Definition: 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.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 16:24. It's a really significant passage about God’s plan for Israel and its future. Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, God is giving Israel a huge opportunity to build a new city – Samaria – as a gift to His people. Here’s a breakdown of the key parts: “And he bought the hill Samaria of Shemer for two talents of silver…” - This is a fancy way of saying God purchased this hill. “Two talents” was a unit of currency in ancient times, roughly equivalent to $10,000 USD today. So, God is investing a substantial amount of money in this project. “…and built on the hill, and called the name of the city which he built, after the name of Shemer…” - This describes what God does with the hill. He builds a new city, and he names it “Samaria” – which is the same name as the original city of Israel! This is a symbolic act – it's like giving the people a new home and identity. “After the name of Shemer, owner of the hill…” - This is very important. It means that the city will be built in honor of the original owner of the hill. It’s a tribute to the people who originally settled there. What does this all mean? This verse speaks about God's plan for Israel, particularly concerning Samaria. It signifies: God’s Favor: This is a powerful display of His love and care for his people. A New Beginning: Building a new city demonstrates God’s desire to rebuild and restore His nation. Recognition & Honor: The name “Shemer” being given to the city shows that God recognizes and values the original inhabitants of the hill. In short, it's a story about God investing in Israel and establishing a permanent place for them to flourish. --- Do you want me to: Explain another part of this verse? Give you some historical context (like when this happened)? Talk about the significance of Samaria as a city?