Zimri (king)

Zimri was a king of Israel, reigning for a very short period, only seven days, according to the biblical account in 1 Kings 16. He was the commander of half of King Elah's chariots and seized power through a coup d'état. The account describes Elah being drunk and murdered in Tirzah by Zimri, who subsequently declared himself king.

Zimri's reign was marked by violence and civil war. The northern tribes of Israel, unwilling to accept Zimri's rule, rallied behind Omri, the commander of the army, who was besieging the Philistine city of Gibbethon at the time of the coup. Omri swiftly marched on Tirzah, the Israelite capital, and besieged the city. Faced with imminent defeat, Zimri set fire to the royal palace and perished in the flames. This swift end to his reign prevented the establishment of a lasting dynasty.

The biblical narrative portrays Zimri as a usurper and a ruthless figure, highlighting the chaotic and unstable political environment of the Israelite kingdom during this period. His brief rule underscores the fragility of power and the frequent instances of violence and internal conflict that characterized the early Israelite monarchies. The lack of extra-biblical sources makes confirming details about Zimri's life and reign challenging. Further research into archaeological evidence from the period may shed additional light on his rule, but currently, much remains unknown.