10 Then Zimri went in and struck him and put him to death in the twenty-seventh e year of Asa king of Judah , and became king in his place . 11 It came about when he became king , as soon as he sat on his throne , that he killed all the household of Baasha ; he did not leave a single male e , neither of his relatives nor of his friends . 12 Thus Zimri destroyed all the household of Baasha , according to the word of the Lord , which He spoke against Baasha through Jehu the prophet , 13 for all the sins of Baasha and the sins of Elah his son , which they sinned and which they made Israel sin , provoking the Lord God of Israel to anger with their idols .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 16:10-13
Commentary on 1 Kings 16:1-14
(Read 1 Kings 16:1-14)
This chapter relates wholly to the kingdom of Israel, and the revolutions of that kingdom. God calls Israel his people still, though wretchedly corrupted. Jehu foretells the same destruction to come upon Baasha's family, which that king had been employed to bring upon the family of Jeroboam. Those who resemble others in their sins, may expect to resemble them in the plagues they suffer, especially those who seem zealous against such sins in others as they allow in themselves. Baasha himself dies in peace, and is buried with honour. Herein plainly appears that there are punishments after death, which are most to be dreaded. Let Elah be a warning to drunkards, who know not but death may surprise them. Death easily comes upon men when they are drunk. Besides the diseases which men bring themselves into by drinking, when in that state, men are easily overcome by an enemy, and liable to bad accidents. Death comes terribly upon men in such a state, finding them in the act of sin, and unfitted for any act of devotion; that day comes upon them unawares. The word of God was fulfilled, and the sins of Baasha and Elah were reckoned for, with which they provoked God. Their idols are called their vanities, for idols cannot profit nor help; miserable are those whose gods are vanities.