Samaria

SAMARIA, the capital City of the Kingdom of Samaria, or of the Ten Tribes. It was built by Omri King of Israel, who began to reign in the Year of the World 3079, 1 Kings xvi. 24.and died in 3086. He bought the Hill Samaria of Shemer, or Shomeron, for two Talents of Silver, or for the Sum of Six hundred eighty four Pounds, seven Shillings and six Pence. It took the Name of Samaria, from Shemer the Owner of the Hill; tho’ some think there were already some Beginnings of a City, because before the Reign of Omri there is mention made of Samaria¹. But others take this for a Prolepsis, or an Anticipation, in the Discourse of the Man of God, who speaks of Samaria under the Reign of Jeroboam.

However this be, it is certain that Samaria was no considerable Place, and did not become the capital City of the Kingdom of Israel ‘till after the Reign of Omri. Before him, the Kings of Israel dwelt at Shechem, or at Tirzah. Samaria was situated upon an agreeable Euseb. in Dothaim. Merro, & Atharo.and fruitful Hill, had an advantageous Situation, and was twelve Miles from Dothaim, twelve from Merrom, and four Jos. Antiq. l. 15. c. 11.from Atharoth. Josephus says, it was a Day’s Journey from Jerusalem. Besides, tho’ it was built upon an Eminence, yet it must have Water in abundance; since we find Medals struck in this City, whereon is represented the Goddess Astarta, treading a River under Foot; which proves it to have been well watered. And Josephus observes, that when it Jos. Antiq. l. 13. c. 18.was taken by John Hyrcanus the Prince of the Jews, he entirely demolish’d it, and caused even the Brook to flow over its Ruins, to obliterate all the Footsteps of it.

The Kings of Samaria omitted nothing to make this City the strongest, the finest, and the richest that was possible. Ahab built 1 Kings xxii. 39.there a Palace of Ivory, that is, in which there were many Ornaments of Ivory. Amos describes Samaria, under Jeroboam II. as a City sunk into all Excesses of Luxury and Amos iii. 15. & iv. 1, 2.Effeminacy: I will smite (says he) the Winter-house with the Summer-house, and the Houses of Ivory shall perish, and the great Houses shall have an end, says the Lord. Hear this Word, ye Kine of Bashan, that are in the Mountain of Samaria, which oppress the Poor, which crush the Needy; which say to their Masters, Bring, and let us drink, Mic. vii. 8.&c.

Ben-hadad King of Syria built Publick 1 Kings xx. 34.Places or Streets in Samaria, probably, for Traffick, where his People dwelt, to promote Trade. His Son Ben-hadad besieged 1 Kings xx. 1, 2, 3. &c.this Place, under the Reign of Ahab, in the Year of the World 3103, before Christ 897, before the Vulgar Era 901.

He came at the Head of thirty-two 1 Kings xx. 1, 2, 3, &c.Kings, with a numerous Army, to lay Siege to Samaria. First of all, Ben-hadad sent Ambassadors to the King of Israel, to demand his Treasures, his Wives and Children, and whatever was dearest to him. Ahab finding himself too weak to oppose him, consented to all that was proposed to him. But the Ambassadors returning, insisted upon having whatever they should find, that they liked, in the Houses of his Subjects also. Then Ahab call’d all the Elders of his People together, and acquainted them, That the King of Syria laid Snares for them; That he had surrender’d whatever belong’d to himself; but, not content with that, he demanded all that belong’d to them likewise. All the Elders reply’d, That they exhorted him, not to hearken to these Proposals, nor to submit to such unjust Demands. Ahab then sent back the Messengers, and told them; I will deliver up to you all that belongs to me, to buy a Peace, but I cannot give up the Goods that belong to my Subjects. Ben-hadad being provoked at this Answer of the King of Israel, sent Messengers to threaten him, and gave Orders forthwith to besiege the City.

Then there came a Prophet to Ahab, and encourag’d him from the Lord, saying, Thus 1 Kings xx. 13, &c.saith the Lord, Hast thou seen all this great Multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into thine Hand this Day, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. And Ahab said, By whom? And he said, Thus saith the Lord, Even by the young Men of the Princes of the Provinces. Then he said, Who shall order the Battle ? And he answered, Thou.

