Kingdom EraOld Testament

Elah

1 Kings

When

886–885 BC· Reign

Tied to events dated from records outside the Bible, usually within a few years. How the dates are worked out

Name meaning

"terebinth" · Hebrew

The terebinth is a large tree, and some lexicons give oak instead.

About

King of Israel, the son of Baasha, whom he succeeded. He began to reign in the twenty-sixth year of Asa of Judah and reigned two years in Tirzah. Zimri, his servant and captain of half his chariots, conspired against him. While Elah was getting drunk in Tirzah, in the house of Arza, the steward of the household, Zimri went in and killed him and reigned in his place. Zimri then destroyed all the house of Baasha, as the Lord had spoken by the prophet Jehu son of Hanani. Scripture attributes this to the sins of Baasha and of Elah his son, by which they made Israel sin.

Relationships

FatherBaashaFather, whose throne in Tirzah he inherited

Overthrown byZimriCaptain of half his chariots, who killed him and reigned

Key Scripture AppearancesKJV

1 Kings 16:6

So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.1 Kings 16:6, KJV

1 Kings 16:8

In the twenty and sixth year of Asa king of Judah began Elah the son of Baasha to reign over Israel in Tirzah, two years.1 Kings 16:8, KJV

1 Kings 16:9

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.1 Kings 16:9, KJV

1 Kings 16:10

And Zimri went in and smote him, and killed him, in the twenty and seventh year of Asa king of Judah, and reigned in his stead.1 Kings 16:10, KJV

See how Elah connects to every other figure in Scripture.

Explore Elah in the Family Tree →