Zimri זִמְרִי

Zimri was a short-lived king of Israel who reigned for only seven days. He was originally a commander of half of the chariots in the army of Elah, king of Israel. While Elah was drinking himself into a stupor at the house of Arza, his steward, Zimri conspired against him and assassinated him. Zimri then proclaimed himself king and killed all the members of Elah's family, fulfilling the prophecy against the house of Baasha, Elah's father. However, when the army of Israel, which was besieging Gibbethon, heard of Zimri's actions, they proclaimed Omri, the commander of the army, as king. Omri marched to Tirzah, the capital city, and besieged it. When Zimri saw that the city was taken, he went into the citadel of the king's house and set it on fire, killing himself. Zimri's brief reign was marked by treachery and violence, and he is remembered as one of the wicked kings of Israel. The story of Zimri's rise and fall illustrates the political instability and moral decline that characterized the northern kingdom of Israel during this period.