Topical Bible: Israel: The City of Samaria Besieged

◄ Israel: The City of Samaria Besieged ►

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The city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history, particularly during the period of its siege. The siege of Samaria is a pivotal event that underscores the themes of divine judgment, human desperation, and eventual deliverance. This entry explores the historical and theological aspects of the siege as recorded in the biblical narrative.

Historical Context

Samaria was established as the capital of the Northern Kingdom by King Omri around 880 BC (1 Kings 16:24). It became a central hub of political and religious activity, often characterized by idolatry and apostasy, which led to numerous prophetic warnings. The city was strategically located on a hill, making it a formidable fortress against invaders.

The Siege by Ben-Hadad

One of the most notable sieges of Samaria occurred during the reign of King Ahab's son, Jehoram (also known as Joram). Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram (Syria), laid siege to Samaria, leading to a severe famine within the city. The biblical account in 2 Kings 6:24-25 states, "Some time later, Ben-Hadad king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. So there was a great famine in Samaria, and they besieged it until a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung for five shekels of silver."

The dire conditions led to extreme measures among the inhabitants, including cannibalism, as recorded in 2 Kings 6:28-29. The king of Israel, in his desperation, sought the counsel of the prophet Elisha, who prophesied deliverance.

Divine Intervention and Deliverance

Elisha's prophecy, as recorded in 2 Kings 7:1 , declared, "Hear the word of the LORD. This is what the LORD says: 'About this time tomorrow at the gate of Samaria, six quarts of fine flour will sell for a shekel, and twelve quarts of barley will sell for a shekel.'" Skepticism was evident among the king's officers, yet the prophecy was fulfilled miraculously.

The Aramean army, struck by a divinely induced panic, abandoned their camp, leaving behind food and supplies. The lepers at the city gate discovered the deserted camp and reported it to the city, leading to the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy and the end of the famine (2 Kings 7:6-16).

Theological Significance

The siege of Samaria serves as a profound illustration of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. Despite Israel's persistent idolatry and rebellion, God provided deliverance in response to the faith and intercession of His prophet. The event highlights the themes of judgment and mercy, demonstrating that while God allows consequences for sin, He also offers redemption and hope.

The narrative also underscores the importance of faith in God's promises, as seen in the contrast between the skepticism of the king's officer and the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy. The siege of Samaria remains a testament to the power of God to intervene in seemingly hopeless situations, providing a foreshadowing of the ultimate deliverance found in Christ.

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2 Kings 6:24-33
And it came to pass after this, that Benhadad king of Syria gathered all his host, and went up, and besieged Samaria.
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2 Kings 7:1
Then Elisha said, Hear you the word of the LORD; Thus said the LORD, To morrow about this time shall a measure of fine flour be sold for a shekel, and two measures of barley for a shekel, in the gate of Samaria.
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Library

The Woman of Samaria
... he came on into the land of Israel, besieged Samaria for three ... was left to them,
but the mere city of Jerusalem ... their brethren, the people of Israel, who ought ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

Elisha's Way of Treating Enemies
... piece of silver in the gate of Samaria.'" Then the charioteer on whose arm the ruler
of Israel leaned answered ... If we say, 'We will enter the city,' then, since ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/elishas way of treating enemies.htm

How Upon the Death of Jotham, Ahaz Reigned in his Stead; against ...
... Obed, who was a prophet at that time in Samaria; he met the army before the city
walls, and ... So the people of Israel came together to their assembly, and ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how upon the.htm

How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ...
... had it told him, that [Hoshea] the king of Israel had sent ... but when he was not admitted
[into the city] by the king, [24] he besieged Samaria three years ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 14 how shalmaneser took.htm

Jehoram Succeeds Jehoshaphat; How Joram, his Namesake, King of ...
... more secret attempts upon the king of Israel, out of ... match for him, shut himself
up in Samaria, and depended ... Benhadad supposed he should take the city, if not ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 4 jehoram succeeds jehoshaphat.htm

Elisha's Closing Ministry
... king, Hazael, the Syrian hosts surrounded Samaria and besieged it ... peace." Quickly
they returned to the city with the ... of the Lord" through His prophet in Israel. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 21 elishas closing ministry.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... name in the inscription of Shalmaneser III Israel is mentioned ... it was Sargon who
overcame the city soon after ... of Omri." In another he says: "Samaria I besieged ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Where to Find Fruit
... Living souls must have food to feed upon, or however well housed, they would be
comparable to the king of Israel in the besieged city of Samaria. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/where to find fruit.htm

Absolute Surrender
... and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against
it. And he sent messengers to Ahab king of Israel into the city, and said ...
//christianbookshelf.org/murray/absolute surrender/absolute surrender.htm

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... 4. For this the Assyrian king besieged him in Samaria, and after a siege of three
years, took him with the city, and put an end to the kingdom of Israel in the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm