Topical Encyclopedia The city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, experienced several significant sieges throughout its history, as recorded in the Old Testament. These sieges were pivotal events that demonstrated the consequences of Israel's disobedience to God and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.1. Siege by Ben-Hadad of Aram (Syria): One of the most notable sieges of Samaria occurred during the reign of King Ahab. Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, besieged Samaria with a large army. The account is detailed in 1 Kings 20. Despite the overwhelming odds, the Lord delivered Samaria from the Arameans. A prophet assured Ahab of victory, saying, "This is what the LORD says: ‘Do you see this vast army? I will give it into your hand today, and then you will know that I am the LORD’" (1 Kings 20:13). The Israelites, though vastly outnumbered, defeated the Arameans twice, demonstrating God's power and faithfulness. 2. Siege during the Reign of Jehoram: Another significant siege occurred during the reign of King Jehoram, Ahab's son. Ben-Hadad of Aram again laid siege to Samaria, leading to a severe famine. The situation became so dire that the people resorted to cannibalism, as recorded in 2 Kings 6:24-29. In response to the king's despair, Elisha the prophet foretold the end of the siege and the return of abundance, saying, "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’" (2 Kings 7:1). The prophecy was fulfilled when the Arameans fled, leaving behind provisions that ended the famine. 3. Final Siege by Assyria: The most devastating siege of Samaria was conducted by the Assyrian Empire, leading to the fall of the Northern Kingdom. This event is chronicled in 2 Kings 17. In 722 BC, after a three-year siege, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V captured Samaria. The fall of Samaria was attributed to Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's commandments. The biblical narrative states, "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and had warned them through all His prophets and seers" (2 Kings 17:7). The Assyrians deported the Israelites, leading to the dispersion of the ten tribes and the end of the Northern Kingdom. Theological Significance: The sieges of Samaria serve as a testament to the themes of divine judgment and mercy. They illustrate the consequences of turning away from God and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings. Yet, they also highlight God's willingness to deliver and restore when His people repent and seek Him. The accounts of these sieges remind believers of the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant and the assurance of His sovereignty over nations and history. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 20:1And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 6:24 2 Kings 17:5 2 Kings 18:9-11 Library After the Terrible Siege of Samaria was Ended in Accordance with ... How Upon the Quarrel Between Antiochus Grypus and Antiochus ... The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. ) Micah How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ... In Jud??a and through Samaria - a Sketch of Samaritan History and ... Vespasian, when He had Taken the City Gadaea Marches to Jotapata. ... Concerning the Successors of Judas, who were Jonathan and Simon ... The Fall of Jerusalem. Works and Letters of St. Ambrose Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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