Read Verse Keyword Strong's
Prev

1 Kings 16:25

Next

But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that [were] before him.

But Omri {H6018} wrought {H6213} evil {H7451} in the eyes {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, and did worse {H7489} than all that were before {H6440} him.

'Omri did what was evil from ADONAI's perspective, outdoing all his predecessors in wickedness;

But Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him.

And Omri did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and dealt wickedly above all that were before him.

Commentary

Context

1 Kings 16:25 introduces King Omri, who reigned over the Northern Kingdom of Israel. His ascent to power was marked by significant political turmoil, including a civil war with Tibni, as detailed in 1 Kings 16:21-22. Omri established Samaria as his capital, a strategic move that significantly shaped the future of Israel. This verse, however, focuses not on his political or architectural achievements, but on his spiritual standing before God. The period of the Divided Monarchy (Israel and Judah) was characterized by a succession of kings in the North who largely led the people into deeper idolatry and disobedience, departing from the covenant established with God.

Key Themes

  • Escalation of Wickedness: The core message is Omri's profound spiritual failure. The phrase "did worse than all that [were] before him" highlights a tragic pattern of increasing apostasy in the Northern Kingdom. While kings like Jeroboam had introduced calf worship (1 Kings 12:28-30), Omri's reign apparently intensified the nation's spiritual decline, paving the way for the even greater evils of his son, Ahab (1 Kings 16:30).
  • Divine Judgment and Disapproval: The phrase "wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD" is a recurring biblical assessment of a king's moral and spiritual performance. It signifies God's direct disapproval of Omri's actions, particularly his leadership in spiritual matters. This divine perspective emphasizes that true kingship is measured not by political success but by faithfulness to God's covenant.
  • Leadership's Impact: Omri's actions had lasting consequences, setting a precedent for future generations and embedding idolatry more deeply into the fabric of Israelite society. His policies and spiritual choices influenced the entire nation.

Linguistic Insights

The expression "wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD" (Hebrew: vayya'as hara' b'einei Yahweh) is a standard prophetic judgment phrase used throughout the books of Kings and Chronicles. It indicates that the king's actions were morally reprehensible and contrary to God's will, particularly in matters of worship and justice. It's a theological statement, not merely a historical observation, underscoring God's active involvement in assessing human conduct and leadership.

Related Scriptures

  • For the full account of Omri's reign and legacy, see 1 Kings 16:23-28.
  • The depth of Omri's sin is further illuminated by the prophet Micah, who later refers to "the statutes of Omri" as a byword for wickedness (Micah 6:16).
  • Compare Omri's wickedness to the initial sins of Jeroboam, who first led Israel astray with idolatry: 1 Kings 14:16.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the profound impact of leadership, both spiritual and secular. Omri's story teaches us that:

  • Moral Accountability: Every individual, especially those in positions of influence, is accountable to God for their actions and decisions. God observes and judges all conduct, not just outward appearances.
  • The Slippery Slope of Sin: Sin has a cumulative effect. Omri's actions built upon the sins of his predecessors, leading to a deeper moral decay that eventually brought severe consequences upon the nation. It highlights the danger of escalating disobedience and the importance of repentance.
  • Spiritual Priorities: True success is not measured by political stability, wealth, or power, but by faithfulness to God. Omri's reign, while perhaps politically strong, was a spiritual failure in the eyes of the LORD. This calls us to prioritize spiritual integrity over worldly achievements.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Micah 6:16 (5 votes)

    For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people.

  • 1 Kings 16:33 (3 votes)

    And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him.

  • 1 Kings 14:9 (3 votes)

    But hast done evil above all that were before thee: for thou hast gone and made thee other gods, and molten images, to provoke me to anger, and hast cast me behind thy back:

  • 1 Kings 16:30 (3 votes)

    And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that [were] before him.

  • 1 Kings 16:31 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.