Zimri
Ruled seven days. The army, angered by his treason, proclaimed Omri king and surrounded the capital. Zimri set fire to the palace and let it collapse on him.
Kings of Israel and Judah
(Click graphic for Timeline)
Tibni
Rival claimant to Omri, reigned for several years. Death: Was apparently killed while assailed by the soldiers of Omri – his death is recorded, but the circumstances surrounding it go unexplained.
Omri
From a human viewpoint, Omri was an effective king. He made peace with Judah and won back Moab and other lost territories. To cement ties with Tyre, he married his son Ahab to Jezebel, daughter of the king of Tyre. She introduced Baal worship to Israel. Because of this Omri was denounced by the prophets.
However he brought peace and prosperity to the northern kingdom and established a strategically located new capital, Samaria, to guard the Via Maris and to rival Jerusalem. Omri died after only 12 years on the throne but he so impressed contemporary leaders that Israel was afterward known as the Land of Omri.
However he brought peace and prosperity to the northern kingdom and established a strategically located new capital, Samaria, to guard the Via Maris and to rival Jerusalem. Omri died after only 12 years on the throne but he so impressed contemporary leaders that Israel was afterward known as the Land of Omri.
Ahab
Continued his father’s policies, politically effective, spiritually decadent. Completed construction in Samaria, rebuilt Jericho. Jezebel’s promotion of Phoenician cults brought the wrath of the prophet Elijah upon him. Ben-Hadad of Aram-Damascus launched two attacks that Ahab repelled, but Ahab was criticized for sparing Ben-Hadad’s life. Meanwhile, Moab revolted. Ahab was killed in final battle against Ben-Hadad.
Ahaziah
Son of Ahab and Jezebel. His first act as king was to injure himself falling from a second story. He lived only long enough to fail twice: he tried to kill Elijah, who had predicted his death; and he tried to start a navy, which apparently sank.
Joram
Hebrew Name:
Jehoram
Also a son of Ahab and Jezebel. Made an abortive attempt to recover Moab. Samaria was besieged by Arameans but survived. In a new Aramean battle he was wounded, and while he recuperated turned the army over to his general, Jehu. Elisha commanded a revolt against Jehoram, anointing Jehu as king and urging him to kill the descendants of Jezebel, including Jehoram.
Jehu
Founder of the longest-lived dynasty in Israel, he was son of Jehoshaphat. He killed the house of Ahab, including the wicked Jezebel, but allowed worship of God to be linked with Baal worship. Ignored crumbling economy and foreign alliances. Lost territory east of Jordan to Damascus. Black Obelisk depicts his submission to Shalmaneser III of Assyria.
Jehoahaz
His spiritual and political behavior caused the Northern Kingdom to lose even more territory. Syrians under Hazael and Ben-Hadad took heavy toll. Near the end of his life, Jehoahaz prayed for help.
Jehoash
His father’s prayer answered as war with Syria turned in Israel’s favor. Recovered territory lost by his father. Attacked by Amaziah of Judah, so Jehoash punished Jerusalem by breaching the walls and taking captives and treasures.
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