2 Kings 17:1-4

Hoshea Last King of Israel

1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years.

2 He did evil in the eyes of the LORD, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him.

3 Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack Hoshea, who had been Shalmaneser’s vassal and had paid him tribute.

4 But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was a traitor, for he had sent envoys to So^[a] king of Egypt, and he no longer paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison.

2 Kings 17:1-4 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.

Cross References

• 1. 2 Kings 15:30
• 2. S Deuteronomy 4:25
• 3. 2 Kings 18:9-12; Hosea 10:14
• 4. S Judges 3:15
• 5. Psalms 146:3; Isaiah 30:1,7; Isaiah 36:6; Jeremiah 2:36; Hosea 12:1
• 6. Hosea 13:10

Footnotes

• [a] "So" is probably an abbreviation for "Osorkon."