Topical Encyclopedia The city of Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, experienced several significant sieges throughout biblical history. These sieges are pivotal events that illustrate the spiritual and political dynamics of ancient Israel, as well as the consequences of turning away from God.1. The Siege by Ben-Hadad of Aram (Syria): One of the most notable sieges of Samaria occurred during the reign of King Ahab, as recorded in 1 Kings 20. Ben-Hadad, the king of Aram, gathered his forces and besieged Samaria. Initially, Ben-Hadad demanded Ahab's silver, gold, wives, and children, to which Ahab agreed. However, when Ben-Hadad's demands escalated, Ahab refused, leading to a confrontation. The prophet of the LORD assured Ahab of victory, and despite being vastly outnumbered, the Israelites defeated the Arameans. This victory was attributed to divine intervention, as the LORD declared, "I will deliver all this great multitude into your hand, and you will know that I am the LORD" (1 Kings 20:13). 2. The Siege during the Reign of Jehoram: Another significant siege occurred during the reign of King Jehoram, Ahab's son. Ben-Hadad of Aram once again besieged Samaria, leading to a severe famine in the city. The situation became so dire that cannibalism was reported among the inhabitants (2 Kings 6:24-29). In response to the king's distress, the prophet Elisha prophesied the end of the siege and the return of abundance. The LORD caused the Aramean army to hear the sound of chariots and horses, leading them to flee in panic, leaving behind their supplies. The Israelites plundered the camp, fulfilling Elisha's prophecy (2 Kings 7:1-16). 3. The Final Siege by Assyria: The most consequential siege of Samaria was conducted by the Assyrian Empire, marking the end of the Northern Kingdom. During the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, laid siege to Samaria. This siege lasted for three years and culminated in the capture of the city around 722 B.C. (2 Kings 17:5-6). The fall of Samaria was attributed to Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to the LORD. The biblical narrative emphasizes that the Israelites "sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt" (2 Kings 17:7). As a result, the Assyrians deported the Israelites, scattering them across their empire, and resettled the land with foreign peoples, leading to the emergence of the Samaritans. These sieges of Samaria serve as a testament to the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God. They highlight the themes of divine judgment, mercy, and the fulfillment of prophetic words, underscoring the importance of faithfulness to the LORD. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Kings 20:1And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and there were thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots; and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it. Torrey's Topical Textbook 2 Kings 6:24 2 Kings 17:5 Library Herod Takes Sepphoris and Subdues the Robbers that were in the ... Book 9 Footnotes That Whereas the City of Jerusalem had Been Five Times Taken ... The Old Testament and Archeology Six Cities Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC ) The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire Resources What is the history of Masada? | GotQuestions.orgWhen and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org Who was Ben-Hadad in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Siege: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Siege by Rezin, King of Syria, and Pekah, Son of Remaliah, King of Israel Siege: An offer of Peace Must be Made to the City Before Beginning A Siege: Conducted by Erecting Embankments Parallel to the Walls of the Besieged City Siege: Distress of the Inhabitants During A Sieges: Being Against Round About Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Helped by Allies Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Ambush Sieges: Cities Invested by Frequently Taken by Assault Sieges: Cities Invested by Inhabitants of, Exhorted to be Courageous Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Demanded Terms of Peace Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Famine Sieges: Cities Invested by Often Suffered from Pestilence Sieges: Cities Invested by Repaired and Newly Fortified Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by Sometimes Used Ambushes or Sorties Sieges: Cities Invested by Supplied With Water Beforehand Sieges: Cities Invested by The Inhabitants of, Cut off Beforehand Supplies of Water Sieges: Cities Invested by Walls of, Defended by the Inhabitants Sieges: Cities Invested by Were Strictly Shut Up Sieges: Cities of Israel in Galilee Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Broken Down Sieges: Cities Taken by Frequently Destroyed by Fire Sieges: Cities Taken by Given up to Pillage Sieges: Cities Taken by Inhabitants of, often Put to the Sword Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Called After the Name of the Captor Sieges: Cities Taken by Sometimes Sown With Salt Sieges: Compassing About With Armies Sieges: Extreme Difficulty of Taking Cities By, Alluded To Sieges: Fenced Cities Invested By Sieges: Great Noise and Tumult of, Alluded To Sieges: Often Lasted for a Long Time Sieges: Setting in Array Against Sieges: The Jews Forbidden to Cut Down Fruit Trees for the Purpose of Sieges: The Omnipresence of God Sieges: Those Engaged in Built Forts and Mounts Sieges: Those Engaged in Called Upon the City to Surrender Sieges: Those Engaged in Cast Arrows and Other Missiles Into the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Cut off all Supplies Sieges: Those Engaged in Dug a Trench Round the City Sieges: Those Engaged in Employed Battering Rams Against the Walls Sieges: Those Engaged in Frequently Laid Ambushes Sieges: Those Engaged in Invested the City on Every Side Sieges: Those Engaged in Often Suffered Much During Sieges: Threatened As a Punishment Sieges: Zion in Her Affliction Related Terms Battering-rams (2 Occurrences) Nebuchadrezzar (31 Occurrences) |
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