1 Kings 16:24

24 Omri bought a hill from Shemer for 150 pounds of silver. He fortified the hill and built the city of Samaria on it. He named the city after its former owner, Shemer.

1 Kings 16:24 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 16:24

And he bought the hill of Samaria of Shemer, for two talents
of silver
A talent of silver, according to Brerewood ^F6, was of our money three hundred and seventy five pounds, so that this hill was purchased at seven hundred and fifty pounds:

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;
its name from him was Shomeron, which is the Hebrew name for Samaria; which, according to Bunting ^F7 was six miles from Tirzah, and ever after the royal seat of the kings of Israel.

---

FOOTNOTES:

F6 De Ponder. & Pret. c. 4.
F7 Ut supra, (Travels) p. 163.

1 Kings 16:24 In-Context

22 But the half which followed Omri was stronger than the half which followed Tibni, Ginath's son. Tibni died, and Omri became king.

23 Omri began to rule Israel in Asa's thirty-first year as king of Judah. He ruled for 12 years, 6 of them in Tirzah.

24 Omri bought a hill from Shemer for 150 pounds of silver. He fortified the hill and built the city of Samaria on it. He named the city after its former owner, Shemer.

25 Omri did what the LORD considered evil. He did more evil things than all [the kings] before him.

26 He lived exactly like Jeroboam (Nebat's son). He sinned and led Israel to sin with worthless idols, and the Israelites made the LORD God of Israel furious.