21. At that time the people of Israel were divided in their loyalties. Half the people supported Tibni son of Ginath and wanted to make him king; the other half supported Omri.
22. Omri’s supporters were stronger than those who supported Tibni son of Ginath. Tibni died; Omri became king.
23. In the thirty-first year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri became king over Israel. He ruled for twelve years, six of them in Tirzah.
24. He purchased the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver. He launched a construction project there and named the city he built after Shemer, the former owner of the hill of Samaria.
25. Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him.
26. He followed in the footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat and encouraged Israel to sin; they angered the Lord God of Israel with their worthless idols.
27. The rest of the events of Omri’s reign, including his accomplishments and successes, are recorded in the scroll called the Annals of the Kings of Israel.
28. Omri passed away and was buried in Samaria. His son Ahab replaced him as king.
29. In the thirty-eighth year of Asa’s reign over Judah, Omri’s son Ahab became king over Israel. Ahab son of Omri ruled over Israel for twenty-two years in Samaria.
30. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the sight of the Lord than all who were before him.
31. As if following in the sinful footsteps of Jeroboam son of Nebat were not bad enough, he married Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal of the Sidonians. Then he worshiped and bowed to Baal.
32. He set up an altar for Baal in the temple of Baal he had built in Samaria.
33. Ahab also made an Asherah pole; he did more to anger the Lord God of Israel than all the kings of Israel who were before him.
34. During Ahab’s reign, Hiel the Bethelite rebuilt Jericho. Abiram, his firstborn son, died when he laid the foundation; Segub, his youngest son, died when he erected its gates, just as the Lord had warned through Joshua son of Nun.