Omri King of Israel

2022-11-01

Omri was the captain over the host of Israel. He besieged Tirzah after Zimri killed King Elah, but Zimri died in the fire of the king’s palace. From the death of Zimri emerged two candidates for king: Omri and Tibni. The followers of Omri were stronger, so he became king. This kind of chaos characterized the kingdom of Israel after the days of Solomon.

Omri’s twelve-year reign started with six years reigning in Tirzah. Afterward, he bought Shemer’s hill and built a city there, naming it Samaria after the former owner of the hill. This is one of Omri’s primary claims to fame, as Samaria is well known throughout the Old and New Testaments.

Omri is also the father of the infamous king of Israel, Ahab. He is also the father of Athaliah, the only queen of Judah.

“But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him” (1 Kings 16:25). This might explain why his children were so evil. Omri may have copied the sins of Jeroboam, but his son worshipped all the Baals and the groves of the pagans. The heritage you provide for your children is important, for whatever you do, they will learn from it.

Throughout the Bible, he is only remembered by this: “Thou shalt sow, but thou shalt not reap; thou shalt tread the olives, but thou shalt not anoint thee with oil; and sweet wine, but shalt not drink wine. For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people” (Micah 6:15-16). Your heritage matters. See the great multitude this man affected with his wickedness.

This is a part of the Kings of Israel series. To go back to the table of contents, proceed here.