King Zimri holds the title for the king who had the shortest reign in the Bible. His seven-day reign in Israel was definitely short, but certainly not sweet.
How Zimri’s Short Reign As King Began
The not so nice story of how Zimri came to power begins in (1 Kings 16:8) with Elah ruling as the king over Israel. Zimri, who commanded half of King Elah’s royal chariots, made plans to kill the king. While Elah was getting drunk at the home of his palace supervisor Arza, Zimri walked in and struck Elah down killing him. The Bible says Zimri became the next king and immediately killed the entire royal family, not sparing a single male child, distant relative, or friend. (1 Kings 16:8-11)
How Zimri’s Short Reign As King Of Israel Ended
When the army of Israel learned that Zimri had committed treason and murdered Elah, they chose Omri, who was the commander of the army, as the new king of Israel. Omri then led all of the Israelites who were with him to Tirzah and laid siege to Israel’s capital. Upon seeing that the city had been taken, Zimri went into the citadel of the palace and set fire to the king’s house, burning it down around him and dying in the flames. (1 Kings 16:15-18)
The Traitor
King Zimri’s suicide by fire quickly ended his seven-day reign as the leader of Israel. The Scriptures record that Zimri had done evil in the Lord’s sight (1 Kings 16:19). Doing what was evil in the sight of God certainly did not end well for Zimri. He became best remembered as a traitor who murdered his master. Before the wicked Jezebel was thrown to the dogs in (2 Kings 9), she is quoted as saying to Jehu, “Have you come in peace, you Zimri, you murderer of your master?” (2 Kings 9:31). Apparently it had become known that to be called Zimri was equal to being called a traitor. What a way to be remembered.
