I Kings 15:25-26- 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. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of his father, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
Nadab went up against a certain city to battle. While he was encamped around this city with his army, another man came to kill him and claim the throne of Israel as his own.
I kings 15:27-28- And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon. Even in the third year of Asa king of Judah did Baasha slay him, and reigned in his stead.
Baasha killed Jeroboam's son, Nadab, and claimed the throne as his own. And then he went about to destroy any that would threaten to take the throne from him.
I Kings 15:29-30- And it came to pass, when he reigned, that he smote all the house of Jeroboam; he left not to Jeroboam any that breathed, until he had destroyed him, according unto the saying of the LORD, which he spake by his servant Ahijah the Shilonite: Because of the sins of Jeroboam which he sinned, and which he made Israel sin, by his provocation wherewith he provoked the LORD God of Israel to anger.
Baasha killed Jeroboam's entire household to ensure his claim to the throne. But, he wasn't any better than Jeroboam.
I Kings 15:33-34- In the third year of Asa king of Judah began Baasha the son of Ahijah to reign over all Israel in Tirzah, twenty and four years. And he did evil in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin.
God didn't like how evil Jeroboam was and he punished him. Now, his replacement was just as wicked. So, God was now going to punish him.
I Kings 16:1-3- Then the word of the LORD came to Jehu the son of Hanani against Baasha, saying, Forasmuch as I exalted thee out of the dust, and made thee prince over my people Israel; and thou hast walked in the way of Jeroboam, and hast made my people Israel to sin, to provoke me to anger with their sins; Behold, I will take away the posterity of Baasha, and the posterity of his house; and will make thy house like the house of Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
God sent a message to Jehu the prophet and told him to let Baasha know that he was going to be judged. Not only was God going to punish Baasha, but he was going to wipe out his entire family, just like he did to Jeroboam's family.
I Kings 16:5-6- Now the rest of the acts of Baasha, and what he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.
The Bible doesn't tell us if Elah knew of the prophecy when he took the throne. But, whether he knew it or not, there was a death sentence on him. And this death sentence wouldn't be carried out by an enemy leader or even by a rebel Jew. It would be by his own servant.
I Kings 16:8-10- 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. And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah. And 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.
After Elah had reigned two years, his servant came in when he was drinking and having a good time, and killed him.
Zimri wasted no time in fulfilling the death prophecy against the house of Baasha.
I Kings 16:11a, 13-14- And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: 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. 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?
God always keeps his Word. If he promises to punish for sin, no one can escape the judgement- not the servant in the home, not the prisoner in the cell, and not the king on the throne!
