1 Kings 16:24

And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver, and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria.

And he bought {H7069} the hill {H2022} Samaria {H8111} of Shemer {H8106} for two talents {H3603} of silver {H3701}, and built {H1129} on the hill {H2022}, and called {H7121} the name {H8034} of the city {H5892} which he built {H1129}, after the name {H8034} of Shemer {H8106}, owner {H113} of the hill {H2022}, Samaria {H8111}.

He bought Mount Shomron from Shemer for 132 pounds of silver. On the mountain he built a city, which he named Shomron after Shemer, who had owned the mountain.

He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city there, calling it Samaria after the name of Shemer, who had owned the hill.

And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver; and he built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill, Samaria.

Commentary

1 Kings 16:24 marks a pivotal moment in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, detailing the establishment of its new capital city under King Omri.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse introduces the founding of Samaria, a city that would serve as the capital of the Northern Kingdom for over two centuries. Following a period of intense political instability and a succession of short-reigned kings, King Omri emerged as a powerful ruler. The previous capital, Tirzah, had been destroyed by Zimri during his brief reign (1 Kings 16:18), necessitating a new, more secure location for the seat of government. Omri, known for his military and administrative prowess despite his ungodly character (1 Kings 16:25), strategically chose the hill of Samaria for its defensibility and commanding views. This purchase laid the groundwork for a city that would become a prominent site in ancient Israelite history.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Strategic Vision: Omriโ€™s decision to purchase and build on the hill of Samaria demonstrates his foresight in choosing a naturally strong and defensible location. This move consolidated his power and provided a stable administrative center for the kingdom, crucial after the recent turmoil.
  • Economic Transaction: The explicit mention of "two talents of silver" highlights the significant cost of the land. A talent was a substantial unit of weight (approximately 75 pounds or 34 kg), making this a considerable sum, underscoring the value and importance of the property. This was a formal and costly acquisition.
  • Foundation of a Capital: This verse records the literal laying of the groundwork for a city that would become central to Israelite history, often synonymous with the Northern Kingdom itself.
  • Naming Convention: The city was named "Samaria" after Shemer, the original owner of the hill. This practice of naming places after prominent figures or owners was common in ancient times, signifying a connection to the land's history.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Samaria" comes from the Hebrew word Shomron (ืฉืึนืžึฐืจื•ึนืŸ), directly derived from the name of the hill's former owner, Shemer. The term "two talents of silver" (ื›ึผึดื›ึผึฐืจึตื™ ื›ึถืกึถืฃ, kikkerey kesef) signifies a measure of wealth, emphasizing the substantial financial investment made by Omri to secure this strategic site, highlighting its perceived value and importance.

Practical Application

This verse, while historical, illustrates how leaders make decisions with lasting impact. Omri's choice of Samaria was a shrewd political and military move, ensuring the stability of his kingdom for generations, even as his spiritual legacy was one of profound wickedness. It reminds us that human achievements, even impressive ones like building a capital city, are ultimately evaluated in light of one's relationship with God. For believers, it underscores the importance of not just practical wisdom but also spiritual integrity in all endeavors, recognizing that true success is defined by God's standards, not merely human accomplishment or strategic brilliance.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 13:32

    For the saying which he cried by the word of the LORD against the altar in Bethel, and against all the houses of the high places which [are] in the cities of Samaria, shall surely come to pass.

  • 2 Kings 17:24

    ยถ And the king of Assyria brought [men] from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed [them] in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.

  • 1 Kings 16:32

    And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria.

  • Acts 8:5

    Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.

  • Acts 8:8

    And there was great joy in that city.

  • 1 Kings 18:2

    And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab. And [there was] a sore famine in Samaria.

  • 1 Kings 20:1

    ยถ And Benhadad the king of Syria gathered all his host together: and [there were] thirty and two kings with him, and horses, and chariots: and he went up and besieged Samaria, and warred against it.
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