1 Kings 16 24

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.

1 Kings 16:24 nkjv

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

1 Kings 16:24 niv

He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver and built a city on the hill, calling it Samaria, after Shemer, the name of the former owner of the hill.

1 Kings 16:24 esv

He bought the hill of Samaria from Shemer for two talents of silver, and he fortified the hill and called the name of the city that he built Samaria, after the name of Shemer, the owner of the hill.

1 Kings 16:24 nlt

Then Omri bought the hill now known as Samaria from its owner, Shemer, for 150 pounds of silver. He built a city on it and called the city Samaria in honor of Shemer.

1 Kings 16 verses

1 Kings 16 24 Meaning

1 Kings 16:24 states that Omri, the king of Israel, purchased a hill named Samaria from its owner Shemer for a sum of two talents of silver. Subsequently, Omri built a city on this newly acquired hill and named it Samaria, in honor of Shemer, the former proprietor of the land. This verse marks the founding and naming of the future capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel.

1 Kings 16 24 Context

1 Kings 16 details a turbulent period in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Following Jeroboam I's death, several kings rose and fell quickly, often through assassination, indicating significant political instability and a lack of a lasting dynasty. Zimri, who murdered Elah (Baasha's son), reigned only seven days before Omri, a commander of the army, became king and laid siege to Tirzah. Omri then defeated Tibni, another contender, consolidating his rule. It is within this context of securing his kingdom that Omri undertakes the strategic action recorded in verse 24. Instead of settling in a pre-existing tribal center or former capital like Shechem or Tirzah, Omri chooses a neutral, unpopulated, and geographically advantageous hill to build a completely new capital, symbolizing a fresh start and strong central authority for his reign. Historically, this move established Samaria as a new power center, strategically positioned and highly defensible, indicating Omri's significant political and military foresight despite his overall moral assessment by the biblical author.

1 Kings 16 24 Word analysis

• And he bought (וַיִּקֶן, vayiken): The imperfect consecutive verb emphasizes Omri's decisive action. This signifies a legal and intentional commercial transaction, not a military conquest or appropriation of land. It underscores Omri's ability to finance such an acquisition, demonstrating his wealth and established authority as king. This act reveals his shrewdness and intention to consolidate power in a secure and independent location.
• the hill (הָהָר, ha-har): The definite article highlights a specific and identifiable topographical feature. Hills were often chosen for cities due to their natural defensive advantages and strategic overview, providing an elevated position against potential attackers. This choice indicates Omri's focus on security and defensibility for his new capital.
• Samaria (שֹׁמְרוֹן, shomeron): This is the first mention of the city name in the biblical narrative. Its derivation is explicitly tied to its original owner, Shemer. While the verse here attributes its name to Shemer, the city would later become immensely significant as the capital of the Northern Kingdom, known for its strategic importance and, lamentably, its central role in Israel's idolatry and spiritual decline.
• of Shemer (שֶׁמֶר, shemer): A proper noun identifying the previous owner of the hill. The inclusion of his name underscores the private, legal nature of the transaction and signifies Omri's respect for the land's ownership, despite being a powerful king. This adds a detail that legitimizes Omri's acquisition.
• for two talents of silver (בִּשְׁנֵי כִּכְּרֵי כֶסֶף, bishnei kikkəre khēseph): "Talent" (כִּכָּר, kikkar) was a significant unit of weight for precious metals (approximately 75 pounds or 34 kilograms). Two talents, therefore, represent a very large sum (around 150 pounds of silver), indicating that this was an expensive and substantial investment for an unoccupied piece of land. This demonstrates Omri's considerable financial resources and the immense strategic value he placed on this particular location.
• and built on the hill (וַיִּבֶן עַל הָהָר, vayiven al ha-har): This phrase conveys that Omri undertook significant construction and development, not merely a simple settlement. It suggests the establishment of proper urban infrastructure, fortifications, and a royal residence. This deliberate act transformed an empty hill into a functioning city, ready to serve as a royal capital.
• and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer, owner of the hill, Samaria (וַיִּקְרָא אֶת שֵׁם הָעִיר אֲשֶׁר בָּנָה עַל שֵׁם שֶׁמֶר אֲדֹנֵי הָהָר שֹׁמְרוֹן, vayiqra et shem ha-ir asher banah al shem Shemer adonei ha-har Shomeron): This lengthy phrase explicitly details the naming convention. It was common practice to name cities after their founders, prominent individuals, or physical features. By naming it after Shemer, Omri honored the original owner, reinforcing the legitimacy of his purchase. It also implies that Omri established a new identity for his kingdom's capital, deliberately untying it from earlier, often tumultuous, historical associations with tribal or religious centers in Israel. This focus on the human founder contrasts sharply with city names derived from God's intervention or promises.

1 Kings 16 24 Bonus section

• Omri's Legacy: Though mentioned in only a few verses, Omri's political foresight in establishing Samaria made him notable enough that later, the Assyrians referred to Israel as "the House of Omri" (Bit-Humria) long after his death, demonstrating his significant, enduring political impact.
• Geopolitical Move: The creation of Samaria represents a sophisticated geopolitical maneuver, ensuring the capital's independence from potentially rival religious and tribal centers like Bethel or Shechem, thereby centralizing power effectively in the hands of the king.
• Irony of Foundation: The foundation of Samaria, meant to secure Omri's political power, ultimately became a symbol of Israel's greatest spiritual weakness, leading to repeated divine judgment prophesied by later prophets against the city and its inhabitants.

1 Kings 16 24 Commentary

1 Kings 16:24 concisely records Omri's most impactful political and administrative decision: the establishment of Samaria as the new capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Following a prolonged period of political instability and rapid succession, Omri, a militarily and politically astute king, identified and acquired a strategic hill from its owner, Shemer. The considerable sum of two talents of silver underscores both Omri's financial capacity and the high strategic value he placed on this unaligned, defensible, and centrally located site. Building a new city from the ground up, detached from the historical tribal divisions and past political upheavals of older capitals like Shechem or Tirzah, allowed Omri to assert unchallenged authority and consolidate his nascent dynasty's power. While the text elsewhere condemns Omri for his unrighteous reign, this particular act highlights his political genius and pragmatic leadership in securing a stable base. However, this foundational act inadvertently set the stage for Samaria to become the epicenter of apostasy and idolatry under Omri's successors, particularly Ahab and Jezebel, earning it severe prophetic condemnation and cementing its legacy as a symbol of Israel's spiritual decline, culminating in its eventual destruction by Assyria.