1 Kings 16:21-28

21 Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts: half of the people followed * Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king; the other half followed Omri.

22 But the people who followed Omri prevailed over the people who followed Tibni the son of Ginath. And Tibni died and Omri became king.

23 In the thirty-first * year of Asa king of Judah, Omri became king over Israel and reigned twelve * years; he reigned six years at ¹Tirzah.

24 He bought the hill Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and named * the city which he built ²Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

25 ³Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, and ⁴acted more wickedly than all who were before him.

26 For he ⁵walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat and in his sins which he made Israel sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel with their idols.

27 Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did and his might which he showed, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles * of the Kings of Israel?

28 So Omri slept with his fathers and was buried in Samaria; and Ahab his son became king in his place.

1 Kings 16:21-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 16

This chapter contains a prophecy of the ruin of the family of Baasha, and an account of his death, 1Ki 16:1-7, and of his son's reigning in his stead two years, who was slain by Zimri one of his captains, 1Ki 16:8-14, and who reigned but seven days, 1Ki 16:15-20, and the people being divided between Tibni and Omri, the party for the latter prevailed, and he was made king, and reigned twelve years, 1Ki 16:21-28, and was succeeded by his son Ahab, a very wicked prince, 1Ki 16:29-33, and the chapter is concluded with the rebuilding of Jericho, 1Ki 16:34.

Cross References

• 1. 1 Kings 15:21
• 2. 1 Kin 16:28, 29, 32
• 3. Micah 6:16
• 4. 1 Kings 14:9; 1 Kings 16:30-33
• 5. 1 Kings 16:19

Footnotes

• [a]. Heb "Shomeron"
• [b]. Heb "Shomeron"
• [c]. Lit "vanities"
• [d]. Lit "did"