Wording of this Handout:
Old Testament prophecy - made simple!
Part Two.
The prophets Hosea and Micah both predicted the downfall of the city of Samaria - the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. When you put their predictions together you get this:
1. Samaria would fall violently
2. Samaria would end up looking like a heap in the field.
3. Samaria would become a countryside again, with grape vines growing there.
4. The stories from the city would be poured down into the valley
5. Even the foundations would be uncovered
When the prophets made these predictions Samaria was a big strong city, with solid walls and an army to defend it. The Israelites were confident that Samaria was going to be around for a long time...but soon after God spoke through His prophets. King Sargon arrived. He was the first of three invaders who marched through the area - then came Alexander and John Hyrcanus.
Here is what Floyd Hamilton wrote after visiting the place where Samaria once stood: "Today the top of the hill where Samaria stood is a cultivated field with the foundations of the columns marking the place where the palaces and mansions stood. At the foot of the hill, in the valley, lie the foundation stones of the city..."
Samaria will fall!
Never!
Impossible!
Can't Happen!
Give up!
Ha!
Go Away!
The Bible says: "I will make Samaria as a heap of the field, and as planting of a vineyard; and I will pour down the stones thereof into the valley, and I will discover (or uncover) the foundations thereof." Micah 1:6 (King James version)