19. So Zimri died because he sinned and did what the Lord said was wrong, just as Jeroboam did when he caused the Israelites to sin.
20. The story about Zimri’s secret plans and the other things that he did are written in the book, The History of the Kings of Israel.
21. Then the Israelites were divided. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath and wanted to make him king. The other half of the people followed Omri.
22. But Omri’s followers were stronger than the followers of Tibni son of Ginath. Tibni died, and Omri became king.
23. Omri became king of Israel during Asa’s 31st year as the king of Judah. Omri ruled over Israel for 12 years. Six of those years he ruled from Tirzah.
24. Then Omri bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for about 150 pounds of silver. Omri built a city on that hill. He named the city Samaria after the name of its owner, Shemer.
25. Omri did what the Lord said was wrong. He was worse than all the kings who were before him.