King Omri of Israel

King Omri of Israel: Overthrew the weak King Zimri and proclaimed himself king. Reigned from 751-740 BCE. Popular support was split between Omri and Tibni ben Ginath, but Omri’s supporters prevailed, and Omri succeeded in establishing the first lasting Israelite dynasty. Omri moved the capital of the Kingdom of Israel from Tirzah to Samaria, where it remained until the end of the Israelite monarchy. Although Omri stabilized and strengthened Israel politically, he left Israel in the sad spiritual state in which his predecessors had left it.