Topical Bible: Citizens: Wicked: Hoshea

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Topical Encyclopedia

Hoshea, the last king of Israel, is a significant figure in the biblical narrative, particularly in the context of the Northern Kingdom's decline and eventual fall. His reign is marked by political instability, idolatry, and ultimately, the Assyrian conquest that led to the exile of the Israelites.

Background and Reign

Hoshea, son of Elah, ascended to the throne of Israel after conspiring against and assassinating King Pekah. His reign is recorded in 2 Kings 17:1-6. He ruled for nine years, from approximately 732 to 723 BC, during a tumultuous period in Israel's history. The biblical account portrays Hoshea as a king who "did evil in the sight of the LORD, but not like the kings of Israel who preceded him" (2 Kings 17:2). This suggests that while his actions were wicked, they were not as egregious as those of some of his predecessors.

Political Alliances and Betrayal

Hoshea's reign was characterized by political maneuvering and shifting alliances. Initially, he became a vassal to Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, and paid tribute to him. However, Hoshea's loyalty to Assyria was short-lived. He sought to form an alliance with So, king of Egypt, in a bid to gain independence from Assyrian dominance. This act of rebellion is noted in 2 Kings 17:4: "But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired, for he had sent envoys to So king of Egypt and had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore, the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison" .

The Fall of Samaria

Hoshea's rebellion against Assyria led to dire consequences for the Northern Kingdom. Shalmaneser V responded by besieging Samaria, the capital of Israel, for three years. The city eventually fell in 723 BC, during the reign of Shalmaneser's successor, Sargon II. The fall of Samaria marked the end of the Northern Kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian exile. The biblical narrative attributes this calamity to the persistent idolatry and disobedience of the Israelites, as detailed in 2 Kings 17:7-23. The text emphasizes that the Israelites "sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt" and "worshiped other gods" (2 Kings 17:7).

Religious and Moral Failings

Hoshea's reign is emblematic of the broader spiritual and moral decline of Israel. Despite the warnings of prophets and the clear commandments of God, the people continued in their idolatrous practices. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17 highlights the various sins of the Israelites, including the worship of false gods, the erection of high places, and the practice of child sacrifice. These actions provoked the LORD to anger, leading to the eventual judgment and exile of the nation.

Legacy

Hoshea's legacy is one of failure and judgment. As the last king of Israel, his reign culminated in the loss of the Northern Kingdom and the dispersion of its people. His account serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of faithfulness to God. The narrative of Hoshea and the fall of Israel underscores the biblical theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of prophetic warnings.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Kings 15:30
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
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Library

The Antiquities of the Jews
... As Also What He Did For The Punishment Of The Wicked. ... How Pekah Died By The Treachery
Of Hoshea Who Was A ... Nation Of The Jews And Made Them Citizens Of Those ...
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