1 Kings 16:24

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
First Kings 16:24 records a pivotal moment in the history of the Northern Kingdom of Israel: King Omri's strategic purchase of the hill of Samaria for two talents of silver and his subsequent construction of a new capital city, which he named Samaria after its former owner, Shemer. This act marked the establishment of a powerful and defensible administrative center that would serve as the capital for over two centuries, profoundly shaping the political and religious trajectory of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a tumultuous period in the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/16 "1 Kings 16 - Omri's Reign and Wickedness"), specifically detailing the reign of Omri, one of the most significant but also most wicked kings of the Northern Kingdom. The preceding verses ([1 Kings 16:15-22](/1_kings/16-15 "1 Kings 16:15-22 - Zimri's Reign and Omri's Ascension")) describe a chaotic succession of short-lived kings—Zimri, Tibni—and the violent power struggles that followed the assassination of Elah. Zimri's brief seven-day reign ended with him burning the royal palace at Tirzah, the previous capital, effectively destroying it ([1 Kings 16:18](/1_kings/16-18 "1 Kings 16:18 - Destruction of Tirzah")). This destruction necessitated a new capital, setting the stage for Omri's decisive action. The verses immediately following ([1 Kings 16:25-28](/1_kings/16-25 "1 Kings 16:25-28 - Omri's Wickedness and Death")) condemn Omri's reign as more evil than all who came before him, highlighting his spiritual apostasy despite his political and military achievements, and introduce his son Ahab, who would continue and intensify this wickedness.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Omri reigned from approximately 885-874 BC. His era was characterized by significant political instability within Israel, but also by Omri's remarkable geopolitical acumen. The destruction of Tirzah created an urgent need for a new, secure capital. Omri's choice of the hill of Samaria was strategically brilliant. Located in the central hill country, it was naturally defensible, rising steeply from the surrounding valleys, and commanded excellent views. This made it an ideal site for a fortified city, offering both security and control over key trade routes. The purchase of land for a capital city was a significant undertaking, demonstrating Omri's financial resources and administrative capability. Naming cities after their founders or previous owners was a common practice in the ancient Near East, signifying ownership and continuity. Omri's reign, though brief, laid the foundation for the Omride dynasty, which would become a dominant force in the region, engaging with powerful neighbors like Aram and Phoenicia.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Divided Kingdom") and the broader narrative of Israel's monarchy. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **human agency and strategic planning**, demonstrating Omri's foresight and practical wisdom in securing a stable foundation for his kingdom. Secondly, it highlights the **significance of a capital city** as the heart of national identity, administration, and often, religious life. Samaria would become synonymous with the Northern Kingdom itself, a symbol of its prosperity but also its deep-seated idolatry. Thirdly, the act of purchasing and building contrasts sharply with the **spiritual decline** that characterized Omri's reign and that of his successors. While Omri achieved political stability and built an impressive city, his spiritual legacy was one of profound wickedness, setting a dangerous precedent for the nation ([1 Kings 16:25](/1_kings/16-25 "1 Kings 16:25 - Omri's Wickedness")). This tension between worldly success and spiritual failure is a recurring motif throughout the prophetic books concerning Israel.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Samaria (Hebrew, _Shomron'_):** This name, given to the city built by Omri, directly derives from Shemer, the original owner of the hill. The name itself means "watch-mountain" or "watch-tower," which aptly describes its elevated and defensible position. Over time, "Samaria" became not only the name of the city but also the designation for the entire central region of the Northern Kingdom, and later, for its inhabitants, often associated with their syncretistic religious practices and opposition to Jerusalem.
* **Talents of Silver (Hebrew, _kikkerey kesef'_):** A "talent" (כִּכָּר, _kikkar_) was a substantial unit of weight, typically around 75 pounds (approximately 34 kg) in the ancient Near East. "Two talents of silver" thus represented an enormous sum, equivalent to thousands of shekels. This significant cost underscores the immense value Omri placed on the strategic location and his financial capacity to acquire it. It highlights the importance and permanence he intended for his new capital, signaling a long-term investment in the stability and future of his dynasty.
* **Bought (Hebrew, _wayyiqen'_):** The verb "bought" (וַיִּקֶן, from קָנָה, _qanah_) signifies a formal, legal transaction, not a conquest or seizure. This detail emphasizes Omri's legitimacy in acquiring the land and establishing his capital. It suggests a deliberate, calculated act of statecraft, distinguishing his reign from the chaotic and violent power grabs that preceded him. The act of purchase also implies a level of peace and order that Omri was establishing, enabling such a transaction to occur.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver":** This clause details the acquisition of the land. "He" refers to King Omri. The "hill Samaria" refers to the specific elevated geographical feature, not yet the city. The seller is explicitly named as "Shemer," indicating a personal transaction. The price, "two talents of silver," emphasizes the substantial investment and the strategic value placed on this location, signaling Omri's wealth and determination.
* **"and built on the hill":** This phrase describes the subsequent action taken by Omri after the purchase. It signifies the construction of the city itself, transforming the raw land into a fortified urban center. This building project was a massive undertaking, requiring significant resources, labor, and architectural planning, demonstrating Omri's administrative prowess and ambition to establish a lasting capital.
* **"and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria":** This final clause explains the naming of the new capital. The city is named "Samaria" (שֹׁמְרוֹן, _Shomron_), directly linking it to the previous owner, Shemer. This practice was common in ancient times, serving as a memorial or acknowledgment of the land's heritage, even as it was now under new ownership and purpose. This act formally establishes the city's identity and its connection to its geographical origin.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several literary devices to convey its significance. **Metonymy** is evident as "Samaria" quickly becomes synonymous not just with the city, but with the entire Northern Kingdom of Israel, representing its political and religious identity. The act of building itself serves as **Symbolism**, representing Omri's attempt to establish a new, stable foundation for his kingdom after a period of extreme instability. However, there is a profound **Irony** at play: Omri's strategic brilliance in choosing and building such a defensible and enduring capital stands in stark contrast to his profound spiritual wickedness ([1 Kings 16:25](/1_kings/16-25 "1 Kings 16:25 - Omri's Wickedness")). His human achievement in building a great city ultimately serves a kingdom that is spiritually rotten and destined for destruction due to its departure from God. This also functions as **Foreshadowing**, as Samaria would indeed become a central stage for the Northern Kingdom's idolatry and later, its judgment and fall.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The establishment of Samaria by Omri, while a testament to human strategic genius and administrative capability, stands in stark contrast to God's own chosen place for worship and governance in Jerusalem. Omri's decision was driven by political expediency and the desire for a secure, independent capital, rather than a divine mandate. This act further solidified the division between the Northern and Southern Kingdoms, creating a rival center of power and, eventually, a rival religious system that diverged significantly from the Mosaic covenant. The narrative implicitly critiques such human-centered foundations, reminding us that true security and lasting prosperity for a nation are found not in strategic locations or material wealth, but in faithfulness to God's commands. While Omri built a physically strong city, he built a spiritually weak kingdom, ultimately leading to its downfall.

* [Deuteronomy 12:5](/deuteronomy/12-5 "Deuteronomy 12:5 - God's Chosen Place")
* [Jeremiah 7:4](/jeremiah/7-4 "Jeremiah 7:4 - False Security in the Temple")
* [Amos 3:9-11](/amos/3-9 "Amos 3:9-11 - Samaria's Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Omri building Samaria offers a profound reflection on the nature of human ambition and the foundations we lay. Omri was undeniably a shrewd and effective ruler, capable of bringing stability and prosperity to a fractured kingdom. His choice of Samaria was a masterstroke of strategic planning, creating a city that would endure for centuries. Yet, the biblical narrative consistently frames his reign, and indeed the entire Omride dynasty, as one of profound spiritual failure, marked by idolatry and a deviation from God's covenant. This challenges us to consider what kind of "foundations" we are building in our own lives, families, and communities. Are we prioritizing worldly success, security, and material gain at the expense of spiritual integrity and faithfulness to God? The longevity and strength of Samaria could not ultimately save the Northern Kingdom from divine judgment, because its foundation was not rooted in righteousness. True and lasting security, both individually and corporately, comes not from human ingenuity or impressive achievements, but from obedience to God and a commitment to His ways. We are called to build on a foundation that will withstand the tests of time and eternity, one that aligns with God's purposes, not merely our own strategic advantages.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foundations" are you currently building in your life, and what are they ultimately based upon?**
* **How do you balance practical wisdom and strategic planning with spiritual integrity and faithfulness to God?**
* **In what ways might worldly success or impressive achievements distract from or even undermine a deeper commitment to God's will?**
* **What lessons can we draw from Omri's legacy about the ultimate value of human endeavors apart from God?**

### FAQ
**Why was a new capital city needed for the Northern Kingdom?**

Answer: A new capital was urgently needed due to the intense political instability and violence that preceded Omri's reign. The previous capital, Tirzah, had been destroyed by Zimri, who set fire to the royal palace during his brief, seven-day reign as king ([1 Kings 16:18](/1_kings/16-18 "1 Kings 16:18 - Destruction of Tirzah")). This left the Northern Kingdom without a secure administrative and political center, necessitating Omri's strategic decision to establish a new capital at Samaria.

**What was the significance of "two talents of silver" as the purchase price?**

Answer: "Two talents of silver" was an enormous sum in the ancient world, representing a massive financial investment. A talent was a unit of weight, roughly 75 pounds (34 kg), so two talents would be 150 pounds of silver. This substantial price underscores the strategic value and importance Omri placed on the hill of Samaria. It highlights his wealth, his determination to establish a permanent and secure capital, and the significance of this transaction as a formal acquisition rather than a conquest. It also suggests the perceived value of the land's defensibility and potential.

**Who was King Omri, and what was his significance beyond building Samaria?**

Answer: King Omri was a powerful and influential ruler of the Northern Kingdom of Israel (c. 885-874 BC). While the biblical account in [1 Kings 16](/1_kings/16 "1 Kings 16 - Omri's Reign") is relatively brief, it condemns him as more wicked than any king before him ([1 Kings 16:25](/1_kings/16-25 "1 Kings 16:25 - Omri's Wickedness")). However, extrabiblical sources (like the Mesha Stele) indicate he was a significant geopolitical figure, establishing a powerful dynasty that expanded Israel's influence and engaged in important diplomatic relations, particularly with Phoenicia. His son, Ahab, continued his policies and married Jezebel, further cementing the Omride dynasty's legacy of idolatry and political strength. Omri's reign brought stability after a period of chaos, but at the cost of deepening Israel's spiritual apostasy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Omri building Samaria, a physically strong but spiritually corrupt capital, serves as a poignant backdrop for understanding the true and lasting foundation laid by Christ. Omri's ambition was to establish a secure earthly kingdom, yet his efforts were ultimately flawed by his profound wickedness, leading to the eventual judgment and destruction of Samaria and the Northern Kingdom. In contrast, Christ came not to establish an earthly capital built by human hands, but to build His Church, a spiritual kingdom founded upon Himself as the chief cornerstone ([Ephesians 2:20](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ the Cornerstone")). Unlike Samaria, which became a center of idolatry, the Church is called to be a dwelling place for God's Spirit ([1 Corinthians 3:16](/1_corinthians/3-16 "1 Corinthians 3:16 - Temple of the Holy Spirit")). The security Omri sought through a defensible hill is found in Christ through His atoning work, which provides eternal salvation and true peace, a peace that surpasses all understanding ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - Peace of God")). Ultimately, while Omri built a city named after a man, Christ is building a heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, whose builder and architect is God Himself ([Hebrews 11:10](/hebrews/11-10 "Hebrews 11:10 - City with Foundations")), a city where righteousness dwells and where God's people will reside forever in perfect communion with Him ([Revelation 21:2-4](/revelation/21-2 "Revelation 21:2-4 - The New Jerusalem")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.