Introduction

Samaria, an ancient city and region, holds a significant place in biblical history. It served as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel after the division of the united monarchy. The city was established by King Omri around 880 BC and became a central hub for political and religious activities. Samaria's history is marked by periods of idolatry, conflict, and divine deliverance, as recorded in the biblical narrative.

Historical Context

Samaria was strategically located on a hill, providing a strong defensive position. It became the capital under King Omri, who purchased the hill from Shemer, as recorded in 1 Kings 16:24: "He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, naming it Samaria after Shemer, the owner of the hill." The city quickly grew in prominence and became a symbol of the Northern Kingdom's identity.

Religious Significance

The religious practices in Samaria often deviated from the worship of Yahweh, leading to the establishment of idolatrous practices. The prophets frequently condemned these actions, calling the people back to covenant faithfulness. Despite this, Samaria was also a place where God's deliverance was manifested.

Deliverance Effected

One of the most notable instances of divine deliverance in Samaria occurred during the reign of King Jehoram. The city was besieged by the Arameans, leading to a severe famine. In 2 Kings 6:24-25, the dire situation is described: "Some time later, Ben-hadad king of Aram mobilized his entire army and marched up to besiege Samaria. So there was a great famine in Samaria, and they continued the siege until a donkey’s head sold for eighty shekels of silver, and a quarter cab of dove’s dung sold for five shekels of silver."

In this desperate situation, the prophet Elisha prophesied deliverance, declaring that the siege would end and provisions would be plentiful. 2 Kings 7:1 records Elisha's words: "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.'"

Miraculously, the Aramean army fled, leaving behind their supplies, as described in 2 Kings 7:6-7: "For the Lord had caused the Arameans to hear the sound of chariots, horses, and a great army, so that they said to one another, 'Look, the king of Israel has hired the kings of the Hittites and Egyptians to attack us.' So they got up and fled at dusk, abandoning their tents and horses and donkeys. They left the camp as it was and ran for their lives."

The people of Samaria went out and plundered the camp, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy and demonstrating God's power to deliver His people even in the most dire circumstances.

Conclusion

Samaria's history is a testament to the complexities of faith and disobedience, as well as the enduring mercy and deliverance of God. Despite periods of idolatry and judgment, the city witnessed moments of divine intervention that underscored God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His covenant people.1 Kings 20:15-21
Then he numbered the young men of the princes of the provinces, and they were two hundred and thirty two: and after them he numbered all the people, even all the children of Israel, being seven thousand.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Questions.
... 3. What remains have we of the ancient Egyptians? ... 24. How did Esarhaddon fill the
empty land of Samaria? 25. ... 24. What city did he wish to make his capital? 25. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.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

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... if the mountains and inaccessible valleys of ancient Elam could ... than that of the
taking of Samaria, and as ... Sargon returned to his capital, but fate did not yet ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

And ii.
... kingdom of Israel it is concentrated upon Samaria, in the ... consider to be the name
of a capital of the ... For, although God governed the ancient people by the hand ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chap i and ii.htm

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... proclaimed Christ as the true Messiah in the streets of Samaria, once the capital
of the ... can do for you, you must work out your own deliverance with fear ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... walls to store up the waters of the ancient pool ... as that which terminated in the
fall of Samaria, or which ... Hezekiah found himself shut up in his capital "like a ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... at Tell-abib on the Chebar (perhaps the ancient Chaboras, a ... in chap.16, and of Jerusalem
and Samaria in chap ... 2:5); the different forms of capital punishment in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

The Seven Trumpets.
... and ships to transport, the wealth of the capital.""Gibbon. ... and in all Judea, and
in Samaria, and unto ... instead of divine service in the ancient cathedral of ...
/.../bliss/a brief commentary on the apocalypse/the seven trumpets.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... enter by the breach which the pioneers had effected. ... indissolubly connected, and
which had Carchemish as its capital. This ancient city, seated on the banks of ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

St. Gregory the Great.
... which Rome was the centre and capital, had been ... a remorseless despotism, the city
of the ancient Caesars and ... long ago our prophet said against Samaria: 'Set on ...
/.../allies/the formation of christendom volume vi/chapter v st gregory the.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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