Hoshea, son of Elah, is a significant figure in the history of ancient Israel, known primarily for his role as the last king of the northern kingdom of Israel. His reign marks the end of the Israelite monarchy and the beginning of the Assyrian exile, a pivotal event in biblical history.

Historical Context

Hoshea ascended to the throne of Israel during a tumultuous period marked by political instability and spiritual decline. He became king after assassinating Pekah, the previous ruler, as recorded in 2 Kings 15:30: "Then Hoshea son of Elah conspired against Pekah son of Remaliah, attacked and killed him, and reigned in his place in the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah."

Hoshea's reign is chronicled in 2 Kings 17, where it is noted that he ruled for nine years. His tenure as king was characterized by a complex relationship with the Assyrian Empire, which was the dominant power in the region at the time. Initially, Hoshea was a vassal to Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, paying tribute to maintain a semblance of autonomy for Israel.

Rebellion and Downfall

Despite his initial compliance, Hoshea eventually rebelled against Assyrian dominance. He sought an alliance with Egypt, hoping to gain support against Assyria. This act of defiance is detailed in 2 Kings 17:4: "But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send 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."

Hoshea's rebellion proved disastrous for Israel. Shalmaneser V responded by besieging Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, for three years. The city eventually fell, leading to the capture and exile of the Israelites. This event is recorded in 2 Kings 17:6: "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria. He settled them in Halah, in Gozan on the Habor River, and in the towns of the Medes."

Spiritual and Theological Implications

The fall of Samaria and the subsequent exile of the Israelites are seen as a direct consequence of the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. The biblical narrative emphasizes that Hoshea's reign, like those of his predecessors, was marked by evil in the sight of the Lord. 2 Kings 17:7-8 explains, "All this took place because the Israelites had sinned against the LORD their God, who had brought them up out of the land of Egypt and from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. They had worshiped other gods and walked in the customs of the nations that the LORD had driven out before the Israelites, as well as in the practices introduced by the kings of Israel."

The exile served as a divine judgment, fulfilling the warnings given by the prophets. It underscored the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, highlighting the consequences of forsaking the covenant. The Assyrian exile marked the dispersion of the ten northern tribes, often referred to as the "Lost Tribes of Israel."

Legacy

Hoshea's legacy is one of caution, illustrating the perils of political alliances that disregard divine guidance and the inevitable downfall that follows national apostasy. His reign serves as a somber reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God and the dire consequences of turning away from His commandments. The account of Hoshea and the fall of Israel remains a poignant chapter in the biblical narrative, reflecting the themes of judgment, exile, and the hope of eventual restoration.Nehemiah 10:23
Hoshea, Hananiah, Hashub,
Nave's Topical Index

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... Book of Ruth, which was formerly, in the Jewish collections, regarded as ... it on to
the time of the Exile, a period ... Hoshea began to reign in Israel (2 Kings 15:30 ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... are the kings of Israel from Jeroboam to Hoshea. ... of Daniel; the seventy years of
exile are extended by seven according to the Jewish predilection for ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

The Sermon on the Mount - the Kingdom of Christ and Rabbinic ...
... valley beneath; so the far-of exile sees in his ... all depends: till all be fulfilled.'
Jewish tradition mentions ... Sarai), was added to that of Hoshea, making him ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xviii the sermon on.htm

The Old Testament and Archeology
... Pekah, their king, they slew, Hoshea to rule over them ... the Nile, was the seat of
a Jewish colony at ... of the Jews in Palestine after the exile the inscriptions ...
/.../the christian view of the old testament/chapter iv the old testament.htm

What is the Jewish Bible / Tanakh? | GotQuestions.org

What was Abraham's religion before God called him? | GotQuestions.org

Old Testament Individuals ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus