1 Kings 16:14

KJV

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?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Elah {H425}, and all that he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Elah and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Elah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

American Standard Version

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?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 16:14 serves as a formulaic conclusion to the brief and wicked reign of King Elah of Israel, marking a pivotal moment of political instability within the northern kingdom. This verse, characteristic of the Deuteronomistic History, points readers to external, presumably more detailed, state annals for a comprehensive account of Elah's actions, while the biblical narrative itself focuses on the theological implications of his unfaithfulness and the divine judgment manifested in his violent overthrow. It underscores the biblical author's selective presentation of history, prioritizing spiritual lessons over exhaustive historical documentation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears at the conclusion of the biblical narrative concerning King Elah, immediately following the account of his assassination by Zimri while he was drunk in Tirzah ([1 Kings 16:9-10](/1-kings/16-9 "1 Kings 16:9-10 - Zimri's Conspiracy and Elah's Death")). It is a standard concluding formula found throughout the Books of Kings, signaling the end of a monarch's reign and typically preceding the introduction of the next king. This formulaic structure provides a consistent rhythm to the historical accounts, emphasizing the cyclical nature of kingship in Israel and Judah, often marked by unfaithfulness, judgment, and succession. The brevity of Elah's two-year reign and its violent end highlight the volatile political climate in the northern kingdom, setting the stage for further instability and the rise of the Omride dynasty.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Elah's reign (c. 886-885 BC) occurred during a period of profound political turmoil and moral decay in the northern kingdom of Israel. He inherited the throne from his father, Baasha, who himself had seized power through violence. Elah's assassination by Zimri, one of his chariot commanders, was not an isolated incident but part of a recurring pattern of coups and regicides that plagued Israel, contrasting sharply with the more stable Davidic dynasty in Judah. This instability was often a consequence of the northern kingdom's persistent idolatry and rejection of the Mosaic covenant, leading to divine judgment. The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" refers to official state records or annals, common in ancient Near Eastern monarchies, where scribes meticulously documented royal decrees, military campaigns, and administrative details. These external records served as a historical backdrop, providing a broader context for the biblically selective narrative.

* **Key Themes:** The formulaic conclusion in [1 Kings 16:14](/1-kings/16-14 "1 Kings 16:14 - Conclusion of Elah's Reign") contributes to several overarching themes in the Books of Kings. Firstly, it reinforces the **divine oversight of history**, demonstrating that even the briefest and most ignoble reigns, like Elah's, are meticulously recorded and fall within God's sovereign plan. The biblical author's selective focus on Elah's wickedness and violent end, rather than an exhaustive historical account, underscores the theme of **consequences for covenant unfaithfulness** and **divine judgment**. Elah's fate is presented as a direct result of the sins of his father, Baasha, and his own continued wickedness ([1 Kings 16:13](/1-kings/16-13 "1 Kings 16:13 - Elah's Sins")). Furthermore, the reference to external chronicles highlights the **historical verifiability** of the biblical narrative, affirming that the biblical account is rooted in actual historical events, even as its primary purpose is theological rather than purely historical. This also subtly emphasizes the **selective nature of biblical revelation**, where God chooses to reveal what is necessary for understanding His character, covenant, and purposes, rather than providing an exhaustive historical record, a principle seen elsewhere, such as in [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Could Not Contain the Books").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rest of the acts (Hebrew: יֶתֶר דִּבְרֵי, _yeter divrei_):** This phrase literally means "the remainder of the words/affairs." It is a standard idiom used throughout the Books of Kings to indicate that the biblical account is not exhaustive but rather a curated selection of events. It points to a larger body of external historical records where more details about the king's reign could be found. This phrase underscores the theological purpose of the biblical narrative, which is to interpret history through the lens of God's covenant and judgment, rather than to provide a comprehensive historical chronicle.
* **Chronicles (Hebrew: דִּבְרֵי הַיָּמִים, _divrei hayyamim_):** This term refers to official state annals or royal records, distinct from the biblical Books of Chronicles (which were written much later and offer a different theological perspective). These ancient Near Eastern "day-books" or "journals" would have contained detailed accounts of a king's reign, including military campaigns, building projects, administrative decisions, and significant events. The biblical author's reference to these external sources lends historical credibility to the narrative, grounding it in verifiable historical tradition, even while the biblical text itself focuses on the spiritual and moral dimensions of the kings' reigns.
* **Kings of Israel (Hebrew: מַלְכֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, _malchei Yisrael_):** This specific designation differentiates the northern kingdom of Israel from the southern kingdom of Judah, which had its own separate set of chronicles (e.g., "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah"). This distinction highlights the separate historical trajectories and spiritual failures of the two kingdoms after the division, emphasizing Israel's consistent pattern of idolatry and political instability, which ultimately led to its downfall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the rest of the acts of Elah, and all that he did,"**: This opening clause serves as a summary statement, acknowledging that Elah's reign involved numerous activities beyond what is detailed in the biblical narrative. It acts as a transition, signaling the conclusion of the account of Elah's rule and preparing the reader for the subsequent formulaic reference to external records. The phrase "all that he did" further emphasizes the comprehensive nature of these unrecorded actions.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"**: This rhetorical question is a characteristic literary device in the Books of Kings. It functions not as a genuine inquiry but as an assertive statement, confirming the existence of official state records that contain further information about Elah's reign. By directing the reader to these external "chronicles," the biblical author implicitly states that the biblical narrative's purpose is not to be an exhaustive historical record, but rather a theologically focused account that highlights God's interaction with His people and their leaders.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Formulaic Language**, which is a hallmark of the Deuteronomistic History. The phrase "Now the rest of the acts of [King's Name], and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of [Israel/Judah]?" is a recurring literary device that provides a consistent structural framework for each monarch's reign. This formula serves several purposes: it marks the end of a king's narrative, points to external historical sources for further details, and implicitly asserts the historical basis of the biblical account. Additionally, the verse uses a **Rhetorical Question** ("are they not written...?"), which is not intended to elicit an answer but to affirm a known fact, reinforcing the existence and accessibility of these external historical records. This device also subtly emphasizes the biblical author's authority and knowledge of these wider historical contexts.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 16:14, though a seemingly mundane concluding formula, carries profound theological weight. It reminds us that while the biblical narrative is divinely inspired and sufficient for salvation and spiritual instruction, it is not an exhaustive historical encyclopedia. God, through His inspired authors, chose to record what was essential for understanding His character, His covenant relationship with Israel, and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. The reference to external chronicles underscores God's sovereignty over all history, even the brief and ignoble reigns of wicked kings. Nothing escapes His notice, and all events, whether recorded in sacred scripture or secular annals, ultimately serve His overarching purposes. This verse implicitly teaches that accountability is universal; even if human records are incomplete, God's knowledge is perfect, and every life, no matter how short or seemingly insignificant, is part of His grand narrative.

* [Daniel 2:21](/daniel/2-21 "Daniel 2:21 - God Changes Times and Seasons")
* [Proverbs 21:1](/proverbs/21-1 "Proverbs 21:1 - The King's Heart in the Hand of the Lord")
* [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Could Not Contain the Books")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The brevity of Elah's reign and its abrupt, violent end, combined with the biblical author's terse summary, offer a powerful lesson on the fleeting nature of earthly power and the ultimate accountability before God. While "the rest of the acts" of Elah may be recorded in human chronicles, the biblical narrative's focus on his wickedness and its consequences serves as a stark reminder that true significance is not found in the length or perceived success of a reign, but in faithfulness to God. Our lives, too, are being "written" in various "chronicles"—our memories, the impact we have on others, and ultimately, in God's eternal record. This verse prompts us to consider what story our lives are telling, whether it is one of fleeting earthly pursuits or of enduring faithfulness to the divine King. It encourages us to live with an awareness that while our earthly deeds may or may not be widely known, they are always known to God, who judges righteously and holds all history in His sovereign hand.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the brevity and tragic end of Elah's reign challenge our understanding of success and significance in our own lives?**
* **In what ways does the biblical emphasis on God's sovereignty over history, even chaotic periods, offer comfort or challenge to our own lives?**
* **What "chronicles" are being written about our lives, and how does the knowledge of God's awareness of all our deeds impact our daily choices and priorities?**

### FAQ
**What is "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" mentioned here?**

Answer: The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (Hebrew: _sepher divrei hayyamim lemalchei Yisrael_) refers to official state annals or royal records maintained by scribes in the northern kingdom of Israel. These were not the biblical Books of Chronicles (which are part of the Old Testament canon and were written much later, offering a different theological perspective on Israel's history). Instead, they were secular historical documents, akin to a royal diary or archive, detailing the administrative, military, and political events of each king's reign. The biblical authors frequently refer to these external records, both for the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, indicating their reliance on and awareness of wider historical sources. This practice lends historical credibility to the biblical narrative, grounding it in verifiable historical tradition, even as the Bible's primary purpose is theological rather than exhaustive historical reporting.

**Why does the Bible refer to external books instead of providing all details about a king's reign?**

Answer: The biblical narrative, particularly in the Books of Kings, is not intended to be an exhaustive historical account of every event or detail of a king's reign. Its primary purpose is theological: to demonstrate God's sovereignty over history, to illustrate the consequences of obedience and disobedience to His covenant, and to trace the lineage and spiritual trajectory of His people. By referring to external "chronicles," the biblical author implicitly communicates that while more historical information exists, the details included in the inspired text are precisely what God deemed necessary for His people's spiritual instruction and understanding of His redemptive plan. This selective approach highlights the Bible's focus on salvation history and God's moral governance of the world, rather than providing a comprehensive secular history. This principle is also evident in the New Testament, as [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Could Not Contain the Books") notes that if everything Jesus did were written down, "the world itself could not contain the books that would be written."

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 16:14 speaks of the earthly chronicles of a fleeting, unfaithful king, it subtly points to the ultimate and eternal "chronicles" of God's kingdom, centered on Christ. The reigns of earthly kings, like Elah, are marked by sin, instability, and eventual demise, their acts recorded in temporary human annals. In stark contrast, the "acts" of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings, are eternally recorded and bring about an everlasting kingdom that "shall never be destroyed" ([Daniel 2:44](/daniel/2-44 "Daniel 2:44 - God's Eternal Kingdom")). Elah's story is one of judgment for unfaithfulness, but Christ's story is one of perfect obedience and redemptive sacrifice, through which His followers are written into the ultimate chronicle—the [Lamb's Book of Life](/revelation/21-27 "Revelation 21:27 - Only Those Written in the Lamb's Book of Life Enter the New Jerusalem"). The fleeting nature of Elah's earthly record stands in stark contrast to the eternal record of those whose names are inscribed in heaven, not by their own deeds, but by the perfect work of the [Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Ultimately, the "rest of the acts" that truly matter are not our own, but the finished work of Christ, which secures our eternal standing before God ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through the Offering of Jesus Christ")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.