The King of Israel then made a Review of those young Men of the Princes, and found their Number to be Two hundred and thirty-two. Then he made a Review of all his People, and of the whole Army of the Children of Israel, and found them to the Number of Seven thousand. They made a Sally about Noon, while Ben-hadad was diverting himself in his Tent, eating and drinking with the thirty-two Kings that attended him in this Expedition. The young Men of the Princes marched at the Head of the Army of Israel. When Ben-hadad was informed, that some People were coming out of Samaria, he gave Orders, That whether they came to Fight, or to ask for Terms of Peace, they should be taken alive. The little Army of Israel came on, and every one began to kill all that came in their way. When the Syrians found themselves without any Leader at their Head, they presently gave ground, and began to fly. The Army of Israel pursued them briskly, and Ben-hadad was forced to take to his Horse, to save himself, and the other Kings also that were with him.

Observations upon the Investiture of Samaria, by Benhadad, and upon the Routing of his Army by the young Men of the Princes of Israel. 1 Kings xx.I thought I ought rather to make use of the Term Investing, than that of Siege, in this Attempt of Ben-hadad King of Syria, upon the City of Samaria. This Prince marched thither, in the Company of thirty-two Kings, or petty Princes, with an Intention of laying Siege to it, with a vast Preparation of Machines of War, and a very numerous Army; which made him speak very big, and conceive a great Assurance of Success. He encamped before the Place, and sent to summons Ahab King of Israel to surrender. The Conditions that Ben-hadad offered him by his Ambassadors, were such as were commonly granted to Cities taken by Storm, or upon the Point of being so. As if he had imagin’d, that a People secured within strong Walls, with their Arms in their Hands, their King at their Head, their Religion and Liberty to maintain, would be so cowardly as to surrender, upon such hard Conditions. This is what the King of Syria sends them Word by his Ambassadors; Thy Silver and thy Gold is mine, thy Wives also and thy Children, even the goodliest, are mine. We find, that Ahab paid an extraordinary Submission to these haughty Commands; and never any Vassal shewed a greater. He does not look upon himself as his Vassal and Tributary only; but, in his Answer to the Messengers of Ben-hadad, he seems to acknowledge, that himself and his whole People are of the Number of his Slaves. Without doubt, he must be terrify’d at the immense Number of the Syrian Troops; and he must think himself but little secure in the Place he was in, tho’ he had near eight thousand Men of disciplin’d Troops. What does Ahab answer then to these Proposals? My Lord, O King, according to thy Saying, I am thine, and all that I have. Probably, he must mean, all that he had of his own, and what he could properly dispose of, and not what belong’d to his People, which he could not pretend to give away. No doubt but that Ben-hadad intended that this should be included also, and therefore he sent his Ambassadors back again, to acquaint him, Yet I will send my Servants unto thee to-morrow about this time, and they shall search thine House, and the Houses of thy Servants; and it shall be, that whatsoever is pleasant in thine Eyes, they shall put it in their Hand, and take it away. There is a great Difference, as the learned Commentator observes, between what was intended by Ahab, and what was claim’d by the King of Syria. The latter pretended absolutely to dispose of all the Goods, the Persons, and the Subjects belonging to the King of Israel, who only submitted, in Hopes to obtain moderate Terms, and that he might only be obliged to pay a Tribute, or to purchase Peace, and to ransom the Pillaging of the City. But when he saw that Ben-hadad’s Designs were not only upon the Possessions, but the Liberty also of his People, he call’d his Elders together, and asked their Opinions. They all unanimously answered, Hearken not unto him, nor consent. Wherefore the King return’d this Answer to the Ambassadors; I consented to your first Proposals; but as to your last, tell the King my Lord, that I cannot comply with them: Hanc autem rem facere non possum.

At this Refusal of the King of Israel, the Ambassadors withdrew, and made their Report to Ben-hadad, who sent them back with bitter Menaces, to intimidate Ahab and his Subjects; and to raise in them an high Idea of his Power and Strength. This is what he makes them say; The Gods do so unto me, and more also, if the Dust of Samaria shall suffice for Handfuls for all the People that follow me. This Hyperbole may surprize the Reader; yet I should not wonder, if the term pulvis Samariæ expresses the Force of the Original. But F. Calmet is of Opinion, that the Chaldee has much greater Force. All the Soil of the Country will not suffice for my People, if every one of ‘em only takes away so much of it as will stick to his Shoes. This exceeds the most extravagant Gasconnade. Ahab’s Answer is very good, and retrenches much of that unmeasurable Pride. Let not him that girdeth on his Harness boast himself, as he that putteth it off.

