Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible

Zimri‘s death illustrates the general moral which the writer of Kings draws from the whole history of the Israelite monarchs. that a curse was upon them on account of their persistence in Jeroboam‘s sin, which, sooner or later, brought each royal house to a bloody end.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the Lord,.... In the former part of his life, as well as now:

in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did to make Israel sin; worshipping the golden calves, which he might do while a captain of the chariots, and also since he usurped the crown, sacrificing to them by way of thanksgiving, for being in possession of the kingdom; and though his reign was so short, he might give plain and strong intimations that he should continue the worship of idols.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

For his sins which he sinned — This violent end was a just retribution for his crimes. “His walking in the ways of Jeroboam” might have been manifested either by the previous course of his life, or by his decrees published on his ascension, when he made a strong effort to gain popularity by announcing his continued support of the calf worship.

Wesley's Explanatory Notes

For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.

For his sins — This befell him for his sins.

In walking, … — This he might do, either before his reign, in the whole course of his life, which is justly charged upon him, because of his impenitency: or during his short reign; in which, he had time enough to publish his intentions, about the worship of the calves; or to sacrifice to them, for his good success.

John Trapp Complete Commentary

1 Kings 16:19 For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.

Ver. 19. In doing evil.] So active was this man in a quick despatch of the deeds of darkness.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible

For his sins, i.e. this befell him for his sins.

Walking in the way of Jeroboam; which he might do, either before his reign, in the whole course of his life, which is justly charged upon him, because of his impenitency; or in the seven days of his reign; in which he had time enough to publish his intentions or decrees about the continuance of the worship of the calves; or to sacrifice to them for his good success, either already obtained, or further desired.

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments

1 Kings 16:19. For his sins which he sinned — Though he lived but a very short time after he usurped the crown, yet he gave sufficient demonstration of his resolution to continue the idolatry of Jeroboam; and therefore he was abandoned by God. Add to this, the whole course of his life seems to have been wicked, and this is justly charged upon him because of his impenitency.

George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

To sin. Zambri had sufficient time, in seven days, (Haydock) to manifest his evil dispositions, of which he had perhaps given proof before. (Calmet)

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

sins. Some codices read "sin", as in 1 Kings 16:26. Committed not merely during the seven days" reign, but during his whole life, of course.

make Israel to sin. See note on 1 Kings 14:16.

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible - Unabridged

For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.

For his sins which he sinned. This violent end was a just retribution for his, crimes. 'His walking in the ways of Jeroboam' might have been manifested either by the previous course of his life, or by his decrees published on his ascension, when he made a strong effort to gain popularity by announcing his continued support of the calf-worship.

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(19) In walking in the way of Jeroboam.—The use here of this constantly-recurring phrase probably indicates only the historian’s sense of the curse lying on the whole kingdom from its idolatry, which Zimri did not attempt to repudiate; unless, perhaps, his conspiracy had clothed itself under pretence of a righteous zeal for the fulfilment of the prophecy of Jehu (1 Kings 16:3-4), and had thrown off the religious pretence after the deed was done. For except in this way, he had no time for “walking in the way of Jeroboam.”

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

in doing

7,13; 15:30; Psalms 9:16; 58:9-11

in his

12:28; 14:16; 15:26,34