1 Kings 16 21

1 Kings 16:21 kjv

Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; and half followed Omri.

1 Kings 16:21 nkjv

Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

1 Kings 16:21 niv

Then the people of Israel were split into two factions; half supported Tibni son of Ginath for king, and the other half supported Omri.

1 Kings 16:21 esv

Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.

1 Kings 16:21 nlt

But now the people of Israel were split into two factions. Half the people tried to make Tibni son of Ginath their king, while the other half supported Omri.

1 Kings 16 verses

1 Kings 16 21 Meaning

This verse describes the immediate aftermath of King Zimri's demise in Israel, revealing a power vacuum and a civil war. The northern kingdom of Israel fractured into two opposing factions: one half supported Tibni, the son of Ginath, to be their king, while the other half pledged allegiance to Omri. This profound internal division highlights the chronic instability and lack of divine anointing characteristic of the non-Davidic northern kingship, which frequently led to violence and fragmentation among the people.

1 Kings 16 21 Context

First Kings chapter 16 depicts a turbulent period in the history of the northern kingdom of Israel, marked by political instability, rapid succession of kings, and deep spiritual apostasy. The chapter begins with a prophetic denunciation against King Baasha, followed by the reigns of his son Elah, then Zimri (who usurped the throne only to rule for seven days), and Omri. Immediately preceding verse 21, Zimri commits suicide by burning his palace around himself when Omri, a commander of the army, besieges Tirzah. Instead of a clear transfer of power to Omri, who was leading the successful military action, a significant portion of the Israelite population rejected his authority, creating a dual kingship and civil war. This illustrates the chaotic state of a kingdom that had largely forsaken its covenant with Yahweh, consistently choosing ungodly leadership and embracing idolatry, which brought about a curse of internal division and unrest, rather than the peace and unity God promised for obedience.

1 Kings 16 21 Word analysis

• Then (וַאֲזַי - wa'azay): This connective indicates an immediate consequence or sequence of events. It marks the precise point following Zimri's death, highlighting the immediate emergence of disunity rather than an orderly transition.
• the people of Israel (הָעָם יִשְׂרָאֵל - ha'am yisrael): Refers specifically to the citizens of the Northern Kingdom, not all twelve tribes, as Judah and Benjamin formed their own kingdom under the house of David. The division within this specific part of the larger Israelite entity underscores its unique political and spiritual vulnerabilities due to its rejection of the Davidic covenant and establishment of alternate worship centers.
• were divided (יֵחָלֵק - yechaleq): From the root חָלַק (chalaq), meaning "to divide, share, split." The Hiphil imperfect form suggests an ongoing, developing division, not just a one-time event, indicating a process of fragmentation. Theologically, this points to a fractured state stemming from internal rebellion and lack of a unified purpose under God's appointed king.
• into two parts (בִּשְׁתֵּי חֲלָקִים - bishte chalaqim): Explicitly emphasizes a complete binary split, indicating severe polarization and mutual opposition, rather than multiple factions or minor disagreements. This "two-ness" signals a full-blown civil war.
• half of the people (הַחֵצִי - hahetzi): Literally "the half." This stresses a roughly equal division of the population, indicating a strong, entrenched opposition rather than a fringe rebellion.
• followed (הָלַךְ אַחֲרֵי - halak acharey): Literally "walked after," signifying allegiance, loyal adherence, and active support for a leader. This indicates a conscious choice by a significant segment of the population to align themselves with a particular candidate for kingship.
• Tibni (תִבְנִי - Tibni) the son of Ginath: Tibni is otherwise unknown in biblical history beyond this context. His emergence indicates that Omri's ascendancy was not universally accepted, suggesting potential lingering loyalty to previous leadership or an independent power base opposing the military faction. His support represents an alternative, likely non-military, leadership claim.
• to make him king (לְהַמְלִיכוֹ - lehamlicho): The Hiphil infinitive indicates the active intention and purpose of Tibni's followers—to establish him as the legitimate monarch. This underscores the political ambition and human will driving the conflict, rather than divine appointment.
• and half followed Omri (וְהַחֵצִי אַחֲרֵי עָמְרִי - vehachetzi acharey Omri): Omri (עָמְרִי - Omri) was a formidable military commander (1 Ki 16:16). His rapid rise and the significant support he garnered highlight his strength and strategic importance. He would go on to found one of Israel's most influential, though ungodly, dynasties. This segment of the people saw him as their leader, perhaps due to his military success or pragmatic appeal in a chaotic period.

• "Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts": This phrase captures the internal collapse and fragmentation of the northern kingdom. It contrasts sharply with God's original design for Israel as a unified people under His rule, often represented as "one flock, one shepherd." The immediate splitting of the populace highlights the deep instability plaguing Israel due to repeated cycles of disobedience, violence, and ungodly leadership, which directly opposed God's established order.
• "half of the people followed Tibni... and half followed Omri": This highlights a civil conflict of considerable magnitude and near-equal support for two different claimants to the throne. It underscores the lack of clear divine guidance in leadership selection, unlike the anointing of Saul and David in earlier history, revealing a kingdom left to the arbitrary and ambitious choices of its people and military leaders. This schism demonstrates how disunity prevents a nation from achieving true strength or spiritual prosperity.

1 Kings 16 21 Bonus section

The civil war between Omri and Tibni lasted for approximately four years (cf. 1 Ki 16:15 where Zimri reigned, and 1 Ki 16:23 which marks Omri's accession to sole rule). This extended period of internal conflict significantly weakened the already fractured northern kingdom of Israel, diverting resources and attention from spiritual matters and potential external threats. Omri's eventual triumph established a new and powerful dynasty, notorious for its idolatry (specifically Baal worship championed by Ahab, his son, and Jezebel) and political acumen, leading to significant interactions with other regional powers. The recurrent instability and lack of divine anointing for their kings sharply contrasts with the (relatively) more stable Davidic dynasty in Judah, emphasizing the ongoing consequences of Israel's initial division and rejection of God's chosen king. The events here underscore a key biblical principle: unity and stability flow from obedience and proper alignment with God's will for leadership, while division and chaos are the fruit of self-will and forsaking divine guidance.

1 Kings 16 21 Commentary

1 Kings 16:21 marks a pivotal moment of deep internal turmoil in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, signifying a profound absence of stability and unity after Zimri's short reign. The verse highlights the secular and human-driven nature of kingship succession in Israel, starkly contrasting with God's choosing of David and his lineage for the throne of Judah. With no prophet intervening to designate a king, and no apparent appeal to the Lord for guidance, the nation resorts to fragmented factions and civil conflict, a grim symptom of their pervasive spiritual rebellion and rejection of God's ways. This struggle between Tibni and Omri represents not just a political contest but a deep societal illness that would further destabilize Israel, leading to a long, devastating conflict. The divided loyalties showcase a lack of national cohesion, ultimately making Israel vulnerable both internally and externally.