Samaria

Lore & Background

Samaria first appears as a city built by Omri, who purchased the hill from Shemer and named it after him (1 Kings 16:24). It became the royal residence and burial place for Omri (1 Kings 16:28) and his son Ahab (1 Kings 22:37). Ahab reigned there for twenty-two years (1 Kings 16:29) and built a house and altar for Baal within the city (1 Kings 16:32). The city was also the setting for the confrontation between Elijah and Ahab during a severe famine (1 Kings 18:2). Samaria was besieged multiple times by Benhadad of Syria (1 Kings 20:1, 2 Kings 6:24). During one siege, a great famine caused extreme prices for food (2 Kings 6:25). The prophet Elisha predicted the end of that siege and the restoration of food supplies at the gate of Samaria (2 Kings 7:1). The city also served as a place where Elisha led blinded Syrian soldiers, revealing them to be in the midst of Samaria (2 Kings 6:19-20). Kings of Israel were buried in Samaria (1 Kings 16:28, 1 Kings 22:37), and the city was the site of a royal judgment seat at its gate (1 Kings 22:10). The pool of Samaria is mentioned where Ahab's chariot was washed after his death (1 Kings 22:38). Ahaziah, Ahab's son, fell from a lattice in his upper chamber in Samaria and later died (2 Kings 1:2).

Reader's Guide

The passages portray Samaria primarily as the political and religious capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. It is consistently identified as the city where kings reigned (1 Kings 16:29, 1 Kings 22:51, 2 Kings 3:1), where they built palaces and temples (1 Kings 16:24, 1 Kings 16:32), and where they were buried (1 Kings 16:28, 1 Kings 22:37). The city is also a focal point of conflict: it is besieged by foreign armies (1 Kings 20:1, 2 Kings 6:24), suffers famine (1 Kings 18:2, 2 Kings 6:25), and is the site of prophetic activity—both judgment (1 Kings 13:32) and deliverance (2 Kings 7:1). The gate of Samaria is a place of commerce and prophecy (2 Kings 7:1), and the city's pool is where Ahab's blood was washed away (1 Kings 22:38). The city is also associated with idolatry, as Ahab built a Baal temple there (1 Kings 16:32), and with the prophet Elisha's ministry, who used the city as a base (2 Kings 2:25, 2 Kings 6:19-20). Overall, Samaria is depicted as a central stage for the drama of Israel's kings, prophets, and divine judgment.

Did You Know?

• Omri bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver (1 Kings 16:24).
• Ahab built a house and altar for Baal in Samaria (1 Kings 16:32).
• During a Syrian siege, an ass's head sold for fourscore pieces of silver in Samaria (2 Kings 6:25).
• Elisha led blinded Syrian soldiers into Samaria, then prayed for their sight to be restored (2 Kings 6:19-20).