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princes, indulged in orgies in the houses of his favorites, while his army was fighting
before Gibbethon. He fell a victim to a court conspiracy. We know only two of the
actors in it: Arza, the steward of the king's palace (or rather, his major-domo), in whose
house Elah was drinking himself drunk, and the king's murderer and successor Zimri,
who filled the post of chief over half his "chariots," or perhaps his cavalry. The reign of
Zimri lasted only seven days, but they were stained by even more than the bloodshed
usual on such occasions. For Zimri destroyed not only the family of his predecessor,
but killed all the "blood-avengers" (relatives, kinsfolk), and even "the friends" of the
late king.
Whether, as Josephus explains (Ant. 8. 12, 4), Zimri had chosen for his rebellion the
moment when all the leading officers were in camp, or Omri himself was originally in
the conspiracy, certain it is that the army was not disposed to acknowledge the new
usurper. It immediately proclaimed their general Omri, and under his leadership
marched back upon Tirzah. Zimri held out until the city was taken, when he retired into
"the citadel of the king's palace,"^273 which he set on fire, perishing in its flames. But
Omri had not at first undisputed possession of the throne.
For four years the people were divided between him and another pretender to the
crown, Tibni, the son of Genath. At length Omri prevailed, and "Tibni died" - either in
battle or, as Josephus seems to imply, (Ant. 8. 12, 5), by command of his rival.
Omri occupied the throne altogether twelve (or part of twelve) years. The first four of
these passed in contests with Tibni. During the next two years he resided in Tirzah.
After that he bought from Shemer for two talents of silver (about £780) the hill of
Samaria. On this commanding position he built the new capital of Israel, which,
according to the sacred text, he named Shomeron,^274 after the former owner of the site.
But on other grounds it deserved to be called "watch-mountain," as the name may be
rendered. Situated about the center of the land, six miles northwest of Shechem, it
occupied a commanding hill, rising from a broad valley, and surrounded on all sides by
mountains, through which there was only a narrow entrance from the west. The
approach to the plateau on which Samaria stood is steep on all sides. Thus the site of
the new capital, which was also distinguished by great beauty, was singularly adapted
both for observation and defense. The country around was very rich, and the place well
supplied with water. A more suitable spot could not have been chosen by monarch or
general. This accounts for the continued importance of Samaria through all the varying
fortunes of the country and its people.
The modern miserable village of Sebustiyeh (the ancient Sebaste), inhabited by less
than one thousand people, which occupies the site of the once splendid city, where
(^)