Historical Background

Samaria, the capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was established by King Omri around 880 BC. Omri, who reigned from approximately 885 to 874 BC, purchased the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and fortified it, naming the city after the original owner of the land (1 Kings 16:24). This strategic location provided a defensible position and became the political and cultural center of the Northern Kingdom.

Omri's Reign and Influence

Omri's reign marked a significant period in the history of Israel. He is noted for his political acumen and for establishing a dynasty that would last for several generations. Despite his achievements, Omri's reign is often criticized in the biblical narrative for perpetuating idolatry and leading Israel further away from the worship of Yahweh. The Bible records that Omri "did evil in the sight of the LORD and acted more wickedly than all who were before him" (1 Kings 16:25).

Idolatry in Samaria

The city of Samaria became a center for idolatrous practices, which were introduced and expanded under Omri and his successors. The most infamous of these was Ahab, Omri's son, who married Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. Under their rule, the worship of Baal and Asherah was promoted, leading to widespread apostasy among the Israelites. The Bible recounts that Ahab "did more to provoke the LORD, the God of Israel, to anger than all the kings of Israel who were before him" (1 Kings 16:33).

The prophets Elijah and Elisha were active during this period, confronting the idolatry and calling the people back to the worship of the one true God. Elijah's dramatic confrontation with the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18) is a notable example of the struggle against the idolatrous practices centered in Samaria.

Prophetic Condemnation

The prophets Amos and Hosea also condemned the idolatry and social injustices prevalent in Samaria. Amos warned of impending judgment, declaring, "I will destroy the winter house along with the summer house; the houses of ivory will be destroyed, and the great houses will come to an end" (Amos 3:15). Hosea lamented the spiritual adultery of Israel, likening the nation to an unfaithful spouse (Hosea 2:2-5).

Destruction and Legacy

The idolatry and moral decay of Samaria ultimately led to its 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 the Israelites and the end of the Northern Kingdom (2 Kings 17:5-6). The Assyrians repopulated the area with people from other conquered lands, leading to the emergence of the Samaritans, a mixed population with a syncretistic form of worship.

Samaria's legacy is a sobering reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and embracing idolatry. The biblical narrative consistently highlights the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of compromising with pagan practices.1 Kings 16:32
And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.
Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 13:6
Nevertheless they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam, who made Israel sin, but walked therein: and there remained the grove also in Samaria.)
Nave's Topical Index

The Record of Two Kings
... the hill, and called the name of the city which he ... fact told of the father is that
he built Samaria, and his ... 16, mention is made of the statutes of Omri, as if ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... the inheritance of Issachar; but he built Samaria in the ... whose capital was at Damascus,
a city which is ... slaughtered by the rulers of Samaria; the worshippers ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

National Apostasy
... an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria." Verses 31 ...
Not only did Ahab introduce Baal worship at the capital city, but under the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 8 national apostasy.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... it said; "let the city of Sihon be built and fortified. ... Moab was permanently lost
to the kingdom of Samaria. ... from which we learn that there was a city of Edom ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Benhadad I.--- Omri and the foundation of Samaria: Ahab and the ... The walls of the
city fell of themselves at the ... took up his residence there, and built on the ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... that was sent back from the captivity to Samaria to teach ... that is thrust out from
the holy city among the ... and of the household of God; and are built upon the ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

What is the importance of Samaria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Why had the believers in Samaria not received the Holy Spirit (Acts 8)? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the Samaritans? | GotQuestions.org

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