Ben-hadad received this Answer as he was drinking in the Shade, probably under an Arbor, with the other Kings. He immediately gave Orders to his People, that they should surround the City, which they did. Ahab’s Answer had so nettled him, that he resolved to carry on the Siege in Form; for which Purpose he invested the City on all Sides, and even drew a Line of Circumvallation, to hinder any from going in, or coming out.

At the same time there came a Prophet to encourage the King of Israel, who brings this Message from the Lord: I will confound the Pride of Benhadad, and of all the Kings that are with him. Hast thou seen all this great Multitude? Behold, I will deliver it into thine Hand this Day, and thou shalt know that I am the Lord. Even by the young Men of the Princes of the Provinces, shall this formidable Army be put to Confusion, that thou may’st know that I am the Lord. It is probable, as Father Calmet says, that these young Men of the Princes of the Provinces were Pages or young Gentlemen, bred up at the King’s Court, who made a Review of them, and found them to be two hundred and thirty-two. And then reviewing the People, he found them to be seven thousand of the Children of Israel.

They went out of the City about Noon; while Ben-hadad was drinking in his Tent, and perhaps drunk, with the thirty-two Kings that were come to his Assistance. What can be expected from a General, and a King that is drunk, and from thirty-two others that were guilty of the same Excess? One may easily conceive what thirty-three Drunkards could do on such an Occasion, who were fitter to lie down and sleep, than to set themselves at the Head of an Army.

The young Men of the Princes of the Provinces march’d forth at the Head of the Army; and Ben-hadad sending out to know who they were, he was told, that they were People coming forth from Samaria. He then gave Orders, that whether they came to sue for Peace, or to try the Event of War, they should all be secured alive. It was not easy to seize a whole Embassy of seven thousand, two hundred and thirty-two Men, who came against an Army without Generals, divided into several Bodies round the City, and of which there were hardly one perhaps in his right Senses and Judgment; for, in Imitation of their Commanders, they might probably have been tippling too. In the mean time the young Men of the Princes advanced, and the rest of the Army after them. That is to say, the small Body compos’d of those young Men, form’d, as it were, an Avant-guard, and first attack’d the Syrian Troops, who presented themselves in order to seize them; but they were repulsed, and driven back into their Camp. The main Body of the Israelitish Army follow’d close after, and attack’d and cut in Pieces all they met in their March, spread Terror and Confusion into the Army of Ben-hadad, who had but just Time enough to take to his Horse, and to fly with the other Kings that accompany’d him.

I marshal the Army of Israel in two Bodies, the Foot in the Center, and the Horse in the Wings. For in the Battle of Aphek, which is mention’d presently after, the sacred Author says, The Children of Israel 1 Kings xx. 27.pitched before them, like two little Flocks of Kids; but the Syrians fill’d the Country; that is to say, they were divided into two Bodies, and made, as it were, two little Armies. Joab, the General of David’s Army, thus divided his Forces into two Bodies in that Battle wherein he defeated the Syrians and the Ammonites. 2 Sam. x. 9, 10.As to the Cavalry, I presume they had some, because they pursued the Syrians, who abounded in Forces of this Kind.

What is very remarkable, and yet very common, is, that the King of Syria’s Flatterers would ascribe the Shame of their Defeat, not to the Pride and Drunkenness of their King, and of the other Kings; but to the Interposition of the Gods of the Jews: Their Gods are Gods of the Hills, say they, therefore they were stronger than we; but let us fight against them in the Plain, and surely we shall be stronger than they. This is the Manner in which the Defects of great Men are palliated, when they commit any Blunders; ‘tis not their want of Conduct that is blamed, but their evil Fortune, which deprived them of Victory. Therefore these Flatterers advise Ben-hadad to send away all his Kings, and to put good Officers in their Place, to reinforce all his Army with the same Number of Soldiers, Horses, and Chariots which he had lost. But they did not advise him to dismiss that Pride that swell’d his Heart, that Inclination to Drunkenness, and all his other Vices. Wherefore the Lord deliver’d up his Army into the Hands of the Children of Israel, who cut them to Pieces, and by that gave them to understand, that he was the Almighty Lord, the God of the Plains, as well as of the Hills.

