Historical Background

Samaria, the ancient city that became the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. It was established by King Omri, who reigned from approximately 885 to 874 BC. Omri is noted for his political and military prowess, and his establishment of Samaria as the capital marked a pivotal moment in the history of Israel.

Biblical Account

The foundation of Samaria is recorded in 1 Kings 16:24 : "He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill. He named the city he built Samaria, after Shemer, the owner of the hill." This strategic location provided a defensible position and a central location for governance and trade.

Significance in Israel's History

Under Omri and his successors, Samaria became a center of political power and cultural development. The city was known for its impressive architecture and fortifications, which reflected the wealth and influence of the Northern Kingdom. However, it was also a place where idolatry and syncretism flourished, as subsequent kings, including Ahab, Omri's son, led the people into the worship of Baal and other foreign deities.

The prophets of Israel, such as Elijah and Elisha, frequently confronted the rulers of Samaria, calling them back to the worship of Yahweh. The spiritual decline of Samaria is highlighted in passages like 1 Kings 16:30-33 , which describes Ahab's reign: "Ahab son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD, more than all who were before him... Ahab also made an Asherah pole and did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel before him."

Prophetic Warnings and Judgment

The prophets Amos and Hosea delivered stern warnings to the inhabitants of Samaria, condemning their social injustices and idolatry. Amos 3:9 declares, "Proclaim to the citadels of Ashdod and to the citadels of Egypt: 'Assemble on the mountains of Samaria; see the great unrest in the city and the acts of oppression in her midst.'" Hosea 7:1 also speaks of the city's corruption: "When I heal Israel, the iniquity of Ephraim is exposed and the crimes of Samaria revealed. They practice deceit; thieves break in, and bandits raid in the streets."

Ultimately, the persistent disobedience and idolatry led to Samaria's downfall. In 722 BC, the Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, besieged and captured the city, leading to the exile of many Israelites. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 17:6 : "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes."

Legacy

The fall of Samaria marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and served as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God. Despite its destruction, the legacy of Samaria continued to influence the region, as seen in the New Testament, where the Samaritans, descendants of those who remained, played a role in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) and Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:1-42) highlight the enduring significance of this region in biblical narrative and theology.1 Kings 16:23,24
In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Nations of the South-East
... a few "Arabisms," a few traces of its ancient contact with ... discovered among the ruins
of his capital, Dibon ... Moab was permanently lost to the kingdom of Samaria. ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Questions.
... 3. What remains have we of the ancient Egyptians? ... 6. What city did Omri make his
capital? ... 24. How did Esarhaddon fill the empty land of Samaria? 25. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the help of a powerful ally.** The capital of Israel ... the temple and priesthood of
Samaria never succeeded ... the prestige enjoyed by the ancient oracles, though ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The ancient empire of Babylonia in western Asia was to ... the same time of overthrowing
both Damascus and Samaria. ... was closely besieged in his capital, while the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... He built a flotilla at Shuru in Bit-Khalupi on ... they had been assimilated to more
ancient gods bearing ... to make a direct attack on his capital, Kunulua, whither ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Benhadad I.--- Omri and the foundation of Samaria: Ahab and ... in ver.15 the name of
the capital of Eglon ... The ancient sanctuary of Shiloh still continued to be ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

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