He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill. He bought the hill of Samaria from ShemerThis transaction marks a significant moment in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The purchase of the hill from Shemer indicates a legal and formal acquisition, which was common in ancient Near Eastern practices. The name "Shemer" is preserved in the name of the city, Samaria, suggesting the importance of lineage and heritage in naming conventions. This act of buying land reflects the political and strategic importance of the location, as Samaria would become the capital of the Northern Kingdom. for two talents of silver
The price of two talents of silver signifies a substantial investment, indicating the value of the land. A talent was a large unit of weight, approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms, making this a significant sum. This transaction underscores the economic practices of the time and the importance of silver as a medium of exchange. The investment in Samaria highlights its anticipated role as a central hub for governance and trade. and built a city there
The construction of a city on this hill demonstrates a strategic move to establish a new political and administrative center. Building a city involved significant resources and labor, reflecting the king's intention to create a lasting legacy. The location on a hill provided natural defenses, which was a common consideration in ancient city planning. This city would later become a focal point in the history of Israel, serving as the capital of the Northern Kingdom. calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer
Naming the city Samaria after Shemer, the original owner of the hill, reflects a common practice of honoring previous landowners or significant figures. This naming also serves to legitimize the new city by connecting it to its past. Samaria would become synonymous with the Northern Kingdom, playing a crucial role in its history and identity. The name Samaria is mentioned frequently in the Bible, often in the context of the kingdom's political and spiritual challenges. who had owned the hill
The mention of Shemer as the original owner emphasizes the continuity of land ownership and the importance of heritage. This detail provides a historical anchor for the narrative, linking the new city to its past. The acknowledgment of Shemer's ownership highlights the legal and cultural practices of land transactions in ancient Israel. This connection to the past would have been significant for the inhabitants of Samaria, grounding their new capital in a sense of historical continuity. Persons / Places / Events 1. OmriThe sixth king of Israel, who reigned after Zimri and established a new capital for the Northern Kingdom. 2. ShemerThe original owner of the hill that Omri purchased to build the city of Samaria. 3. SamariaThe city built by Omri, which became the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 4. Two Talents of SilverThe price paid by Omri for the hill, indicating a significant investment in establishing a new capital. 5. The Hill of SamariaThe strategic location chosen by Omri for its defensibility and central position in the Northern Kingdom. Teaching Points The Importance of FoundationsOmri's decision to establish Samaria as the capital shows the importance of laying strong foundations. In our lives, we must ensure that our spiritual and moral foundations are built on Christ, the solid rock. Strategic Decisions and Their ConsequencesOmri's choice of Samaria was strategic, but it also became a center of idolatry and rebellion against God. Our decisions should be guided by wisdom and aligned with God's will to avoid negative consequences. Legacy and InfluenceOmri's legacy was marked by the city he built, which influenced Israel's history. We should consider the legacy we are building and strive to leave a positive, godly influence on those around us. The Cost of LeadershipOmri's investment in Samaria reflects the cost of leadership. As leaders in our families, churches, or communities, we must be willing to invest time, resources, and effort to build and nurture those we lead. God's Sovereignty Over NationsDespite human plans and constructions, God remains sovereign over nations and their destinies. We should trust in His ultimate plan and purpose for our lives and the world. Bible Study Questions 1. What can we learn from Omri's decision to establish Samaria as the capital, and how does this apply to the foundations we lay in our own lives? 2. How does the history of Samaria illustrate the consequences of strategic decisions, and what can we do to ensure our decisions align with God's will? 3. In what ways can we build a positive legacy that influences others for Christ, considering Omri's legacy with Samaria? 4. What are some practical ways we can invest in our leadership roles, following Omri's example of investing in Samaria? 5. How does the account of Samaria remind us of God's sovereignty, and how can this understanding impact our trust in His plans for our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 17:5-6This passage describes the fall of Samaria to the Assyrians, highlighting the city's significance and eventual downfall. Amos 3:9-12The prophet Amos speaks against the injustices in Samaria, showing the city's moral and spiritual decline. John 4:4-42Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well, illustrating the long-lasting cultural and religious impact of Samaria. People Abiram, Ahab, Arza, Asa, Baasha, Elah, Ethbaal, Ginath, Hanani, Hiel, Israelites, Jehu, Jeroboam, Jezebel, Joram, Joshua, Nebat, Nun, Omri, Segub, Shemer, Sidonians, Tibni, Tirzah, Zidon, Zidonians, ZimriPlaces Bethel, Gibbethon, Jericho, Samaria, TirzahTopics Bought, Buildeth, Building, Built, Buyeth, Calleth, Calling, Former, Fortified, Got, Hill, Mount, Named, Naming, Owner, Price, Samaria, Sama'ria, Shemer, Silver, Talents, TownDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 16:24 4363 silver
5240 building
5260 coinage
5615 weights Library Whether the Mode of virtue Falls under the Precept of the Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that the mode of virtue falls under the precept of the law. For the mode of virtue is that deeds of justice should be done justly, that deeds of fortitude should be done bravely, and in like manner as to the other virtues. But it is commanded (Dt. 26:20) that "thou shalt follow justly after that which is just." Therefore the mode of virtue falls under the precept. Objection 2: Further, that which belongs to the intention of the lawgiver comes chiefly under the precept. …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa TheologicaWhether a Man Can be Saved Without Baptism?
