Omri And Ahab Reigns in Israel
September 13, 2019
Commentary
The death of Zimri did not automatically place the throne of the Northern Kingdom in Omri’s hands. Half the population, including the army, followed Omri but the other half sided with Tibni (v. 21). For over three years civil war ravaged Israel and threatened to split it into two parts. At the end of this period Omri was victorious (v. 22). About the same time Omri took over Tibni died. We can not know for sure if his death was violent or natural. In the 31st year of Asa Omri began to reign (v. 23).
Many of the sins of Omri are written in the book of the Chronicles (v. 27). Though Omri is passed over quickly in l Kings but he was a powerful and politically effective king. In fact, he was probably the strongest leader of the Northern Kingdom up to this time. However, Omri’s spiritual leadership was the worst of any Israelite king to this time. To add to this spiritual deterioration was an alliance he made with the Phoenicians which was sealed by the marriage of his son, Ahab, to Jezebel, a daughter of the Phoenician king, Ethboal.
At the end of a 12-year reign, Omri died and his rule was passed on to his son, Ahab, who was more wicked than his father (v. 25). Verse 30 says that Ahab “did evil in the sight of the Lord more than all who were before him” (v. 30). In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel, and Ahab the son of Omri reigned over Israel in Samaria twenty-two years. Jezebel never rested till she had got all the forms of her native Tyrian worship in.
Influenced by his wicked wife, Jezebel, Ahab built a temple for Baal worship in the capital of Israel. Jezebel, who was a self-styled “prophetess” (Revelation 2:20) inaugurated her own priesthood, withdrew the altars of the Lord, established her own idols and persecuted the servants of the Lord.
Application
Omri strengthened the nation politically and militarily but he did not care about the nation’s spiritual condition (Micah 6:l6). Anytime I leave God out of my plans it will only lead to a tragic future.
1 Kings 16:21– 34 (NET)
21 At that time the people of Israel were divided in their loyalties. Half the people supported Tibni son of Ginath and wanted to make him king; the other half supported Omri. 22 Omri’s supporters were stronger than those who supported Tibni son of Ginath. Tibni died; Omri became king.
23 In the thirty-first year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri became king over Israel. He ruled for twelve years, six of them in Tirzah. 24 He purchased the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He launched a construction project there and named the city he built after Shemer, the former owner of the hill of Samaria. 25 Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him. 26 He followed in the footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat and encouraged Israel to sin; they angered the Lord God of Israel with their worthless idols.
27 The rest of the events of Omri’s reign, including his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel. 28 Omri passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Ahab replaced him as king.
29 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri’s son Ahab became king over Israel. Ahab son of Omri ruled over Israel for twenty-two years in Samaria. 30 Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him. 31 As if following in the sinful footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not bad enough, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. Then he worshiped and bowed to Baal. 32 He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he had built in Samaria. 33 Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
34 During Ahab’s reign, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. Abiram, his firstborn son, died when he laid the foundation; Segub, his youngest son, died when he erected its gates, in keeping with the Lord’s message that he had spoken through Joshua son of Nun.