1 Kings 16:6

KJV

So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

KJV (with Strong's)

So Baasha {H1201} slept {H7901} with his fathers {H1}, and was buried {H6912} in Tirzah {H8656}: and Elah {H425} his son {H1121} reigned {H4427} in his stead.

Complete Jewish Bible

Ba'sha slept with his ancestors, and Elah his son became king in his place.

Berean Standard Bible

And Baasha rested with his fathers and was buried in Tirzah, and his son Elah reigned in his place.

American Standard Version

And Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah; and Elah his son reigned in his stead.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 16:6 succinctly records the death of Baasha, king of Israel, and the succession of his son, Elah, to the throne, marking a pivotal transition in the Northern Kingdom's tumultuous history. This verse serves as a sober reminder of the transient nature of human power and sets the stage for the swift and violent fulfillment of divine judgment pronounced against Baasha's idolatrous dynasty, echoing the fate of Jeroboam's house before him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the narrative of Baasha's 24-year reign, which began with his violent overthrow of Nadab, son of Jeroboam, effectively eradicating Jeroboam's dynasty as prophesied in [1 Kings 14:10](/1-kings/14-10 "1 Kings 14:10 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's house"). Despite fulfilling this divine judgment, Baasha himself "did evil in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of Jeroboam" ([1 Kings 15:34](/1-kings/15-34 "1 Kings 15:34 - Baasha's Evil Reign")). Consequently, the prophet Jehu son of Hanani was sent to pronounce a similar judgment against Baasha's house, foretelling its utter destruction ([1 Kings 16:1-4](/1-kings/16-1 "1 Kings 16:1-4 - Jehu's Prophecy Against Baasha")). Thus, 1 Kings 16:6 acts as a direct prelude to the rapid fulfillment of this prophecy, which unfolds immediately with Elah's brief and tragic reign in [1 Kings 16:8-10](/1-kings/16-8 "1 Kings 16:8-10 - Elah's Assassination").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Baasha's reign (c. 909–886 BC) was characterized by constant warfare with Judah, particularly against King Asa, as detailed in [1 Kings 15:16-22](/1-kings/15-16 "1 Kings 15:16-22 - War between Asa and Baasha"). Tirzah, mentioned as Baasha's burial place, served as the capital of the Northern Kingdom from Jeroboam's time until Omri moved the capital to Samaria ([1 Kings 16:23-24](/1-kings/16-23 "1 Kings 16:23-24 - Omri Founds Samaria")). The phrase "slept with his fathers" is a common ancient Near Eastern idiom for a king's death and burial, signifying a natural end to his life and a joining of his ancestors in the grave, regardless of the nature of his reign. This period in Israel's history was marked by profound political instability, frequent coups, and a consistent pattern of idolatry, distinguishing it sharply from the (theoretically) stable Davidic dynasty in Judah.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to the overarching themes of **Dynastic Instability and Succession** in the Northern Kingdom, where kings often rose to power through violence and their reigns were frequently cut short by similar means. It underscores the theme of **Divine Judgment and Prophetic Fulfillment**, demonstrating that God's word, spoken through His prophets, is unfailingly accomplished, even through the actions of wicked rulers and the chaos of human politics. Baasha's death, despite its seemingly peaceful description, directly leads to the violent end of his dynasty, fulfilling the prophecy against him, just as [1 Kings 14:10](/1-kings/14-10 "1 Kings 14:10 - Judgment on Jeroboam's House") foretold the destruction of Jeroboam's house. This highlights the consistent biblical principle that **Disobedience to God has Consequences**, not only for the individual but often for their lineage.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **"slept with his fathers" (Hebrew, _shākav 'im 'avotāv'_):** This is a common biblical idiom used to describe the death of a king or patriarch. It signifies that the individual has died and been laid to rest with their ancestors, implying a natural death and burial. It does not carry connotations of spiritual state or a peaceful end to their life, but rather marks the conclusion of their earthly existence and reign, emphasizing the continuity of generations and the finality of their time on the throne.
* **"Tirzah" (Hebrew, _Tirtzah'_):** Meaning "pleasantness" or "delight," Tirzah was an ancient Canaanite city that became the first capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the division of the monarchy. Its mention as Baasha's burial place underscores its significance as the royal city during his reign, before Omri moved the capital to Samaria. The city's name ironically contrasts with the constant turmoil and wickedness that characterized the reigns of the kings who ruled from it.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"So Baasha slept with his fathers":** This clause signifies the death of King Baasha, marking the end of his 24-year reign over Israel. The idiom "slept with his fathers" is a standard biblical phrase for a king's demise, indicating a natural death and joining his ancestors in the grave. This contrasts with the violent end of his predecessor, Nadab, whom Baasha himself assassinated.
* **"and was buried in Tirzah":** This specifies the location of Baasha's burial. Tirzah was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom at this time, confirming his status as a legitimate, albeit unrighteous, king who died in power and was interred in the royal necropolis of the capital.
* **"and Elah his son reigned in his stead":** This final clause announces the succession of Baasha's son, Elah, to the throne. This is the customary formula for royal succession in the books of Kings, establishing the new monarch and setting the stage for the events of his reign, which, in Elah's case, would be remarkably short and violent, leading to the fulfillment of the prophecy against Baasha's house.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. The most prominent is the **Idiom** "slept with his fathers," a euphemistic phrase common throughout the Old Testament to denote death. This seemingly peaceful description of Baasha's end stands in stark **Irony** to the violent nature of his rise to power and the violent end that awaited his own dynasty. The verse also functions as a point of **Transition**, marking the end of one king's reign and the beginning of another, a recurring structural element in the books of Kings that highlights the cyclical nature of Israel's history. Furthermore, it serves as a subtle piece of **Foreshadowing**, as the succession of Elah immediately precedes the fulfillment of the divine judgment pronounced against Baasha's house, hinting at the instability and impending doom that will characterize the new reign.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 16:6 serves as a powerful theological statement on the nature of divine justice and the transient character of earthly power when divorced from God's will. Baasha, despite a relatively long reign achieved through violence, ultimately faced the same prophetic judgment he had executed upon Jeroboam's house. His death, even if natural, initiated the downfall of his own dynasty, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His word and His sovereign control over the rise and fall of nations and rulers. This passage underscores the principle that outward success or longevity of reign does not negate the consequences of unrepentant sin and idolatry. God's patience is not His approval, and His judgments, though sometimes delayed, are always certain.

