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The capital
of the northern kingdom of Israel.
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Hill on which city of
Samaria was built |
Samaria was the capital
city of the northern kingdom along a major north-south
route through Palestine. The city was built by King Omri who reigned in
Tirzah for six years before building Samaria to be his capital (1Kings 16:21ff).
King Ahab and Queen Jezebel built a palace with ivory inlay at Samaria.
Ahab died there after being wounded in battle. In Elisha's time Samaria was besieged but
it was not taken. The city was conquered by the Assyrians
in 722 B.C. after a three year siege, ending the ten tribes of Israel's
existence as a nation. In 332 B.C. Alexander the Great captured Samaria
during his conquest of Palestine. During the reign of Herod
the Great the city was rebuilt and renamed Sebaste.
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