| Elah - ēīla International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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| Son of Baasha, fourth king of
Israel (1Ki_16:6-14).
He reigned two years, 888-887 bc. The statement that he came to the
throne in the 26th year of Asa, reigned two years, and died in the 27th
year of Asa, illustrates the Hebrew method of synchronizing the reigns
of the kings of Israel and Judah (compare
1Ki_15:33;
1Ki_16:8). Elah
appears to have been a debauchee. While he was drinking himself drunk in
the house of Azra, his chamberlain, Zimri, one of his military leaders,
conspired against him and murdered him. According to Josephus (VIII,
xii, 4) he took advantage of the absence of the army, which was at
Gibbethon, to kill Elah. The extirpation of the royal family followed
the murder of the king. Baasha's dynasty had its origin in a murder and
it ended in a murder. The government had no stability. These revolutions
illustrate the truth that “they who take the sword shall perish with the
sword.”
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Taken from: International Standard Bible Encyclopedia by James Orr, M.A., D.D., General Editor |
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