Contrary to popular belief, Jews were not uniformly monotheistic until the Babylonian Exile times. While the Kingdom of Judah was monotheistic, with King Solomon’s Temple serving one God, the far more powerful (from a historical sense), Kingdom of Israel especially under King Omri and later, his son Ahab, had much influence from the Phoenicians (a Semitic tribe to the North), and other non-Judean Semitic and non-Semitic entities due to strategic alliance and trade.

These details also make sense as Jews literally emerged from the Semitic tribes in the Hill Country (Judea & Samaria) of Canaan, and it was not a drastic spread of monotheism, but a very slow process.

Even among the southern Judean tribes, it was the Priestly class who adopted monotheism first with the plebian classes following suit once the rules of a monotheistic society were fully formed, which included punishments meted out for not following the faith and culture.

In the Kingdom of Israel, there were pilgrimage sites dedicated to both god and non-monotheistic entities. Asherah, goddess of fertility, being one of them, with then more focus on the deity Baal, which was an influence from the Phoenicians. Hence, the Bible describes King Omri in a negative light.

However, both historians and archeologists are now shifting focus to highlight King Omri as one of the most impactful leaders of ancient Judean (Jews lived in both the Kingdom of Israel and Kingdom of Judea – same people, different Kingdoms) times. The Kingdom of Israel was the most populated in the region, and was in Samaria, named after the first capital city of the area. In historical reality, it was Omri (who ruled from 885 – 874 BC), King of Israel, who established the first real Kingdom, with modern experts viewing Kings David & Solomon as heads of tribal federations. Omri was the first king of either Israel or Judah who is mentioned by historical sources outside of the Bible. His dynasty, which included his son, Ahab, ruled the Kingdom of Israel for 50 years, and ended 50 years of civil wars within the Kingdom. Further, King Omri made peace with the Phoenicians (a Semitic tribe) up North, conquered the Moabites, and traded with the Arameans in Syria. The Kingdom of Israel, overall, lasted 150 years before being defeated.

“Israeli archaeologist Israel Finkelstein (2001) refers to Omri’s reign as “Israel’s forgotten first kingdom.” He notes that during the earlier reigns of David and Solomon, “political organization in the region had not yet reached the stage where extensive bureaucracies” had developed. This had changed by the time of the Omrides, however. Finkelstein and his colleagues have also done extensive work on large buildings formally attributed to Solomon, which he now dates as originating in Omri’s days.”

Any culture can have stories about their people and exalted leaders, but if there is no outside corroboration, then it cannot be used as historical fact of existence. The Kings of the United Monarchy (Saul, David, and Solomon) have such corroboration by non-Judean written accounts and artifacts. King Omri of the Kingdom of Israel was prevalently mentioned in his time’s steles (stone tablets) from outside tribes. The Moabite Stone (the Mesha stele) found in Israel East aka ‘Jordan’ being one of them, dating back to the 9^th century BC. It recorded the uprisings of the Kingdom of Moab against Israel.

The stele also contains one of the earliest known references to the term ‘House of David’ and is one of four known inscriptions containing the name Israel.

“In the Tel Dan inscription, a Syrian king (probably Hazael) admits that “the kings of Israel entered my father’s land,” indicating that the Omride dynasty-controlled territory in Syria, stretching south through Moab. A sizable army is also evidenced, as shown in the inscription of the Assyrian leader Shalmaneser III (858–824 B.C.E.) who refers to an opposing force of 2,000 chariots and 10,000 footsoldiers belonging to Omri’s son, “Ahab the Israelite.”

By the 9^th century BC, Assyrian sources ascertain that the Israel Kingdom army emerged as master charioteers. They used heavily fortified, tank-like chariots which were drawn by large-breed horses originating from Kush (Nubia). The Samaritan chariot crews introduced these chariots and horses to the Assyrian army, who widely used the battle accessories to the point it was no longer associated with the Kingdom of Israel as originators.

“Assyrian written documents referred to Israel as the “land of the house of Omri,” or the “land of Omri” for nearly 150 years. Even Jehu, who ended the Omride dynasty, was mistakenly called “the son of Omri” by Shalmaneser II.

Archaeological evidence regarding the construction of palaces, stables, and store cities indicates that Israel under the Omrides had surpassed its southern neighbor. The site of Omri and Ahab’s impressive palace at Samaria has been uncovered for more than a century. Moreover, recent investigations have reassigned the dates of several important structures formerly attributed to Solomon to the time of Omri and Ahab. Impressive fortifications, administrative centers, and other improvements at Megiddo and Hazor led Finklestein and others to conclude that “The Omrides, not Solomon, established the first fully developed monarchy in Israel.”

So it is not surprising that from a Biblical standpoint, King Omri, was not seen in the most positive light – he allowed pagan worship in his Kingdom, strategically married-off Jews to merge forces with the Phoenician Royal Court, and at times even helped outside allies attack the Kingdom of Judah (though to be fair, the Kingdom of Judah was not a steadfast friend to its people up north. The Battle of Mount Zemaraim was a significant battle between the two kingdoms. And, after King Amaziah of Judah went south to war with the Semitic Edomites, his mercenaries returned north and ravaged some of Judah’s towns, leading King Amaziah to declare war on Israel.

In other times, the Kingdoms of Syria and Israel allied against Judah, attempting to force them into an anti-Assyrian alliance. The Kingdom of Judah would have its final revenge in that it indirectly helped bring down the Kingdom of Israel in 722 BC. The Kingdom of Judah’s decision to side with the Assyrians against the Kingdom of Israel was influenced by a combination of political, military, and strategic factors during the 8th century BC:

• Threat from Kingdom of Israel and Aram (Syria) – During this period, Israel formed an alliance with Syria to resist Assyrian expansion. This coalition posed a significant threat to the Kingdom of Judah, as Israel sought to dominate the smaller kingdom to the south (Judah).
• Assyrian Power: The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force and its expansion campaigns threatened both Israel and Judah. Aligning with Assyria, ensured Judah security and stability. The Assyrians at the time were seen as powerful allies against the aggressive actions of Aram (Syria) and Israel.
• Internal power struggles – King Ahaz of Judah, who ruled during this time, faced both internal and external pressures. By seeking Assyrian support, he aimed to strengthen his position as king; the alliance was also a way to maintain control over Judea amid regional threats.

Although not the picture of perfect piety, despite no evidence of King Omri himself worshipping pagan gods, he allowed the practice widely in his Kingdom, Jews in Israel post-liberation in 1948 have viewed him far more positively. He was a true warrior king, ended constant civil wars, advanced the power of the Jewish people regionally, all while expanding territory (the future Hasmonean Dynasty would take inspiration from King Omri regarding expansion to Samaria, Idumea, Galilee, west to Gaza, south to the Negev, and east of the former Moab tribe territory), and one who also built up Samaria as a showcase opulent capital.

Although the Kingdom of Israel ended up falling to the Assyrians, it was not while King Omri was alive, but his later successors.

Many Israeli men are named after King Omri.

Omri’s granddaughter Athaliah married Jehoram, king of Judah, and her grandson, Jehoash of Judah (8^th King of Judah), survived to have royal sons of his own.