After King Solomon of Israel died around 922 BC, there was division between the tribes of Israel as to who should rule. The land was split into two kingdoms. The southern kingdom was called' Judah'; the northern kingdom was called 'Israel'.
Around 86 BC, the new king of Israel, Omri, founded a new capital city - Samaria. His successor, Ahab, had many new buildings constructed at Samaria, including an 'ivory house' which is mentioned in the Bible (1 Kings 22: 39). Indeed, excavations of Samaria uncovered many fine ivory carvings, including this Sphinx.
The history of Samaria, however, was bloody. It was besieged in about 855 BC by Ben-hadad of Syria; seventy sons of Ahab were beheaded there in 842 BC; and King Sargon II of Assyria destroyed it in 721 BC, deporting its inhabitants to Assyria and Media.
The prediction of the Old Testament prophet Amos, who deplored the luxury and extravagance of the Israelite kings, therefore came true. "'The houses adorned with ivory will be destroyed and the mansions will be demolished', declares the Lord." (Amos 3:15).
