(23) In the thirty and first year of Asa king of Judah began Omri to reign over Israel, twelve years: six years reigned he in Tirzah. (24) 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. (25) But Omri wrought evil in the eyes of the LORD, and did worse than all that were before him. (26) For he walked in all the way of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, and in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger with their vanities. (27) Now the rest of the acts of Omri which he did, and his might that he shewed, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? (28) So Omri slept with his fathers, and was buried in Samaria: and Ahab his son reigned in his stead.
As a king of Judah, the good king, had a long and prosperous reign, while all these troubles were going on in Israel. And Omni though successful over Tibni, had but a short triumph, and full of evil. Nay, the Holy Ghost records of him that he did worse than all that were before him: Is it possible that his iniquity could exceed Jeroboam's? Alas! alas! if the Reader be desirous to know the price for which Samaria was bought, it may not be amiss to observe that a talent of silver was in value of our money somewhat about ВЈ350. This hill, as it is here called, is the memorable city of Samaria, where our Lord Jesus directed his steps for the conversion of a poor adulteress there. John 4:5.