Wesley Corpus

Chapter XVI The ruin of Baasha's family foretold, ver. 1 - 7. And executed by Zimri, ver. 8 - 14. Zimri's short reign, ver. 15 - 20. The struggle between Omri and Tibni, and Omri's reign, ver. 21 - 28. The beginning of Ahab's reign, ver. 29 - 33. Hanani - He was sent to Asa, king of Judah. But the son, who was young and more active, was sent on this longer and more dangerous expedition to Baasha, king of Israel. I made thee - Though that invading the kingdom was from himself, and his own wicked heart; yet the translation of the kingdom from Nadab to Baasha simply considered, was from God, who by his providence disposed of all occasions, and of the hearts of the soldiers and people, so that Baasha should have opportunity of executing God's judgment upon Nadab; nay, the very act of Baasha, the killing his master Nadab, was an act of divine justice. And if Baasha had done this in obedience to God's command, and with a single design, to execute God's vengeance threatened against him, it had been no more a sin, than Jehu's act in killing his master king Jehoram, upon the same account, 2Kings 9:24. But Baasha did this, merely to gratify his own pride, or covetousness, or malice, ver.7. Came, &c. - The meaning is, the message which came from the Lord to Jehu, ver.1, &c. was here delivered by the hand, the ministry of Jehu, unto Baasha. Jehu did what God commanded him in this matter, tho' it was not without apparent hazard to himself. Two years - One compleat, and part of the other, ver.10. Chariots - Of all his military chariots, and the men belonging to them: the chariots for carriage of necessary things, being put into meaner hands. Tirzah - Whilst his forces were elsewhere employed, ver.15, which gave Zimri advantage to execute his design. Kinfolks - Heb. avengers; to whom it belonged to revenge his death. Vanities - Idols called vanities; because they are but imaginary deities, and mere nothings; having no power to do either good or hurt. 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. For his sins - This befell him for his sins. In walking, &c.