1 Kings 16:15

“In the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah did Zimri reign seven days in Tirzah, etc] Until the army under Omri came and took the palace, and destroyed him: and the people were encamped against Gibbethon, which belongeth to the Philistines; it was besieged in Nadab’s time, but upon his death, by Baasha, the siege was raised; or however, if then taken, it was recovered by the Philistines, and now besieged again by the Israelites, (see <111527>1 Kings 15:27).”

“did Zimri reign seven days--The news of his conspiracy soon spread, and the army having proclaimed their general, Omri, king, that officer immediately raised the siege at Gibbethon and marched directly against the capital in which the usurper had established himself. Zimri soon saw that he was not in circumstances to hold out against all the forces of the kingdom; so, shutting himself up in the palace, he set it on fire, and, like Sardanapalus, chose to perish himself and reduce all to ruin, rather than that the palace and royal treasures should fall into the hands of his successful rival. The seven days' reign may refer either to the brief duration of his royal authority, or the period in…”

“Gibbethon - Which had been besieged before, but, it seems, was then relieved, or afterwards recovered by the Philistines; taking the advantage of the disorders and contentions which were among their enemies. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 16:19”

“16:15-17 Although Zimri commanded half of the royal chariots (16:9), he was in Tirzah rather than with the army . . . attacking . . . Gibbethon. He apparently did not have the respect of the armed forces; they saw his acts as treason and chose their commander Omri as the new king of Israel.”

“seven: Kg1 16:8; Kg2 9:31; Job 20:5; Psa 37:35 And the people were encamped: Kg1 15:27; Jos 19:44, Jos 21:23 3 Kings (1 Kings) 16:16”

“The Reign of Zimri lasted only seven days. As soon as the people of war (העם), who were besieging Gibbethon (see at Kg1 15:27), heard of his conspiracy, his usurpation of the throne, and his murderous deeds, they proclaimed Omri king in the camp of the military commanders, and he at once, with all Israel, i.e., all the army, raised the siege of Gibbethon, to lay siege to Thirza. Now when Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the castle of the royal palace and burned the king's house over his own head, as Sardanapalus did, according to Justin (Hist. i. 3). ארמון does not mean harem (Ewald), but the high castle (from ארם, to be high); here and in Kg2 15:25, the citadel of the royal…”