1 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?

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Zimri {H2174}, and his treason {H7195} that he wrought {H7194}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478}?

Other activities of Zimri and his conspiracy are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Isra'el.

As for the rest of the acts of Zimri and the treason he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?

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?

Commentary

Context

1 Kings 16:20 serves as a concluding editorial note regarding the brief and tumultuous reign of King Zimri of Israel. This verse points to a larger historical record, the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel," for more details on his actions and his specific act of treason. This passage appears immediately after the account of Zimri's dramatic seven-day reign.

Zimri seized power through a violent coup, assassinating King Elah while he was intoxicated (1 Kings 16:9). His reign was marked by immediate violence as he sought to eradicate the entire house of Baasha, Elah's predecessor. However, his rule was swiftly challenged by Omri, commander of the army, leading Zimri to commit suicide by burning his own palace (1 Kings 16:18). The reference to the "book of the chronicles" is a standard literary device in the books of Kings, indicating that the biblical narrative is selective and refers to external, more comprehensive historical documents.

Key Themes

  • The Fleeting Nature of Unrighteous Power: Zimri's reign is the shortest of any Israelite king, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly power gained through violence and treachery can be lost. His swift downfall underscores the instability of kingdoms built on rebellion rather than divine appointment.
  • Divine Judgment and Consequences: Though not explicitly stated in this verse, the swift and violent end of Zimri's reign is understood within the biblical narrative as a direct consequence of his actions, particularly his treason and the bloodshed he initiated. His death is attributed to the "sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD" (1 Kings 16:19).
  • Biblical Historiography: The constant reference to the "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (and Judah) highlights the Bible's reliance on and interaction with contemporary historical records. This practice affirms the historical grounding of the narrative while emphasizing its primary focus on theological interpretation and God's interaction with His people.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel" (Hebrew: sepher divrei hayyamim le-malkhei yisra'el) refers to official court annals or state records. This was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, where scribes meticulously documented royal events, military campaigns, and administrative matters. These "chronicles" were not necessarily the same as the biblical books of Chronicles, which are later theological interpretations of Israel's history. The biblical authors of Kings used these historical sources to construct their narrative, focusing on aspects relevant to God's covenant with Israel and the consequences of obedience or disobedience.

Practical Application

This brief mention of Zimri's end reminds us that actions have consequences, especially when they involve betrayal and violence. It reinforces the biblical principle that justice, whether divine or human, often catches up to those who seek power through unrighteous means. For believers, it underscores the importance of integrity and righteous leadership, contrasting sharply with Zimri's example, and serves as a timeless warning against pride and rebellion.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 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?

  • 1 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?

  • 1 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?

  • 1 Kings 15:31

    Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?

  • 1 Kings 14:19

    And the rest of the acts of Jeroboam, how he warred, and how he reigned, behold, they [are] written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel.

  • 1 Kings 22:39

    Now the rest of the acts of Ahab, and all that he did, and the ivory house which he made, and all the cities that he built, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?
← Back