Map of Samaria, city and territory
Samaria, capital of Israel
And territory in northern Promised Land
Map of Samaria: Samaria was one of the capital cities of the northern Jewish nation that took the name of Israel when it parted company with the tribe of Judah in the south. Samaria also became the name of the territory in and around the city. In time, it became a nickname for the northern tribes. King Omri built the city of Samaria and made it his capital. He was the father of the infamous King Ahab who married the Baal-worshiping Jezebel. Omri bought a hill from a man named Shemer and paid about 150 pounds of silver for it. Omri built a new capital city on that hill. He named the town Samaria, after the former owner.Attacking Samaria
Syrian King Ben-hadad mobilized all the armies in his region. He combined the infantry, cavalry, and chariot corps of 32 kings of kingdom territories and towns. Then he took them to Israel’s capital city of Samaria and attacked. Israel’s elite corps of guards stepped forward, creating a first line of attack. Ben-hadad’s scouts saw them coming and reported back, “Men from Samaria are advancing onto our position.”Standoff then counterattack
For seven days the two armies eyed each other from their camps. Then, on day seven, they fought. Israel killed 100,000 Syrian infantrymen on that first day. The rest fled into the walled city of Aphek for protection. But the walls collapsed, killing another 27,000 of them. Ben-Hadad hid in the back room of a house. His officials said, “Listen, we’ve heard Israel’s kings show mercy. Let’s go to their king dressed in humble cloths, in sackcloth with rope belts.” He may let us live. So, wearing sackcloth with rope belts, the leaders presented themselves to the king of Israel.Invader surrenders
They said, “Ben-Hadad sends this message: “I am Ben-Hadad, your servant. Please let me live.” Ahab said, “Ah, he’s still alive? And he’s my brother now?” The captives took that as a hopeful sign. So, they said, “Yes. Yes he is. He’s your brother, Ben-Hadad.” Ahab said, “Then bring him here.” When Ben-Hadad stepped up, Ahab told him to step into his chariot with him. Ben-Hadad said, “I’m giving you back the cities my father took from your father. And I’m offering you a marketplace in Damascus, just as my father once had a market in Samaria.” Ahab said, “Agreed. Because of this peace treaty, I’ll set you free.”For more Bible features
Map of Samaria territory