About Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel and later became the name for the entire region between Judea and Galilee. After the Assyrian conquest, the population became mixed, and the Samaritans developed their own form of worship. Jews and Samaritans had deep hostility. Jesus broke social barriers by speaking with the Samaritan woman at the well and telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.
History of Samaria
King Omri purchases the hill of Samaria and builds it as the new capital of the Northern Kingdom
1KI 16:24King Ahab builds a temple to Baal in Samaria, leading Israel into widespread idolatry
1KI 16:32-33Elisha performs miracles in and around Samaria, including the healing of Naaman the Syrian
2KI 5:1-14Samaria falls to the Assyrians after a three-year siege; the Northern Kingdom ends
2KI 17:5-6Assyria resettles foreign peoples in Samaria, creating the mixed population that becomes the Samaritans
2KI 17:24-41Philip the Evangelist preaches in Samaria with great success; many believe and are baptized
ACT 8:5-13Notable Characters in Samaria
Locations Related to Samaria
Biblical Significance of Samaria
Samaria served as the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel for about 200 years, from its founding by King Omri until its destruction by Assyria in 722 BC. The city became a symbol of Israel's spiritual apostasy, particularly during the reign of Ahab and Jezebel. After the Assyrian conquest, the mixed population developed into the Samaritans, a people despised by Jews. In the New Testament, Samaria became significant as a place where Jesus deliberately broke social barriers by engaging with Samaritans.
Key Verses about Samaria
Frequently Asked Questions
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