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 Shemer (1 Kings 16:24). The strategic location of Samaria on a hill provided a strong defensive position and became a significant political and cultural center in the region.

Biblical Significance:
Samaria holds a prominent place in biblical history and prophecy. It became the seat of power for several kings of Israel, including Ahab, who, along with his wife Jezebel, led Israel into idolatry and conflict with the prophets of Yahweh. The city is frequently mentioned in the context of the apostasy and moral decline of the Northern Kingdom, which ultimately led to its downfall.

The prophets Amos and Hosea, among others, pronounced judgments against Samaria for its idolatry and social injustices. Amos 3:9 calls for witnesses against the "citadels of Samaria" due to the oppression and violence within its walls. Hosea 8:6 declares, "For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it, and it is not God. It will be broken in pieces, that calf of Samaria."

Destruction and Exile:
In 722 BC, Samaria fell to the Assyrian Empire under King Shalmaneser V and his successor Sargon II. The conquest led to the deportation of many Israelites and the resettlement of foreign peoples in the land, which contributed to the mixed population known as the Samaritans. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and fulfilled the prophetic warnings of judgment.

New Testament Context:
In the New Testament, Samaria is significant for its role in the early Christian mission. Although the city of Samaria itself is not explicitly mentioned as a place where Paul and Barnabas preached, the region of Samaria is noted for its openness to the Gospel. Acts 8:5 records that Philip went down to a city in Samaria and proclaimed the Messiah there, leading to a great response among the people.

The ministry of Paul and Barnabas primarily focused on other regions, but their mission to the Gentiles aligns with the broader inclusion of Samaritans in the early Christian community. The spread of the Gospel to Samaria exemplifies the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers, as Jesus had earlier indicated in His conversation with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42).

Cultural and Religious Impact:
Samaria's legacy is complex, marked by its historical role as a center of idolatry and its later inclusion in the Christian mission. The Samaritans, who emerged from the intermingling of Israelites and foreign settlers, developed their own distinct religious identity, which included the worship of Yahweh and the acceptance of only the Pentateuch as Scripture.

The animosity between Jews and Samaritans during the time of Jesus is well-documented, yet the Gospel's reach into Samaria underscores the transformative power of Christ's message. The inclusion of Samaritans in the early church serves as a testament to the universality of the Gospel and the fulfillment of Jesus' command to be His witnesses "in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth" (Acts 1:8).Acts 15:3
And being brought on their way by the church, they passed through Phenice and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy to all the brothers.
Nave's Topical Index

Questions.
... 24. How did Esarhaddon fill the empty land of Samaria? 25. ... 27. What condition was
the city found to be in? 28. ... 19. What were built at this time? 20. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

What is a Samaritan? | GotQuestions.org

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

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