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Omri Reigns over Israel and Builds Samaria

21 The army[a] of Israel was divided into two parties: half of the army[b] were loyal to Ginath’s son Tibni and wanted to make him king, and half were loyal to Omri. 22 But the army[c] that was loyal to Omri was victorious over Ginath’s son Tibni. Tibni later died and Omri became king. 23 During the thirty-first year of the reign of[d] King Asa of Judah, Omri became king over Israel. He reigned for twelve years, six of them at Tirzah. 24 He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents[e] of silver, fortified the hill, and named the city Samaria after Shemer, the former owner of the hill. 25 Omri practiced what the Lord considered to be evil, doing far more evil than anyone who had reigned before him. 26 He lived just like Nebat’s son Jeroboam, and by his sin he led Israel into sin, provoking the Lord God of Israel with their idolatry. 27 Now the rest of Omri’s accomplishments, including the power that he demonstrated, are recorded in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel, are they not? 28 So Omri died, as had his ancestors, and he was buried in Samaria. His son Ahab became king in his place.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 16:21 Or people
  2. 1 Kings 16:21 Or people
  3. 1 Kings 16:22 Or people
  4. 1 Kings 16:23 The Heb. lacks the reign of
  5. 1 Kings 16:24 I.e. about 150 pounds; a talent weighed about 75 pounds