²⁵Omri did what the Lord considered evil. He did more evil things than all ⸤the kings⸥ before him. ²⁶He lived exactly like Jeroboam (Nebat’s son). He sinned and led Israel to sin with worthless idols, and the Israelites made the Lord God of Israel furious.

²⁷Isn’t everything else about Omri—what he did and his heroic acts—written in the official records of the kings of Israel? ²⁸Omri lay down in death with his ancestors and was buried in Samaria. His son Ahab succeeded him as king.

King Ahab Introduces Worship of Baal into Israel

²⁹Ahab, son of Omri, began to rule Israel in Asa’s thirty-eighth year as king of Judah. He ruled for 22 years in Samaria. ³⁰Ahab, son of Omri, did what the Lord considered evil. He was worse than all ⸤the kings⸥ who were before him. ³¹It wasn’t enough that he committed the same sins as Jeroboam (Nebat’s son). He also married Jezebel, daughter of King Ethbaal of Sidon. Ahab then served and worshiped Baal. ³²He built the temple of Baal in Samaria and set up an altar there. ³³Ahab made poles dedicated to the goddess Asherah. He did more to make the Lord God of Israel furious than all the kings of Israel who came before him.

³⁴In Ahab’s time Hiel from Bethel rebuilt Jericho.

Laying the foundation

cost him his firstborn son, Abiram.

Setting up the city doors

cost him his youngest son, Segub.

The Lord had spoken this through Joshua, son of Nun.

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