1 Kings xx. 26, 27.The following Year Ben-hadad brought an Army into the Field, probably, with a Design to march against Samaria; but his Army was again cut in Pieces. Some Years after this, a Ben-hadad came again, and lay down before Samaria, and reduced² it to such Necessities by Famine, that a Mother was there forced to eat her own Child; but the City was relieved by a sensible Effect of the Protection of God. Lastly, it was besieged by Shalmaneser, King of 2 Kings xvii. 6, 7, &c.Assyria, in the ninth Year of Hoshea King of Israel, which was the fourth of Hezekiah, King of Judah, and the 3280th of the World. It was taken three Years after, in the Year of the World 3283, before Christ 720, before the vulgar Era 724. The Prophet Hosea speaks of the Cruelties exercised Hos. x. 4, 8, 9. xiv. 1. Mic. i. 6.by Shalmaneser against the Besieged; and Micah says, that this City was reduced to a Heap of Stones. The Cuthites that were sent by Esar-haddon to inhabit the Country of Samaria, did not think it worth their while to repair the Ruins of this City; they dwelt at Shechem, which they made the capital City of their State³. They were still upon this footing, when Alexander the Great came into Phenicia and Judea⁴.

However, the Cuthites had rebuilt some of the Houses of Samaria, even from the Time of the Return from the Captivity, Ezr. iv. 17. Nehem. iv. 2.since Ezra then speaks of the Inhabitants of Samaria; and that the Samaritans being jealous of the Favours that Alexander the Great had conferr’d on the Jews, revolted from him while this Prince was in Egypt, and burnt Andromachus alive, whom this Q. Curt. l. 4. c. 21.Prince had left Governor of Syria. Alexander marches against them, took Samaria, and put in Macedonians to inhabit it⁵, giving the Country round about it to the Jews, and to encourage them to cultivate it, he granted them an Exemption from Tribute.⁶ The Kings of Egypt and Syria, who succeeded Alexander, deprived them of the Property of this Country.

But Alexander Balas King of Syria, restored to Jonathan Maccabæus the Cities of Lydda, Ephrem, and Ramatha, which he cut off from the Country of Samaria⁷. Lastly, the Jews re-enter’d into the full Possession of this whole Country under Johannes Hyrcanus the Asmonean, who took Samaria, and ruin’d it in such a manner, according to Josephus⁸, that he made the River run through its Ruins. It continued in this Condition to the Year of the World 3947, when Aulus Gabinius, the Proconsul of Syria, rebuilt it, and gave it the Name of Gabiniana.⁹ But it was yet but very inconsiderable, till Herod the Great restor’d it to its antient Lustre, and gave it the Greek Name of Sebaste, which in Latin is Augusta, in Honour of the Emperor Augustus, who had given him the Propriety of this Place¹⁰.

The sacred Authors of the New Testament speak but little of Samaria; and when they do mention it, ‘tis rather in respect of the Country about it, than of the City itself. Luk. xvii. 11. John iv. 4.For Example, when it is said, He passed through the midst of Samaria; the Meaning is, he pass’d through the midst of the Country about Samaria. And again, John iv. 5.Then cometh he to a City of Samaria which is called Sychar. ‘Twas there where he had the Conversation with the Woman of Samaria, that is, with a Samaritan Woman of the City of Sychar. After the Death of Acts viii. 1, 2, 3.St. Stephen, when the Disciples were dispersed through the Cities of Judea and Samaria, St. Philip the Deacon withdrew into the City of Samaria, where he made several Converts. When the Apostles heard that this City had received the Word of God, they sent Peter and John thither, to communicate the Holy Ghost to such as had been baptized. ‘Twas there they found Simon Magus, who offer’d Money to the Apostles, being in hopes to buy this Power of communicating the Holy Ghost. Samaria is never call’d Sabaste in the Books of the New Testament, tho’ Strangers hardly knew it but by this Name. St. Jerome says,¹¹ that it was thought Obadiah was buried at Samaria. They also shew’d there the Tombs of Elisha and of St. John the Baptist¹². There are found many antient Medals that were struck at Sabaste or Samaria, and some Bishops of this City have subscribed to the antient Councils.

Kings of Samaria. See the Article KINGS.

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