The King Who Did More Evil Than All Who Came Before Him
The life and reign of King Omri.
Omri is the beginning of the third family to remain on Israel’s throne for at least two generations.
But the old saying, “The third time is the charm” turns out not to be true at all in this case.
How Omri Came to the Throne.
After the people found out Zimri killed King Elah and seized the throne for himself, they chose Omri—the commander of Israel’s army—to be their king (1 Kings 16:16).
Omri immediately marched on Tirzah and besieged it with Zimri inside. When the city fell, Zimri burned down the king’s palace with himself inside (1 Kings 16:17-18).
But, not everyone wanted Omri to be the next king of Israel. There is another power struggle: half of the nation wanted Omri to be king while the other half wanted Tibni the son of Ginath (1 Kings 16:21). But eventually, the half who wanted Omri prevailed and Tibni died (1 Kings 16:22).
So Omri was finally the undisputed king of Israel and reigned for 12 years (1 Kings 16:23). The first 6 years of his reign, he reigned from Tirzah.
Omri Builds Samaria.
Omri’s military background must have gotten him thinking about building a more centralized and easily defended capital city.
After 6 years in Tirzah, Omri purchases the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents (about 150 pounds) of silver. He then builds the city of Samaria, naming it after the previous owner of the hill (1 Kings 16:24). The Hebrew word for “Samaria” means “guardian” or “watchman” so that also gives us an idea of the purpose of this city.
Omri provides some stability for the nation and has increased its military strength.
The Overview of Omri’s Reign.
But the Lord’s final analysis of Omri’s reign is not a good one.
Omri did evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all who were before him. For he walked in all the ways of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin by which he had made Israel sin, provoking the LORD God of Israel to anger with their idols. (1 Kings 16:25-26)
Not only did Omri continue in the same evil Jeroboam started, but he “did worse” or “more evil.” Although he accomplished many things and became powerful (1 Kings 16:27), the kings of the northern kingdom are getting worse - not better.
When Omri died, he was buried in Samaria and his son Ahab reigned in his stead (1 Kings 16:28).
Crowning Principles
It is possible to do “worse.”
In God’s final analysis, Omri was “worse” or “more evil” than all the kings of the northern kingdom that came before him. While sin is sin and evil is evil, there is such a thing as “worse.”
Would you say the people of Sodom and Gomorrah were “worse” or “more evil” than most? With that question in mind, notice what Jesus said when He sent His twelve apostles out:
“Now whatever city or town you enter, inquire who in it is worthy, and stay there till you go out. And when you go into a household, greet it. If the household is worthy, let your peace come upon it. But if it is not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city! (Matthew 10:11-15)
Are Sodom and Gomorrah worse off or better off on the day of judgment than those who rejected the preaching of the Lord’s apostles?
Jesus also reminded the Jewish people of this:
There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answered and said to them, “Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:1-5)
What’s my point?
While it is true that there is such a thing as “worse” or “more evil,” our opinion and God’s analysis of what is “worse” are often very different. We must go with what God says is worse and not what we think is worse.
Beware when there are no “good” options for leaders.
The northern kingdom has been in a situation for some time where there are no good options for their leaders.
Elah was wicked like his father.
Zimri was evil and a traitor.
Omri was more evil than all who came before him.
Bad days are ahead for the nation (or church) whose leaders are becoming “worse and worse” (1 Timothy 3:1-7, 12-13). As we will find out, things are only going to get worse for the northern kingdom of Israel.
The response to evil and things growing worse all around us is to “continue in the things we have learned” - God’s word (2 Timothy 3:14-15).
