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). This strategic location, situated on a hill, provided a defensible position and became a significant political and cultural center in the region.

Biblical Significance:
Samaria holds a prominent place in the biblical narrative, serving as the capital of the Northern Kingdom during the reigns of several kings, including Ahab, Omri's son. The city is frequently mentioned in the context of the idolatrous practices that characterized the Northern Kingdom. Under Ahab and his wife Jezebel, Samaria became a center for the worship of Baal, leading to significant conflict with the prophets of Yahweh, most notably Elijah (1 Kings 16:32-33).

Prophetic Warnings and Judgments:
The prophets of Israel, including Amos, Hosea, and Micah, issued stern warnings against Samaria for its idolatry, social injustice, and departure from the covenant with God. Amos prophesied against the opulence and moral decay of Samaria, declaring, "Woe to you who are complacent in Zion, and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria" (Amos 6:1). Hosea also condemned the city, stating, "Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God" (Hosea 13:16).

Destruction and Exile:
The culmination of Samaria's disobedience came in 722 BC when the Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, besieged and captured the city. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom, as the Israelites were exiled and dispersed throughout the Assyrian Empire (2 Kings 17:5-6). The fall of Samaria served as a divine judgment for the persistent idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness of its people.

New Testament References:
In the New Testament, Samaria is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. The region of Samaria, distinct from the city itself, was home to the Samaritans, a group with whom the Jews had strained relations. Jesus' interaction with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42) and His parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) highlight themes of reconciliation and the breaking down of ethnic and religious barriers.

Archaeological Insights:
Archaeological excavations at the site of ancient Samaria, known today as Sebastia, have uncovered significant remains, including fortifications, palaces, and a large acropolis. These findings corroborate the biblical account of Samaria as a fortified city and a center of political power in the ancient Near East.

Legacy:
The legacy of Samaria is multifaceted, reflecting both the glory and the downfall of the Northern Kingdom. Its history serves as a testament to the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and the enduring hope of redemption and reconciliation through Christ, as illustrated in the New Testament narratives involving Samaritans.1 Kings 16:24
And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.
Nave's Topical Index

The Record of Two Kings
... silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after
the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.25. But Omri wrought evil ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the record of two kings.htm

The Kingdom of Samaria.
... Omri belonged to the city of Jezreel, in the inheritance of Issachar; but he built
Samaria in the midst of Ephraim, between the two hills of blessing and of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson viii the kingdom of.htm

How Zerah, King of the Ethiopians, was Beaten by Asa; and How Asa ...
... the city Tirzah, and the rest in the city called Semareon, but named by the Greeks
Samaria; but he ... Semer, who sold him the mountain whereon he built it ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/chapter 12 how zerah king.htm

Elijah and the Widow's Son
... Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built a city on the hill and
named it Samaria, after Shemer, the owner of the hill. When Omri died, Ahab ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/elijah and the widows son.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
... the son of Rehob, was, like Ahab of Samaria, an ally ... it said; "let the city of Sihon
be built and fortified. ... forth from Heshbon, a flame from the city of Sihon ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... It was a double city, built on either side of the ... His first achievement was the capture
of Samaria. ... spoil, however, was found in the half-ruined city; and the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Appendices
... tribute to Tiglath-pileser 738 Pekahiah 737 Pekah 736 Hoshea 733 or 729 Samaria
taken by ... 4. The city of Surippak, which, as thou knowest, is built [on the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/appendices.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

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... turned into sailors at a day's notice, and the vessel built by him ... of the Lord,*
and he was master in his own city of Jerusalem or Samaria, but his ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

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