Jehu brought word of God's judgement to Baasha. He actually continued this ministry for about fifty years. When men become leaders we tend to become proud and arrogant, thinking we are there on merit and by our own efforts, and use the position to achieve our own ends. Jehu's word reminds the king that he is there purely because God has raised him to that position, Jesus reminded Pilate of the same truth (John 19:11), and that we are there to serve God's purposes not our own. As with many other kings, reference is made to the other things that the king did and achieved being recorded in the annals. Our lasting legacy is determined by our moral uprightness. Since Baasha did evil he left a legacy of judgement on the nation, not of blessing.
His son succeeded him, but Elah was not better, getting drunk while the army was fighting. So Zimri killed him and assumed the kingship, killing all of Baaasha's family. However, Zimri did not last long, reigning for only a very short time.
For a time Israel was split in two, but Omri led the stronger faction and became king. "Sinned more than ..." The sin in the kings and in the nation increased. Then came Ahab, one of the worst kings they ever had (which is saying something). He married Jezebel and this led to baal worship spreading throughout the land, and Ahab himself worshipped baal. He rebuilt Jericho and suffered the judgement declared by Joshua (Josh 6:26).
We see a land of constant intrigue, division and violence, with no stability at all. This is the result of rebellion against God. We see this pattern repeated in many nations today. As rebellion against God increases a land becomes more and more ungovernable.
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