Historical Background

Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, was established by King Omri around 880 BC. The city was strategically located on a hill, providing a strong defensive position and serving as a central hub for the kingdom. Samaria became the political and religious center of the Northern Kingdom, often associated with idolatry and apostasy due to the influence of successive kings who led Israel away from the worship of Yahweh.

Biblical Significance

Samaria holds a significant place in biblical history, particularly in the narratives of the prophets and the kings of Israel. The city is frequently mentioned in the context of divine judgment and deliverance. One of the most notable events in Samaria's history is its miraculous deliverance from the siege laid by the Arameans, as recorded in 2 Kings 6-7.

Miraculous Deliverance

During the reign of King Jehoram, the Arameans, led by King Ben-Hadad, besieged Samaria, causing a severe famine within the city. The situation became so dire that the people resorted to desperate measures for survival. In this time of crisis, the prophet Elisha played a pivotal role in the city's deliverance.

Elisha prophesied that the siege would end and that food would become plentiful within a day. Skepticism abounded, particularly from the king's officer who doubted the possibility of such a miraculous turnaround. Elisha responded, "You will see it with your own eyes, but you will not eat any of it" (2 Kings 7:2).

That night, the Lord caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots and horses, leading them to believe that the Israelites had allied with other kings to attack them. In panic, the Arameans abandoned their camp, leaving behind food, supplies, and treasures. The lepers at the city gate discovered the deserted camp and informed the city, leading to the fulfillment of Elisha's prophecy. The abundance of food was sold at the gate of Samaria, just as Elisha had foretold, and the skeptical officer was trampled to death in the rush, witnessing the miracle but not partaking in it (2 Kings 7:16-20).

Theological Implications

The deliverance of Samaria underscores the sovereignty and power of God in the affairs of nations. It serves as a testament to God's ability to provide and protect His people, even in seemingly impossible situations. The narrative also highlights the role of faith and the consequences of doubt, as seen in the fate of the skeptical officer.

Prophetic Voices

The prophets Amos and Hosea frequently addressed the spiritual and moral decline of Samaria, calling the people to repentance and warning of impending judgment. Despite the miraculous deliverance, the city eventually fell to the Assyrians in 722 BC due to persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

Conclusion

Samaria's history is a complex tapestry of divine intervention, prophetic warning, and eventual judgment. Its miraculous deliverance serves as a powerful reminder of God's faithfulness and the importance of trusting in His promises.2 Kings 7:6,7
For the LORD had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, See, the king of Israel has hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come on us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... We find accordingly denunciations against Samaria intermingled with ... above the site
of the ancient Nineveh, rests ... directed against Nineveh, the capital of the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm

The Acts of the Apostles
... The voice of the ancient Church is unanimous in ascribing ... Jerusalem and in all Judea,
and in Samaria, and unto ... Greek culture, and from Rome, the capital of the ...
/.../drummond/introduction to the new testament/the acts of the apostles.htm

Book 9 Footnotes
... while but for notorious sins, which the most ancient Book of ... the other shorter sieges
of both the capital cities, Jerusalem and Samaria; the former ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 9 footnotes.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... of the most glorious wrecks of the ancient world ... have done;" he burnt their capital,
Izirtu, demolished ... their survivors were removed to Samaria, where captives ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Hebrew Prophecies.
... perfectly to realize in life the ancient religion, the ... the wickedness of Jerusalem
and Samaria, though the ... his censure seems to rest upon the Judean capital. ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter v the hebrew prophecies.htm

Acts XVI
... of Asia, of which Ephesus was the capital, he was ... directed by angels, like Philip
in Samaria; or by ... which accords with the custom of ancient navigators, who ...
/.../mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts xvi.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

Appeal to the Christian Women of the South
... Christ as the true Messiah in the streets of Samaria, once the capital of the ten ...
Although "he knew that for envy the Jews had delivered Christ," yet he ...
/.../an appeal to the christian women of the south/appeal to the christian women.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

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

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