Historical Background

Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. Founded by King Omri around 880 BC, Samaria became the political and religious center of the ten northern tribes of Israel. The city was strategically located on a hill, providing a strong defensive position and a vantage point over the surrounding region. Throughout its history, Samaria was a focal point of conflict, idolatry, and prophetic activity.

Religious and Political Significance

Under the reign of King Ahab, Omri's son, Samaria became a center for the worship of Baal, largely due to Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess. This idolatry provoked the ire of the prophets, most notably Elijah, who challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel (1 Kings 18). The city's religious practices often put it at odds with the prophets of Yahweh, who called for a return to the covenantal faith of Israel.

The Siege and Fall of Samaria

The fall of Samaria is a pivotal event in the history of Israel, marking the end of the Northern Kingdom. The Assyrian Empire, under the leadership of King Shalmaneser V, laid siege to Samaria. The siege lasted for three years, a testament to the city's fortifications and the determination of its inhabitants. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17:5-6 states: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria."

The fall of Samaria in 722 BC was not merely a military conquest but also a divine judgment. The biblical narrative attributes the city's downfall to the persistent idolatry and disobedience of the Israelites. 2 Kings 17:7-8 explains: "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 from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel."

Aftermath and Legacy

Following the capture of Samaria, the Assyrians implemented their policy of deportation, resettling the Israelites in various parts of the Assyrian Empire. This event led to the dispersion of the ten tribes, often referred to as the "Lost Tribes of Israel." The Assyrians repopulated Samaria with people from other conquered regions, leading to the emergence of the Samaritans, a group with a mixed heritage and distinct religious practices.

The fall of Samaria serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's commandments. It underscores the themes of judgment and mercy that run throughout the biblical narrative, highlighting the importance of faithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh.2 Kings 17:5,6
Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Kings 18:9,10
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... overtaken by a tempest is not wonderful: it is in harmony with all that we know
of ancient habits of ... His prophecies related to Samaria, the capital city of ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

Babylonia and Assyria
... The ancient empire of Babylonia in western Asia was to ... the same time of overthrowing
both Damascus and Samaria. ... was closely besieged in his capital, while the ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... Tel-el-Amarna, the site of the ancient capital of Amenophis ... it preserves one of the
most ancient styles of ... Elamites, and men of other nationalities to Samaria. ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... the help of a powerful ally.** The capital of Israel ... the temple and priesthood of
Samaria never succeeded ... the prestige enjoyed by the ancient oracles, though ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... [Illustration: 014.jpg THE BESIEGED ENDEAVOURING TO ... indissolubly connected, and which
had Carchemish as its capital. This ancient city, seated on the banks of ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... that which terminated in the fall of Samaria, or which ... forces, bivouacking close
to the capital during the ... The ancient Chaldaean cities, Uru, Bagash, Uruk, and ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... the north-east and east, however, the ancient heritage of ... accomplished and the walls
of the capital had been ... born in the Assyrian province of Samaria, but at ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... nor the insular position of his capital was able ... so nearly recalls that of Kuinda,
the ancient fort mentioned ... number of objects and of prisoners taken from the ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Benhadad I.--- Omri and the foundation of Samaria: Ahab and ... in ver.15 the name of
the capital of Eglon ... but they returned soon to their ancient predatory ways ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

The Iranian Conquest
... town which Darius raised to the position of capital.". ... The most ancient coinage of
their mint was like a ... and torn with carding combs.* Glaucias, besieged in his ...
/.../chapter ithe iranian conquest.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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