Tirzah

Tirzah, a Canaanite city captured by Joshua, later served as the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel before Samaria (Josh. 12:24; 1Kgs. 14:17; 15:21, 33; 16:6-23).

Tirzah was a Canaanite city that was captured by Joshua during the conquest of Canaan (Josh. 12:24). It later became the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel during the reigns of Jeroboam I, Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, and Omri (1Kgs. 14:17; 15:21, 33; 16:6-23). Tirzah served as the royal residence and administrative center until Omri built Samaria, which then became the new capital (1Kgs. 16:23-24). The city is also mentioned in the Song of Solomon, where the beauty of the Shulammite woman is likened to that of Tirzah (Sng.6.4). Tirzah's exact location is uncertain, but it is believed to have been situated in the hill country of Samaria, possibly near modern-day Tell el-Far'ah, about 7 miles northeast of Nablus.

An old royal city of the Canaanites, which was destroyed by Joshua (Josh. 12:24). Jeroboam chose it for his residence, and he removed to it from Shechem, which at first he made the capital of his kingdom. It remained the chief residence of the kings of Israel till Omri took Samaria (1 Kings 14:17; 15:21; 16:6, 8, etc.). Here Zimri perished amid the flames of the palace to which in his despair he had set fire (1 Kings 16:18), and here Menahem smote Shallum (2 Kings 15:14, 16). Solomon refers to its beauty (Cant. 6:4). It has been identified with the modern mud hamlet Teiasir, 11 miles north of Shechem. Others, however, would identify it with Telluza, a village about 6 miles east of Samaria.