Jakautunut kuningaskuntaKingMilitary commanderc. 929–874 BC
Omri was a military commander who seized power in Israel after a civil war and established a dynasty that ruled for several generations. He built Samaria as the new capital and made Israel a regional power, but he continued the idolatry that characterized the northern kingdom.
When the people heard that Zimri had killed King Elah, all Israel proclaimed the military commander Omri as king while they were besieging the Philistine city of Gibbethon.
15In the twenty-seventh year of Asa king of Judah, Zimri reigned seven days in Tirzah. The troops were encamped against Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines.
16When the encamped troops heard that Zimri had conspired and had struck down the king, all Israel in the camp made Omri, the commander of the army, king over Israel that very day.
Omri bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer and built a new city that became Israel's capital. The city remained the capital throughout the entire history of the northern kingdom.
24He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he built up the hill and named the city he built Samaria, after Shemer, the owner of the hill.
26He followed the whole way of Jeroboam son of Nebat and his sin, which he had led Israel to commit, provoking the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger with their worthless idols.