“When Zimri saw that the city had been captured, he went into the fortified tower of the king’s house and burned the house down over himself, and he died.”~1 Kings 16:18

Zimri was a chief warrior, overseeing half the forces of Israel (1 Ki. 16:9).

He betrayed his king, slayed him, then sat on his throne (1 Ki. 16:10).

Zimri then proceeded to exterminate the entire house of his predecessor (1 Ki. 16:11)

Although this was in alignment with Jehovah’s prophecy, Zimri was not motivated by a desire to carry out God’s will (1 Ki. 16:1-3; 12).

He was an idol-worshiper and an opportunist, greedy for power, who, in a transient display of bravery, acted purely out of self-interest (1 Ki. 16:19,20).

A few days later, the ten-tribe nation of Israel opted to make another one of their army-chiefs king.

This new king’s name was Omri (1 Ki. 16:16).

Omri besieged the palace where Zimri was hiding himself (1 Ki. 16:17).

Up to that moment, Zimri had solely relied on his own power and not God’s.

Thus, it played out that he caved in to his fears and killed himself before his enemies could grab a hold of him.

How long did Zimri’s rule last?

Seven days.

Any satisfaction he had derived out of his corrupt actions was extremely short-lived.

Zimri’s actions are a lesson in loyalty and lack of faith.