2 Kings 17:1-6

Israel's King Hoshea

1 In the twelfth year of Judah's King Ahaz, Hoshea son of Elah became king over Israel in Samaria; [he reigned] nine years.

2 He did what was evil in the Lord's sight, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him.

3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute money.

4 But the king of Assyria discovered a conspiracy by Hoshea-he had sent envoys to So king of Egypt^[a] and had not paid tribute money to the king of Assyria as in previous years.^[b] Therefore, the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison.

5 Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years.^[c]

The Fall of Samaria

6 In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria. He deported the Israelites to Assyria and settled them in Halah and by the Habor, Gozan's river, and in the cities of the Medes.^[d]

2 Kings 17:1-6 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 17

This chapter relates the captivity of the ten tribes of Israel, and how it came about, 2Ki 17:1-6, the cause of it, their idolatry, which they persisted in, notwithstanding the remonstrances made against it, 2Ki 17:7-23, in whose stead were placed people from different parts, who exercised a mixed religion, partly Heathenish, and partly Israelitish, 2Ki 17:24.

Footnotes

• [a]. Isa 31:1
• [b]. Lit as year by year
• [c]. 2 Kg 18:9-10; Hs 13:16
• [d]. 2 Kg 18:10-11; Dt 28:64