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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 16:15-28

Solomon observes (Prov. 28:2) that for the transgression of a land many were the princes thereof (so it was here in Israel), but by a man of understanding the state thereof shall be prolonged?so it was with Judah at the same time under Asa. When men forsake God they are out of the way of rest and establishment. Zimri, and Tibni, and Omri, are here striving for the crown. Proud aspiring men ruin one another, and involve others in the ruin. These confusions end in the settlement of Omri; we must... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:23

In the thirty first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel twelve years ,.... Which are to be reckoned not from the thirty first of Asa; for Ahab the son of Omri began to reign in his thirty eighth year, and so his reign would be but seven or eight years; but they are reckoned from the twenty seventh of Asa, the beginning of it, when Elah was slain by Zimri, and he died, which to the end of the thirty eight of Asa make twelve years; for the division, according to the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 16:24

And he bought the hill of Samaria of Shemer, for two talents of silver ,.... A talent of silver, according to Brerewood F6 De Ponder. & Pret. c. 4. , was of our money three hundred and seventy five pounds, so that this hill was purchased at seven hundred and fifty pounds: and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria ; its name from him was Shomeron, which is the Hebrew name for Samaria; which,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 16:23

In the thirty and first year of Asa - There must be a mistake here in the number thirty-one; for, in 1 Kings 16:10 ; and 1 Kings 16:15 , it is said that Zimri slew his master, and began to reign in the twenty-seventh year of Asa; and as Zimri reigned only seven days, and Omri immediately succeeded him, this could not be in the thirty-first, but in the twenty-seventh year of Asa, as related above. Rab. Sol. Jarchi reconciles the two places thus: "The division of the kingdom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 16:24

He bought the hill Samaria of Shemer - This should be read, "He bought the hill of Shomeron from Shomer, and called it Shomeron, (i.e., Little Shomer), after the name of Shomer, owner of the hill." At first the kings of Israel dwelt at Shechem, and then at Tirzah; but this place having suffered much in the civil broils, and the place having been burnt down by Zimri, Omri purposed to found a new city, to which he might transfer the seat of government. He fixed on a hill that... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 16:21-34

Change without improvement. I. OMRI 'S INDEBTEDNESS TO DIVINE GOODNESS . 1 . His success against Zimri ( 1 Kings 16:15-25 ). The traitor fell before him almost without a struggle. 2 . Against Tibni . Israel was equally divided, yet his life was preserved and the kingdom given to him. Men pass up to place and means and influence through a pathway which, if it is only looked back upon and considered, is full of power to touch the heart and bow it under the will of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 16:23

In the thirty and first year of Asa, king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years [As Omri was proclaimed king in the twenty-seventh and died in the thirty-eighth year of Asa (cf. 1 Kings 16:15 , 1 Kings 16:29 ), he cannot in any case have reigned twelve full years; whereas if his reign is to be dated, as it is here, from the thirty-first year of Asa, it is obvious that he would only have reigned seven, or, according to the Jewish mode of reckoning, eight years.... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 16:23-28

Omri's Reign. After a four years' contest with Tibni, the son of Ginath, for the crown of Israel, the followers of Omri prevailed over the adherents of his rival. The issue, then, was that "Tibni died and Omri reigned." Whether Tibni died in battle, or whether, when his followers were overcome, he was taken and put to death, is not written; but the record illustrates how in the revolutions of the wheel of fortune the fall of one makes way for the rise of another. Let us now view this new... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 16:23-28

Omri's Reign. After a four years' contest with Tibni, the son of Ginath, for the crown of Israel, the followers of Omri prevailed over the adherents of his rival. The issue, then, was that "Tibni died and Omri reigned." Whether Tibni died in battle, or whether, when his followers were overcome, he was taken and put to death, is not written; but the record illustrates how in the revolutions of the wheel of fortune the fall of one makes way for the rise of another. Let us now view this new... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 16:24

And he bought [ i.e; after the six years just mentioned. During the four years of anarchy Omri would seem to have retained possession of the capital which he had taken ( 1 Kings 16:18 ) on Zimri's death. But the palace being burnt and the defences perhaps weakened by the siege, he determined, rather than rebuild it, to found a capital elsewhere] the hill Samaria [Heb. Shomeron, called by Herod Sebaste, whence its modern name Sebustieh . In his selection of Samaria for the seat... read more

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