King Omri of Israel

Omri was a king of Israel who first appears in the Bible as the commander of King Elah’s army.

In 885 BC, Elah sent Omri to besiege the Philistine stronghold of Gibbethon. While the siege was underway, another military leader, Zimri, staged a coup, killing Elah and immediately eliminating all of Elah’s male relatives. Upon hearing this, Omri’s army proclaimed him king, and he then led his entire force back to the capital, Tirzah, to confront Zimri. Seeing that Tirzah was besieged, Zimri set fire to the royal palace and died in the flames, having reigned for only seven days. However, Omri had not yet consolidated his rule over Israel. Tibni controlled part of the land for four years. Finally, Omri crushed Tibni’s forces and gained control of the entire nation. He established the fourth dynasty of Israel, which continued for three more generations after him. From a secular historical perspective, Omri was likely the most accomplished king of the northern kingdom of Israel. He reconquered the Moabites, established the strategically important capital of Samaria, and maintained peaceful relations with the southern kingdom of Judah. Even more than 150 years after Omri’s death, Assyrian documents still referred to Israel as the “House of Omri” or the “Land of Omri.” Examples include the Stele of Shalmaneser III from 841 BC, the Nimrud Slab of Adad-nirari III from 800 BC, an inscription of Tiglath-pileser III from 731 BC, and the palace gate inscription of Sargon II from 720 BC.

The Omride dynasty was a period of relative stability in the history of the northern kingdom, yet it was also its spiritually darkest era. Nevertheless, it was a time when God revealed His restoration and salvation. During this period, God raised up two great prophets, Elijah and Elisha, making the Omride dynasty the era with the most miracles and wonders, demonstrating that God had not abandoned His people (Isaiah 42:16). However, in God’s eyes, Omri’s historical achievements were mere fleeting clouds, quickly turning to dust, and not worth counting at all.