מלכים א, פרק ט״ז, פסוק ח׳

Following the death of Baasha, the royal succession passes to his son Elah, marking a brief and turbulent chapter in the kingdom's history. Elah assumes power during the twenty-sixth year of Asa, king of Judah. This timeline perfectly aligns with the historical record, as Baasha began his rule in the third year of Asa and reigned for twenty-four years, making his death and his son's immediate coronation fall exactly in Asa's twenty-sixth year. While Elah's time on the throne is recorded as lasting two years, this does not indicate two full calendar years, but rather partial, fragmented years ([מצודת דוד]).

Elah established his royal seat in the city of Tirzah, choosing to make his home and settle there. However, his reign was abruptly cut short by a rebellion plotted by his own military men. The conspirators found the perfect opportunity to strike while the main army was away fighting a campaign in Gibbethon. Left behind in Tirzah, the king sat alone in his residence, drinking and becoming completely drunk. This vulnerable state allowed the rebels to easily act against him, overthrowing his rule and destroying the entire house of Baasha, thereby fulfilling the word of God ([אברבנאל]).