Objection 1: It seems that no man can be saved without Baptism. For our Lord said (Jn. 3:5): "Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter the kingdom of God." But those alone are saved who enter God's kingdom. Therefore none can be saved without Baptism, by which a man is born again of water and the Holy Ghost. Objection 2: Further, in the book De Eccl. Dogm. xli, it is written: "We believe that no catechumen, though he die in his good works, will have eternal life, except …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether There Can be any Suitable Cause for the Sacraments of the Old Law?
Objection 1: It would seem that there can be no suitable cause for the sacraments of the Old Law. Because those things that are done for the purpose of divine worship should not be like the observances of idolaters: since it is written (Dt. 12:31): "Thou shalt not do in like manner to the Lord thy God: for they have done to their gods all the abominations which the Lord abhorreth." Now worshippers of idols used to knive themselves to the shedding of blood: for it is related (3 Kings 18:28) that they …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether a Vow Consists in a Mere Purpose of the Will?
Objection 1: It would seem that a vow consists in nothing but a purpose of the will. According to some [*William of Auxerre, Sum. Aur. III, xxviii, qu. 1; Albertus Magnus, Sent. iv, D, 38], "a vow is a conception of a good purpose after a firm deliberation of the mind, whereby a man binds himself before God to do or not to do a certain thing." But the conception of a good purpose and so forth, may consist in a mere movement of the will. Therefore a vow consists in a mere purpose of the will. Objection …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Whoever is Perfect is in the State of Perfection?
Objection 1: It would seem that whoever is perfect is in the state of perfection. For, as stated above (A[3], ad 3), just as bodily perfection is reached by bodily growth, so spiritual perfection is acquired by spiritual growth. Now after bodily growth one is said to have reached the state of perfect age. Therefore seemingly also after spiritual growth, when one has already reached spiritual perfection, one is in the state of perfection. Objection 2: Further, according to Phys. v, 2, movement "from …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether after the Resurrection Every one Will Know what Sins He Has Committed?
Objection 1: It seems that after the resurrection everyone will not be able to know all the sins he has committed. For whatever we know, either we receive it anew through the senses, or we draw it from the treasure house of the memory. Now after the resurrection men will be unable to perceive their sins by means of sense, because they will be things of the past, while sense perceives only the present: and many sins will have escaped the sinner's memory, and he will be unable to recall them from the …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
Assur-nazir-pal (885-860) and Shalmaneser III. (860-825)--The kingdom of Urartu and its conquering princes: Menuas and Argistis. Assyria was the first to reappear on the scene of action. Less hampered by an ancient past than Egypt and Chaldaea, she was the sooner able to recover her strength after any disastrous crisis, and to assume again the offensive along the whole of her frontier line. Image Drawn by Faucher-Gudin, from a bas-relief at Koyunjik of the time of Sennacherib. The initial cut, …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 16:24 NIV1 Kings 16:24 NLT1 Kings 16:24 ESV1 Kings 16:24 NASB1 Kings 16:24 KJV
1 Kings 16:24 Commentaries
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