Biblical city
Samaria
Sebastia, West Bank · Northern kingdom of Israel
Omri bought the hill of Samaria and made it the capital of the northern kingdom; Ahab and Jezebel ruled there, and Elijah and Elisha confronted its kings. Assyria captured the city in 722 BC. Herod later rebuilt it as Sebaste.
History in Scripture
Omri bought the hill and built Samaria as capital of the northern kingdom; Ahab and Jezebel ruled there, Elijah and Elisha confronted its kings, and Assyria captured it in 722 BC, deporting Israel. Herod the Great rebuilt it as Sebaste in honour of Augustus, and Philip later preached Christ in the region (Acts 8).
The ancient city
A hill fortress surrounded by fertile slopes, Samaria was chosen for defence and independence from older tribal centres; ivory inlays found there match Amos's rebuke of "houses of ivory".
The site today
Sebastia in the West Bank preserves Herodian colonnades, a theatre and temple platform, along with Israelite palace remains.
Key passages
Sources & notes
Description summarizes standard historical and archaeological reference works. Imagery is added separately and is labeled by type.