1 Kings 15:27–16:33
One of King Nadab’s servants was named Baasha. He plotted against Nadab, killed him, and made himself king. As Ahijah prophesied, Baasha killed Jeroboam’s family because of Jeroboam’s leading Israel to idolotry.
God sent Jehu to prophesy against Baasha: “I lifted you from the dust. I made you Israel’s prince. But you’ve lived like Jeroboam and made Israel sin. I’ll make your family just like Jeroboam’s. They’ll all be destroyed.”
When Baasha died, his son Elah became king. Elah’s servant Zimri killed him and his family and tried to become king. Instead, Omri and the Israelite army trapped him in his palace. Zimri set it on fire and burned with it. Omri became king.
Like the other kings, Omri worshiped idols. But his kingdom was strong and he made peace with Judah. Omri built the city of Samaria on a hilltop. In the south, Jerusalem was the main city of Judah. In the north, Samaria was the main city of Israel.
After Omri came the worst king of all—Ahab. His wife, Jezebel, hunted God’s prophets and killed them.
Questions: Why were Nadab and Jeroboam’s family killed? What was Samaria?