מלכים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ט״ו

A dramatic and brief political coup rocks the Kingdom of Israel, resulting in one of the shortest royal reigns in history. In the twenty-seventh year of King Asa, Zimri seizes power immediately after assassinating King Elah [מצודת דוד]. The timeline reveals that Elah did not complete two full years on the throne, as he began his rule in Asa's twenty-sixth year before Zimri's violent takeover the following year [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

Zimri's rule lasts a mere seven days in Tirzah, the city where he launched his rebellion [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, despite his incredibly short time in power, he manages to follow the sinful ways of Jeroboam and dies in his sin. Following this swift downfall, the people immediately crown Omri, the commander of the army. This sudden shift in leadership triggers a prolonged struggle for the throne between Omri and Tibni the son of Ginath [רלב״ג].

While this violent overthrow unfolds in the capital city of Tirzah, the majority of the nation and the military forces are stationed far away. They are actively laying siege to the Philistine city of Gibbethon [מצודת דוד, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. This military campaign is the continuation of an older conflict. The effort to conquer Gibbethon, likely viewed as a significant national security threat, originally began during the reign of Nadab the son of Jeroboam. In that earlier period, the Israelites besieged the city but failed to capture it. Now, during Elah's reign, the military forces have returned to renew the siege [רד״ק, ביאור שטיינזלץ].