Amon: Governor of the City of Samaria
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Amon, a figure mentioned in the context of the governance of Samaria, is a lesser-known individual in the biblical narrative. His role as governor places him in a position of authority during a tumultuous period in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, was a significant city both politically and religiously, and its governance was crucial to the stability of the region.

Historical Context

The city of Samaria was established by King Omri and became the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. It was a center of political power and religious activity, often associated with the worship of Baal and other Canaanite deities, which was a point of contention with the prophets of Yahweh. The governance of Samaria was critical, especially during times of political upheaval and foreign threats.

Role and Responsibilities

As governor, Amon would have been responsible for the administration of the city, maintaining order, and implementing the decrees of the king. His duties likely included overseeing the city's defenses, managing trade and economic activities, and ensuring the collection of taxes. The governor would also have played a role in the religious life of the city, which often involved navigating the complex relationship between the worship of Yahweh and the prevalent idolatry.

Biblical References

While Amon is not extensively detailed in the biblical text, his position as governor is indicative of the administrative structure present in the Northern Kingdom. The Bible often references the governance of cities like Samaria in the context of the broader narrative of Israel's faithfulness or apostasy. For example, the prophets frequently addressed the leaders of Samaria, calling them to repentance and warning of impending judgment due to idolatry and injustice.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, the governance of Samaria, including figures like Amon, serves as a backdrop to the prophetic messages delivered by figures such as Elijah and Elisha. These prophets confronted the political and religious leaders of Samaria, challenging them to return to the covenantal faithfulness required by Yahweh. The role of governors like Amon highlights the tension between political power and spiritual obedience, a recurring theme in the biblical narrative.

Legacy

The legacy of Amon as governor is intertwined with the fate of Samaria itself. The city eventually fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC, a culmination of the Northern Kingdom's persistent idolatry and failure to heed prophetic warnings. The governance of Samaria, including the roles played by its leaders, is a testament to the complex interplay of political authority and religious fidelity in the history of Israel.
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1 Kings 22:26
And the king of Israel said, Take Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
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2 Chronicles 18:25
Then the king of Israel said, Take you Micaiah, and carry him back to Amon the governor of the city, and to Joash the king's son;
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Library

Concerning Jehoshaphat the King of Jerusalem and How Ahab Made an ...
... Then did the king give orders that they should take Micaiah away, and guard him
to Amon, the governor of the city, and to give him nothing but bread and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 15 concerning jehoshaphat the.htm

Micaiah's Courage in Telling the Truth
... the day when you shall go from one hiding-place to another." Then the ruler of Israel
said, "Take Micaiah back to Amon, the governor of the city, and to ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/micaiahs courage in telling the.htm

The Antiquities of the Jews
... Amon Reigned Instead Of Manasseh; And After Amon Reigned Josiah ... Their Gates Against
Him Besieged The City And Took It ... Chosen By The Arabs To Be Governor Of That ...
//christianbookshelf.org/josephus/the antiquities of the jews/

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... its overthrow, summoned up courage to rid itself of its governor. ... Oxyrhynchus,
Hermopolis, Siut, Thinis, and Thebes, the famous city of Amon, enthroned on ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... to the throne, had been appointed by his father governor of the ... of the Lord,* and
he was master in his own city of Jerusalem or Samaria, but his ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... for the worse under such kings as Manasseh and Amon; nor could ... joint king with his
father he may have been governor of Babylon, when the city was taken ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Appendices
... of Judah by Sennacherib 701 Manasseh 697 Amon 642 Josiah ... Not a single governor remains
(among them) to the king my ... been slain in the gate of the city of Zilu ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.htm

How the Bishop is to Treat the Innocent, the Guilty, and the ...
... For, observing what a person their governor is, through his ... in Jerusalem, and he
cast them out of the city. ... slept in peace with his fathers; and Amon his son ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec iii how the bishop is.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... well as of the installation of the governor to whom ... This rebuilding of the ancient
city certainly displeased and ... of the "Divine Spouse" of Amon, presented her ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Last Days of the Old Eastern World
... was inclined to follow their advice; but Histiasus, the governor of Miletus ... to recall
the exiles, and, on their refusing (506),* their city became thenceforward ...
/.../chapter iithe last days of 2.htm

Resources
Summary of the Book of Nahum - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

Questions about People in the Bible (All) | GotQuestions.org

Who was Huldah the prophetess in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Amon

Amon or Amen

Amon: Ancestor of One of the Families of the Nethinim

Amon: Ancestor of One of the Families of the Nethinim: Called Ami

Amon: Governor of the City of Samaria

Amon: King of Judah

Related Terms

No-amon (1 Occurrence)

Amon's (1 Occurrence)

Noamon

No (18543 Occurrences)

Ashurbanipal (1 Occurrence)

Josi'ah (50 Occurrences)

Uzza (10 Occurrences)

Meshullemeth (1 Occurrence)

Conspired (32 Occurrences)

Josias (2 Occurrences)

Jotbah (4 Occurrences)

Thirteenth (12 Occurrences)

Ezekias (2 Occurrences)

Plotted (21 Occurrences)

Begat (112 Occurrences)

Conspiring (4 Occurrences)

Shishak (6 Occurrences)

Twenty-two (26 Occurrences)

Hezeki'ah (120 Occurrences)

Micai'ah (27 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Manasses (1 Occurrence)

Jo'ash (44 Occurrences)

Egypt (596 Occurrences)

Manas'seh (123 Occurrences)

Baal (94 Occurrences)

Thebes (5 Occurrences)

Stead (117 Occurrences)

Nob (6 Occurrences)

Reigning (57 Occurrences)

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)

Seize (91 Occurrences)

Haruz (1 Occurrence)

Joash (49 Occurrences)

Slept (74 Occurrences)

Rested (81 Occurrences)

Succeeded (81 Occurrences)

Design (84 Occurrences)

Canaan (102 Occurrences)

Amongst (47 Occurrences)

Canaanites (63 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Zebaim (2 Occurrences)

Uzzah (10 Occurrences)

Incurred (9 Occurrences)

Tirhakah (2 Occurrences)

Trespassed (28 Occurrences)

Twenty-three (15 Occurrences)

Rampart (9 Occurrences)

Earthwork (7 Occurrences)

Meshul'lemeth (1 Occurrence)

Memphis (8 Occurrences)

Pochereth (2 Occurrences)

Persistently (16 Occurrences)

Po'chereth-hazzeba'im (2 Occurrences)

Pochereth-hazzebaim (2 Occurrences)

Put (13688 Occurrences)

Pokereth-hazzebaim (2 Occurrences)

Betimes (17 Occurrences)

Bell (3 Occurrences)

Cushi (7 Occurrences)

Conspirators (2 Occurrences)

Conspire (18 Occurrences)

Consisted (6 Occurrences)

Amomum (1 Occurrence)

Assassinated (10 Occurrences)

Alexandria (4 Occurrences)

Allom

Among (9675 Occurrences)

Ami (1 Occurrence)

Shephati'ah (12 Occurrences)

Serveth (24 Occurrences)

Shephatiah (13 Occurrences)

Situate (2 Occurrences)

Situated (6 Occurrences)

Hazzebaim (2 Occurrences)

Carved (36 Occurrences)

Hizkiah (2 Occurrences)

Amon: Ancestor of One of the Families of the Nethinim: Called Ami
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