Introduction

Samaria, known as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, holds a significant place in biblical history. It is often referred to as the "Mountain of Samaria" due to its strategic location on a hill, providing both defense and a commanding view of the surrounding region. This entry explores the historical, religious, and cultural aspects of Samaria as depicted in the Bible.

Historical Background

Samaria was established as the capital of the Northern Kingdom by King Omri around 880 BC. The city was strategically located on a hill, approximately 42 miles north of Jerusalem and 7 miles northwest of Shechem. Omri purchased the hill from Shemer, after whom the city was named (1 Kings 16:24). The choice of location was significant for its defensibility and its central position in the kingdom.

Biblical Significance

Samaria is frequently mentioned in the Bible, often symbolizing the apostasy and idolatry of the Northern Kingdom. Under King Ahab, Omri's son, Samaria became a center for the worship of Baal, influenced by Ahab's marriage to Jezebel, a Phoenician princess (1 Kings 16:31-33). The prophets Elijah and Elisha ministered during this period, confronting the idolatry and calling the people back to the worship of Yahweh.

The city also witnessed significant events, such as the siege by the Arameans during the reign of King Ben-Hadad of Aram. The miraculous deliverance of Samaria from this siege is recorded in 2 Kings 6:24-7:20 , where the Lord intervened, causing the Arameans to flee.

Religious and Cultural Context

Samaria's religious practices were a blend of Yahwistic worship and Canaanite idolatry, which led to its condemnation by the prophets. The syncretism in Samaria was a major factor in the prophetic denunciations found in books like Hosea and Amos. Hosea 8:5-6 highlights the idolatry of Samaria, stating, "Your calf-idol is rejected, O Samaria. My anger burns against them. How long will they be incapable of innocence? For this thing is from Israel—a craftsman made it; it is not God. It will be broken to pieces, that calf of Samaria."

Fall and Legacy

The fall of Samaria came in 722 BC when the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V, followed by Sargon II, captured the city after a prolonged siege. This event marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian exile, as recorded in 2 Kings 17:5-6 . The Assyrians deported many Israelites and repopulated the area with people from other conquered regions, leading to the emergence of the Samaritans, a mixed population with a distinct religious identity.

New Testament References

In the New Testament, Samaria is mentioned in the context of Jesus' ministry. Jesus' encounter with the Samaritan woman at the well (John 4:4-42) highlights the longstanding animosity between Jews and Samaritans, yet also demonstrates Jesus' message of salvation extending beyond ethnic boundaries. The parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37) further illustrates the theme of compassion and love transcending cultural divides.

Conclusion

Samaria, as the capital of the Northern Kingdom, played a pivotal role in the religious and political history of Israel. Its legacy is marked by both its historical significance and its symbolic representation of the challenges of faithfulness to God amidst cultural and religious pressures.Amos 4:1
Hear this word, you cows of Bashan, that are in the mountain of Samaria, which oppress the poor, which crush the needy, which say to their masters, Bring, and let us drink.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Amos 6:1
Woe to them that are at ease in Zion, and trust in the mountain of Samaria, which are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel came!
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Palestine Eighteen Centuries Ago
... the land that had Jerusalem for its capital, and on ... the past, the names of the ancient
tribes still ... speaking, it consisted of Judaea and Samaria, under Roman ...
/.../sketches of jewish social life/chapter 1 palestine eighteen centuries.htm

A Little Maid
... rivers like the Rhine and Danube, and a capital city so ... But it was often done in
those ancient days, as you ... of Israel and the little city of Samaria and the ...
/.../wells/bible stories and religious classics/a little maid.htm

The Nations of the South-East
... Moab was permanently lost to the kingdom of Samaria. ... from their masters, and in
recovering their ancient independence ... princes of Petra made their capital one of ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter iii the nations of.htm

Jews and Gentiles in "The Land"
... of the worship of the Phoenician Astarte, of the ancient Syrian god ... religion of Moses,
the very name of their capital, Sebaste, for Samaria, showed how ...
/.../edersheim/sketches of jewish social life/chapter 2 jews and gentiles.htm

The Israelites
... its capital was central, and was not only a strongly-fortified fortress, but also
an ancient and venerable ... In BC722 Samaria, the later capital of the ...
/.../sayce/early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter i the israelites.htm

We Arrive Now at a Branch of Our Subject Upon which the Lord's ...
... the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt ... Persians, selected
Babylon as the intended capital of his ... on the original site of ancient Babylon ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/we arrive now at a.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... in the other shorter sieges of both the capital cities, Jerusalem and Samaria; the
former ... on account that so many of the ancient courtiers were real ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.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

Apostolic Labors of John.
... by the apostles from Jerusalem to Samaria to confirm ... Ephesus, the capital of proconsular
Asia, was a centre ... has some slight support in ancient tradition, [599 ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 42 apostolic labors of.htm

The Land and the People.
... 174] He conversed with a woman of Samaria, to the ... kingdom of this world, with Jerusalem
for its capital. ... commission for the exploration of ancient Phoenicia in ...
/.../schaff/history of the christian church volume i/section 17 the land and.htm

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