²⁴ But they did not listen^(A) or pay attention;^(B) instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts.^(C) They went backward^(D) and not forward.

²⁵ But Omri did evil^(A) in the eyes of the Lord and sinned more than all those before him. ²⁶ He followed completely the ways of Jeroboam son of Nebat, committing the same sin Jeroboam had caused^(B) Israel to commit, so that they aroused the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, by their worthless idols.^(C)

²⁷ As for the other events of Omri’s reign, what he did and the things he achieved, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Israel? ²⁸ Omri rested with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria.^(D) And Ahab his son succeeded him as king.

Ahab Becomes King of Israel

²⁹ In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. ³⁰ Ahab son of Omri did more^(E) evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him. ³¹ He not only considered it trivial to commit the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, but he also married^(F) Jezebel daughter^(G) of Ethbaal king of the Sidonians, and began to serve Baal^(H) and worship him. ³² He set up an altar^(I) for Baal in the temple^(J) of Baal that he built in Samaria. ³³ Ahab also made an Asherah pole^(K) and did more^(L) to arouse the anger of the Lord, the God of Israel, than did all the kings of Israel before him.

⁸ I will devastate this city and make it an object of horror and scorn;^(A) all who pass by will be appalled^(B) and will scoff because of all its wounds.^(C)

²⁵ (There was never^(A) anyone like Ahab, who sold himself to do evil in the eyes of the Lord, urged on by Jezebel his wife. ²⁶ He behaved in the vilest manner by going after idols, like the Amorites^(B) the Lord drove out before Israel.)