Now the rest of the acts of Omri, which he did, and his might which he showed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? Where those of the preceding kings were written, see 1 Kings 14:19 . read more
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
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
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
The Seed of Evil doers. The subject before us furnishes illustration of the following propositions, viz.: I. WICKED ARE THE SEED OF THE WICKED . 1 . There is a sense in which this is generally true . 2 . There is a sense in which this is universally true. II. THE TRIUMPHING OF THE WICKED IS SHORT . 1 . How brief was the reign of these kings! 2 . How little happiness had they in their rule! III. THE END OF THE WICKED ... read more
God's threatenings find at last a complete fulfilment. I. THE LAST STEP IN A CAREER OF REBELLION AND FOLLY . Nadab might have been warned. His way to the throne was opened up by God's judgment in the removal of Abijah. He must have heard of the Divine threatenings; he might have seen the evil results of his father's sin. But in the face of all these things he adopted the sinful policy of his father. 1 . " He did evil in the sight of the Lord ." His heart and... read more
Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he showed [Not only in the war with Tibni, but certainly in the subjugation of the Moabites, of which mention is made in the recently discovered Moabite stone . He may well have had other wars, which, like this, have escaped notice in Scripture. If the king of Syria spoke truly ( 1 Kings 20:34 ), the war with that power had been extremely disastrous. Yet the Assyrian inscriptions prove that Omri's name was more widely... read more
His might - Perhaps in the war between Israel and Syria of Damascus (1 Kings 20:1, etc.), during the reign of Omri. Its issue was very disadvantageous to him 1Ki 20:34; 1 Kings 22:2. read more
The dynasty of Omri established (16:21-28)Confusion followed Zimri’s death. Omri seized the throne but was challenged by Tibni. There was civil war for four years (see v. 15,23) before Omri was officially crowned king. Two years later he moved his capital from Tirzah to Samaria, which remained the capital till the end of the northern kingdom. It was an excellent site for a capital and enabled later kings to withstand fierce attacks and strong sieges (21-24).During the remaining six years of his... read more
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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