And it came to pass, when he began to reign, as soon as he sat on his throne, that he slew all the house of Baasha: he left him not one that pisseth against a wall, neither of his kinsfolks, nor of his friends.
When Zimri became king and took the throne, he killed everyone in Baasha's family. He didn't spare a single male relative or even any of Baasha's friends.
This verse describes how the new king Zimri completely wiped out the previous king's entire family and associates when he seized power.
📚 Historical Context
In the divided kingdom of Israel after Solomon's reign, Baasha had seized the throne and led the nation into idolatry, prompting God to declare through the prophet Jehu that his entire dynasty would be destroyed as judgment for their sins. This verse describes Zimri, a chariot commander, who carried out this divine prophecy by assassinating King Elah, Baasha's son, and eliminating all of Baasha's family and allies to prevent any rival claims to the throne. Such violent power struggles were common in ancient Near Eastern politics, highlighting the instability and consequences of ungodly leadership.
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