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Omri, Ahab, and their successors held high court, contains but few remains of its
ancient grandeur. But these are sufficiently remarkable.^275
The ancient Acropolis, or temple, palace, and citadel, seems to have stood on the
western brow of the hill, and its site is still marked by the ruins of a most magnificent
colonnade composed of graceful monoliths. The approach to the castle must have been
by ascending terraces, which, no doubt, were covered with houses and palaces. Of
these not a trace is left. Only on the topmost height - from which, westwards, the
Mediterranean, and eastwards, across swelling mountains, a landscape of unrivaled
beauty and fertility were full in view - a few broken and upturned pillars mark the site
of the royal castle. The dynasties that reigned there have long been swept away; the
people over whom they ruled carried into a captivity over which the veil of
impenetrable mystery lies. Only the word of the LORD has stood firm and immovable.
Of Nadab, of Baasha, of Elah, of Zimri, and of Omri, Scripture has only one and the
same thing to say, that they walked in the way and in the sin of Jeroboam, the son of
Nebat, "wherewith he made Israel to sin, to provoke Jehovah, the God of Israel, to
anger." And over each and all did the same judgment sweep. And yet there were more
grievous sins to follow, and more terrible judgments to come."^276
(^)