possession ... Barzur, son of Panammu I., had reigned there since ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... A perpetual terror reigned wherever they were accustomed to ... bezek said, Threescore
and ten kings, having their ... very spot where they had triumphed over the sons ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm