Zimri’s Reign over Israel

16:15 In the twenty-seventh year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Zimri became king over Israel; he ruled for seven days in Tirzah. Zimri’s revolt took place while the army was deployed18 in Gibbethon, which was in Philistine territory. 16:16 While deployed there, the army received this report:19 “Zimri has conspired against the king and assassinated him.”20 So all Israel made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day in the camp. 16:17 Omri and all Israel went up from Gibbethon and besieged Tirzah. 16:18 When Zimri saw that the city was captured, he went into the fortified area of the royal palace. He set the palace on fire and died in the flames.21 16:19 This happened because of the sins he committed. He did evil in the sight of22 the Lord and followed in Jeroboam’s footsteps and encouraged Israel to continue sinning.23

16:20 The rest of the events of Zimri’s reign, including the details of his revolt, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel.24