Zimri

Zimri, a commander of half of Israel's chariots, became king after assassinating Elah, but his reign lasted only seven days.
MaleKingIsraelDivided Monarchy eraOld Testament2 books10 verses

Summary

A king of Northern Israel, living at the time of Divided Monarchy, first mentioned at 1 Kings 16:9; only referred to as Zimri (זִמְרִי).

Events

Dates are approximate

Glossary entries

Zimri (Person)

Alternative names

Mentions

Includes 2 verses that refer to Zimri without naming them, as “he”, “she”, or the subject of a verb.

  1. However, while Elah was in Tirzah getting drunk in the house of Arza the steward of his household there, Elah’s servant Zimri, the commander of half his chariots, conspired against him.
  2. So in the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri went in, struck Elah down, and killed him. And Zimri reigned in his place.
  3. 1 Kings 16:11Referred to, not named
    As soon as Zimri began to reign and was seated on the throne, he struck down the entire household of Baasha. He did not leave a single male, whether a kinsman or friend.
  4. So Zimri destroyed the entire household of Baasha, according to the word that the LORD had spoken against Baasha through Jehu the prophet.
  5. In the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri reigned in Tirzah for seven days. Now the troops were encamped against Gibbethon of the Philistines,
  6. …and the people in the camp heard that Zimri had conspired against the king and struck him down. So there in the camp that very day, all Israel proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel.
  7. When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he entered the citadel of the royal palace and burned it down upon himself. So he died
  8. 1 Kings 16:19Referred to, not named
    …because of the sins he had committed, doing evil in the sight of the LORD and following the example of Jeroboam and the sin he had committed and had caused Israel to commit.
  9. As for the rest of the acts of Zimri and the treason he committed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel?
  10. And as Jehu entered the gate, she asked, “Have you come in peace, O Zimri, murderer of your master?”