Bible Strands
1 Kings 16:9
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator records King Elah of Israel drunk in the house of his household steward Arza in Tirzah, while his own servant Zimri, commander of half the royal chariots, plots against him. This event occurs in the second year of Elah’s reign, immediately following the succession from his father Baasha.
The words — The Hebrew verb וַ/יִּקְשֹ֤ר (va/i.yik.Shor) literally means "and he conspired," denoting a secret plot. It is linked to שַׂ֖ר (sar), meaning "commander," which specifies Zimri’s official military rank over half the chariot force.
The thread — The narrative’s focus on household administration parallels Genesis 24:2 and Genesis 39:4, where stewards are entrusted with their masters’ estates, and stands in structural contrast to 1 Kings 18:3, which names Obadiah as the palace overseer. These passages collectively map the biblical framework of delegated household and palace authority.
Why it lands — The text presents the exact mechanism of regicide: a subordinate exploiting a leader’s physical vulnerability to execute a coup. It requires the reader to observe how military command and household access combine to enable swift, violent political turnover.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Genesis 24:2 So Abraham instructed the chief servant of his household, who managed all he owned, “Place your hand under my thigh,
- Genesis 39:4 Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant. Potiphar put him in charge of his household and entrusted him with everything he owned.
- 1 Kings 18:3 and Ahab summoned Obadiah, who was in charge of the palace. (Now Obadiah greatly feared the LORD,
- Daniel 5:1 Later, King Belshazzar held a great feast for a thousand of his nobles, and he drank wine with them.
- Genesis 15:2 But Abram replied, “O Lord GOD, what can You give me, since I remain childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?”
- Genesis 24:10 Then the servant took ten of his master’s camels and departed with all manner of good things from his master in hand. And he set out for Nahor’s hometown in Aram-naharaim.
- Genesis 39:9 No one in this house is greater than I am. He has withheld nothing from me except you, because you are his wife. So how could I do such a great evil and sin against God?”
- 1 Samuel 25:36 When Abigail returned to Nabal, there he was in the house, holding a feast fit for a king, in high spirits and very drunk. So she told him nothing until morning light.
- 2 Samuel 13:28 Now Absalom had ordered his young men, “Watch Amnon until his heart is merry with wine, and when I order you to strike Amnon down, you are to kill him. Do not be afraid. Have I not commanded you? Be courageous and valiant!”
- 1 Kings 15:27 Then Baasha son of Ahijah of the house of Issachar conspired against Nadab, and Baasha struck him down at Gibbethon of the Philistines while Nadab and all Israel were besieging the city.