Then the people of Israel were divided into two parts. Half of the people followed Tibni the son of Ginath, to make him king, and half followed Omri.
Solomon observes (Pro 28:2) that for the transgression of a land many were the princes thereof (so it was here in Israel), but by a man of understanding the state thereof shall be prolonged - so it was with Judah at the same time under Asa. When men forsake God they are out of the way of rest and establishment.
Commenting on 1 Kings 16:15-28
For he walked in the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin,.... Worshipping the calves; to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger with their vanities; these, and whatsoever idols else were worshipped by him, see Kg1 16:13.
Then were the people of Israel divided into two parts--The factions that ensued occasioned a four years' duration (compare Kg1 16:15 with Kg1 16:23), of anarchy or civil war. Whatever might be the public opinion of Omri's merits a large body of the people disapproved of the mode of his election, and declared for Tibni.