King James Bible Dictionary

Servant of Jehovah. When Elah was murdered by Zimri at Tirzah (1 Kings 16:15-27), Omri, his captain, was made king (B.C. 931). For four years there was continued opposition to his reign, Tibni, another claimant to the throne, leading the opposing party; but at the close of that period all his rivals were defeated, and he became king of Israel, "Tibni died and Omri reigned" (B.C. 927). By his vigour and power he gained great eminence and consolidated the kingdom. He fixed his dynasty on the throne so firmly that it continued during four succeeding reigns. Tirza was for six years the seat of his government. He then removed the capital to Samaria (q.v.), where he died, and was succeeded by his son Ahab. "He wrought evil in the eyes of the Lord, and did worse than all that were before him."

Beth-omri, "the house" or "city of Omri," is the name usually found on Assyrian inscriptions for Samaria. In the stele of Mesha (the "Moabite stone"), which was erected in Moab about twenty or thirty years after Omri's death, it is recorded that Omri oppressed Moab till Mesha delivered the land- "Omri, king of Israel, oppressed Moab many days, for Chemosh was angry with his land. His son succeeded him, and he also said, I will oppress Moab" (comp. 2 Kings 1:1; 3:4, 5). The "Moabite stone" also records that "Omri took the land of Medeba, and occupied it in his day and in the days of his son forty years."

sheaf of corn

1. King of Israel:

Was commander of the army of Israel, and was proclaimed king by the army upon news of assassination of King Elah
1 Kings 16:16

Defeats his rival, Tibni, and establishes himself
1 Kings 16:17-22

Surrendered cities to king of Syria
1 Kings 20:34

Wicked reign and death of
1 Kings 16:23-28

Denounced by Micah
Micah 6:16

2. A son of Becher, grandson of Benjamin
1 Chronicles 7:8

3. A descendant of Pharez
1 Chronicles 9:4

4. Son of Michael, and ruler of tribe of Issachar in time of David
1 Chronicles 27:18

(pupil of Jehovah).

1. Originally "captain of the host" to Elah, was afterward himself king of Isr'l, and founder of the third dynasty. (B.C. 926.) Omri was engaged in the siege of Gibbethon situated in the tribe of Dan, which had been occupied by the Philistines. As soon as the army heard of Elah's death they proclaimed Omri king. Thereupon he broke up the siege of Gibbethon and attacked Tirzah, where Zimri was holding his court as king of Isr'l. The city was taken, and Zimri perished in the flames of the palace, after a reign of seven days. Omri, however, was not allowed to establish his dynasty without a struggle against Tibni, whom "half the people," (1 Kings 16:21) desired to raise to the throne. The civil war lasted four years. Comp. (1 Kings 16:15) with 1 Kings 16:23 After the defeat sad death of Tibni, Omri reigned for six years in Tirzah. At Samaria Omri reigned for six years more. He seems to have been a vigorous and unscrupulous ruler, anxious to strengthen his dynasty by intercourse and alliances with foreign states.
2. One of the sons of Becher the son of Benjamin. (1 Chronicles 7:8)
3. A descendant of Pharez the son of Judah, (1 Chronicles 9:4)
4. Son of Mich'l, and chief of the tribe of Issachar in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 27:18) (B.C. 1030.)