The Lord called Samaria Oholah, meaning, “Her own tabernacle,” but the Lord loved Samaria, for it represented the ten tribes of Israel. However, they did not love Him as He loved them. Of Samaria, the Lord said,

“Oholah played the harlot even though she was Mine;
And she lusted for her lovers, the neighboring Assyrians,
Who were clothed in purple…

She has never given up her harlotry brought from Egypt,
For in her youth they had lain with her…
“Therefore I have delivered her
Into the hand of her lovers,
Into the hand of the Assyrians,
For whom she lusted.
They uncovered her nakedness,
Took away her sons and daughters,
And slew her with the sword;
She became a byword among women,
For they had executed judgment on her.”
(Ezekiel 23.5–10)

The ten tribes cherished the idols of Egypt and later of Assyria. Therefore, although the children of Israel witnessed the miracles of the Lord on a grand scale—such as no one ever had before, nor has anyone since then—Samaria still desired the idols of the nations.

Once we get an object of affection in the heart, it is hard to get it out of there. It can be done, but it is better just not to let it get in there in the first place. You can help push it out by implanting the word of God within you (James 1.21).