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THE FIRST CAPITAL OF ISRAEL

Shechem was the capital of Israel in the reign of their first king, Jeroboam (1 Kings 12:1). The capital was in the land of Ephraim. It was also the place where Rehoboam was crowned king (1 Kings 12:1).

THE SECOND CAPITAL OF ISRAEL

The second capital was Tirzah. Two kings reigned from there:

1. Elah, son of Baasha (1 Kings 16:8)

2. Omri ruled from Tirzah for the first six years (1 Kings 16:23)

THE EARLIER HISTORY OF ISRAEL THE NORTHERN KINGDOM

The history of Israel in its earlier years was bloody and grim. The kings resorted to bloodshed to establish themselves. Everyone followed the example of Jeroboam in the worship of idols!

1. The house of Jeroboam

a) He reigned for 22 years (1 Kings 14:20).

b) He was succeeded by his son, Nadab who reigned for just two years (1 Kings 15:25).

c) He introduced idolatry (calf worship).

d) His house was destroyed by Baasha who assassinated Nadab and killed those who belonged to Jeroboam’s family.

e) The capital was Shechem and he built Penuel and fortified it to strengthen Shechem as the new capital (1 Kings 12:25).

2. The house of Baasha

a) He reigned for 24 years (1 Kings 15:33).

b) He was succeeded by Elah who reigned only two years; he made Tirzah the new capital (1 Kings 16:8).

c) Elah was killed by Zimri and he reigned in his place (1 Kings 16:10).

d) The house of Baasha was killed by Zimri (this became almost a pattern).

3. The house of Omri

a) Omri defeated Zimri who reigned for only 7 days (1 Kings 16:15).

b) He was the one who established Samaria as the new capital, the third one; he shifted from Tirzah, the second capital (1 Kings 16:24).

c) Omri was the father of Ahab, one of the worst kings of Israel.

d) Ahab ruled for 22 years and he established Samaria as his capital.

THE JUDGMENT AGAINST SAMARIA

The Lord pronounced a solemn judgment against Samaria.

“Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of ruins…”
Micah 1:6