Samaria
Samaria applies both to a region and a city. This hilly area belonged to the tribe of Ephraim (see Ephraim) and half the tribe Manasseh (see Manasseh). the city of Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel for about 75 years until the northern kingdom collapsed in 721 B.C. under Assyrian attack.

In New Testament times, the larger Jewish population scorned samaritans because they were descendants of mixed marriages and had strayed from mainstream Jewish teachings. Jesus Christ's stop in Samaria and his conversation with a Samaritan woman were, therefore, particularly significant. Jesus also told a story about a Samaritan who stopped on the road to help a robbery victim after two Jewish religious leaders had passed by without offering aid.

Israel's King Omri builds Samaria on a hill.
1 Kings 16:23-24
A siege against Samaria is miraculously lifted.
2 Kings 6:24 - 7:20
The Bible recounts the activities of various Israelite kings in Samaria.
1 Kings 20:1-43
2 Kings 13:10-19; 17:1-41
2 Chronicles 28:8
Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.
Luke 10:25-37
Jesus talks to a Samaritan woman.
John 4:4-42
The apostles follow Jesus' example and preach the gospel in Samaria.
Acts 8:9-14,25