When the temple was rebuilt at Jerusalem, the Samaritans wished to join the Jews in its erection. This privilege was refused them, and, in consequence, a bitter animosity sprang up between the two people, which resulted in the Samaritans building a rival temple on Mount Gerizim, where they worshiped according to the ceremonies that God gave unto Moses, but mingled with their worship the taint of idolatry. But disasters attended the Samaritans, their temple was destroyed by the enemy, and they seemed to be under a curse. {2SP 143.1}

Da templet blev genopbygget i Jerusalem, ønskede samaritanerne at forene sig med jøderne om at bygge det. Dette blev ikke tilladt, og som en følge heraf opstod der et bittert kendskab mellem disse to folk, hvilket havde tilfølge, at samaritanerne også byggede et tempel på bjerget Garisim, hvor de tilbad i overensstemmelse med de forskrifter, som Gud gav ved Moses, men blandede deres gudsdyrkelse med adskilligt afguderi. Men det gik samaritanerne dårligt, deres tempel blev ødelagt af fjenden, og der syntes at hvile en forbandelse over dem.