* [1 Kings 14:10](/1-kings/14-10 "1 Kings 14:10 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's House")
* [1 Kings 16:1-4](/1-kings/16-1 "1 Kings 16:1-4 - Jehu's Prophecy Against Baasha")
* [Proverbs 14:34](/proverbs/14-34 "Proverbs 14:34 - Righteousness Exalts a Nation")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of King Baasha, culminating in his death and the succession of his son, offers profound lessons for contemporary believers. It reminds us that all earthly power, influence, and success are ultimately fleeting. Baasha's long reign, achieved through violence and sustained by idolatry, ended in a common grave, and his legacy was one of divine condemnation and dynastic collapse. This narrative challenges us to consider the true measure of a life: not its duration or outward accomplishments, but its alignment with God's will and its contribution to His eternal kingdom. We are called to build a legacy of faithfulness, integrity, and obedience, understanding that our ultimate accountability is to God, who judges not merely actions but the heart. The instability of human kingdoms points to the enduring stability of God's reign, inviting us to place our trust not in transient earthly authorities or achievements, but in the unchanging character and promises of our sovereign Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the transient nature of Baasha's power challenge my own pursuit of earthly success or recognition?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be tempted to compromise God's standards for perceived gain or stability?**
* **What kind of legacy am I building, and how does it reflect my ultimate allegiance?**
* **How does God's consistent fulfillment of prophecy in this historical account deepen my trust in His word today?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of Baasha being "buried in Tirzah"?**

Answer: Tirzah was the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel during Baasha's reign. Being buried in the capital signified his status as a legitimate, reigning monarch who died while still on the throne. It indicates that his death was not a violent overthrow, but a natural end to his life, contrasting sharply with the violent way he came to power by assassinating Nadab ([1 Kings 15:27-28](/1-kings/15-27 "1 Kings 15:27-28 - Baasha Kills Nadab")) and the violent end that would soon befall his own son, Elah, in the very same city ([1 Kings 16:9-10](/1-kings/16-9 "1 Kings 16:9-10 - Zimri Kills Elah in Tirzah")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The relentless cycle of sin, judgment, and unstable succession evident in the Northern Kingdom, perfectly encapsulated by Baasha's reign and its aftermath, powerfully underscores the profound human need for a truly righteous and eternal King. The transient reigns of earthly monarchs like Baasha, who "slept with his fathers" and passed away, highlight the futility of placing ultimate hope in human leadership. This narrative points forward to the coming of Jesus Christ, the King whose kingdom is not of this world ([John 18:36](/john/18-36 "John 18:36 - Jesus' Kingdom Not of This World")), whose reign is eternal and unshakeable ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). Unlike Baasha, who established his throne through violence and continued in sin, Christ established His kingdom through self-sacrificial love on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")) and reigns in perfect righteousness ([Isaiah 9:6-7](/isaiah/9-6 "Isaiah 9:6-7 - The Prince of Peace")). The instability and ultimate failure of every human dynasty, including Baasha's, serve as a stark backdrop against which the glorious, everlasting, and perfectly just reign of the [Lamb of God](/revelation/5-13 "Revelation 5:13 - The Lamb on the Throne") shines as the ultimate fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

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.

Cross-References

1 Kings 14:17

And Jeroboam's wife arose, and departed, and came to Tirzah: [and] when she came to the threshold of the door, the child died;

1 Kings 15:21

And it came to pass, when Baasha heard [thereof], that he left off building of Ramah, and dwelt in Tirzah.

1 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.

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 14:20

And the days which Jeroboam reigned [were] two and twenty years: and he slept with his fathers, and Nadab his son reigned in his stead.

1 Kings 15:25

¶ And Nadab the son of Jeroboam began to reign over Israel in the second year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned over Israel two years.

1 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.