Topical Bible: Ancient Samaria: Predictions Respecting Its Destruction

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Introduction

Ancient Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Established by King Omri in the 9th century BC, Samaria became a center of idolatry and apostasy, drawing the ire of the prophets of Israel. The biblical narrative records numerous predictions concerning its destruction, which were fulfilled with the Assyrian conquest in 722 BC.

Prophetic Warnings

The prophets of Israel, under divine inspiration, issued stern warnings to Samaria regarding its impending doom due to its persistent sinfulness and rebellion against God. These prophecies serve as a testament to God's justice and the consequences of turning away from His commandments.

1. Hosea's Prophecies: Hosea, a prophet to the Northern Kingdom, vividly described the spiritual adultery of Samaria and foretold its destruction. Hosea 13:16 declares, "Samaria will bear her guilt, for she has rebelled against her God. They will fall by the sword; their little ones will be dashed to pieces, and their pregnant women ripped open."

2. Amos's Pronouncements: Amos, a shepherd from Judah, was called by God to prophesy against Israel. He condemned the social injustices and idolatry prevalent in Samaria. In Amos 3:11 , the Lord warns, "Therefore, this is what the Sovereign LORD says: 'An enemy will surround the land; he will pull down your strongholds and plunder your fortresses.'"

3. Micah's Lament: Micah, a contemporary of Isaiah, also spoke against Samaria. In Micah 1:6 , he proclaims, "Therefore I will make Samaria a heap of rubble, a place for planting vineyards. I will pour her stones into the valley and lay bare her foundations."

4. Isaiah's Judgment: Isaiah, though primarily a prophet to Judah, also addressed the sins of Samaria. In Isaiah 9:9-10 , the arrogance of Samaria is highlighted: "All the people will know it—Ephraim and the dwellers of Samaria. With pride and arrogance of heart they will say, 'The bricks have fallen, but we will rebuild with dressed stone; the sycamores have been cut down, but we will replace them with cedars.'"

Fulfillment of Prophecies

The prophecies concerning Samaria's destruction were fulfilled when the Assyrian Empire, under King Shalmaneser V and later Sargon II, besieged and captured the city in 722 BC. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian exile for the Israelites. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17:6 records, "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes."

Theological Implications

The destruction of Samaria serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. The prophetic warnings and their fulfillment underscore the seriousness with which God views idolatry and injustice. The fall of Samaria is a testament to God's sovereignty and the fulfillment of His word, as well as a call to repentance and faithfulness for all who hear His message.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 8:4
For before the child shall have knowledge to cry, My father, and my mother, the riches of Damascus and the spoil of Samaria shall be taken away before the king of Assyria.
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Isaiah 9:11,12
Therefore the LORD shall set up the adversaries of Rezin against him, and join his enemies together;
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Hosea 13:16
Samaria shall become desolate; for she has rebelled against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.
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Amos 3:11,12
Therefore thus said the Lord GOD; An adversary there shall be even round about the land; and he shall bring down your strength from you, and your palaces shall be spoiled.
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Micah 1:6
Therefore I will make Samaria as an heap of the field, and as plantings of a vineyard: and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover the foundations thereof.
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Library

The Jewish Institutions and Laws of Far Higher Antiquity than the ...
... Some also make Terpander out ancient. ... the other an Arcadian, who uttered many
predictions to many ... the ten tribes were carried captive from Samaria till Ptolemy ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xxi the jewish institutions and.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto ... the inspired record, are
fulfilled the predictions which, in ... of heaven, and came to the Ancient of Days ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Life of Christ.
... the days of the Messiah; and these predictions were now ... besides, the fulfilment of
an ancient prophecy; [29 ... of His countrymen, He visited Samaria, and conversed ...
//christianbookshelf.org/killen/the ancient church/chapter ii the life of.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... Among these predictions, those in Isaiah 29:1-8 ... perfectly to realize in life the
ancient religion, the ... the wickedness of Jerusalem and Samaria, though the ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

The Sibylline Oracles.
... This concludes the oracular utterances respecting Rome ... Sibyllines, consisting, that
is, of predictions concerning various ... the belief in the most ancient of the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the sibylline oracles.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... abib on the Chebar (perhaps the ancient Chaboras, a ... in chap.16, and of Jerusalem
and Samaria in chap ... Both also contain predictions, the exact interpretation of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... exchanged with provincial governors, augural predictions, consultation of ... that, in
accordance with ancient belief, the ... it flowed over Galilee, Samaria, and the ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm