Archaeology: Samaria

Few cities are mentioned more times in the Old Testament than Samaria. Excavations have uncovered much of the city and have found it to have been extravagant, prosperous, and strong.

For most of the history of the kingdom of Israel -- after the kingdom was split in two following Solomon's rule -- Samaria was the third, and last, capital of the northern kingdom. The Bible speaks of this well-fortified city built by King Omri and King Ahab.

Although much of the ruins of the Old Testament period were destroyed when King Herod built over and through earlier levels, enough has been found to show that Samaria was extravagant and strong, as described in the Old Testament (cf. 1 Kings 16:24; 2 Kings 6-22; 2 Chronicles 18, and the prophets Hosea, Amos, and Micah). Amos refers to houses and beds of ivory (Amos 3:15; 6:4).

Kyle Campbell