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1 Kings 16:11

Old Testament Historical ASV (1901)

What does 1 Kings 16:11 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he smote all the house of Baasha: he left him not a single man-child, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he smote all the house of Baasha: he left him not a single man-child, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
1 Kings 16:11 — American Standard Version

Context — 1 Kings 16

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
8In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, [and reigned] two years.
9And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. Now he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza, who was over the household in Tirzah:
10and Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.
11And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he smote all the house of Baasha: he left him not a single man-child, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
12Thus did Zimri destroy all the house of Baasha, according to the word of Jehovah, which he spake against Baasha by Jehu the prophet,
13for all the sins of Baasha, and the sins of Elah his son, which they sinned, and wherewith they made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to anger with their vanities.
14Now 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?
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, etc.] Perhaps the very first day, that he slew all the house of Baasha; his whole family, all the children that he had, that there might be none to make pretensions to the throne: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks nor of his friends; not any that might avenge the blood of his family, that might have a right or inclination to do it.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends - Zimri’s measures were of much more than ordinary severity. Not only was the royal family extirpated, but the friends of the king, his councillors and favorite officers, were put to death. Omri, as having been in the confidence of the late monarch, would naturally fear for himself, and resolve to take the course which promised him at least a chance of safety. return to 'Top of Page'”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“Kinfolks - Heb. avengers; to whom it belonged to revenge his death. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 16:13”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“16:11-12 Zimri’s execution of all the family . . . relatives and friends . . . of Baasha was swift and merciless. While Zimri carried out the Lord’s sentence against the dynasty of Baasha, he doubtless did so for selfish reasons: to keep them from taking revenge on him or using their power or influence to organize their own coup.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he slew: Kg1 15:29; Jdg 1:7 he left him: Kg1 14:10; Sa1 25:22, Sa1 25:34 neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends: or, both his kinsmen and his friends 3 Kings (1 Kings) 16:12”
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Related study paths

Read 1 Kings 16 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification