Hoshea, son of Elah, was the last king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 732 to 722 BC. His reign is notably marked by the subjugation of Israel to the Assyrian Empire, a pivotal event that led to the eventual fall of Samaria and the exile of the Israelites.

Ascension to the Throne

Hoshea came to power through a conspiracy against his predecessor, King Pekah. The biblical account in 2 Kings 15:30 states, "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." His rise to power was likely facilitated by the Assyrians, who had vested interests in the region and saw Hoshea as a more pliable ruler.

Vassalage to Assyria

Upon ascending the throne, Hoshea initially submitted to the Assyrian king, Shalmaneser V, becoming a vassal and paying tribute. This relationship is documented in 2 Kings 17:3: "Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute." This arrangement was typical of the Assyrian imperial strategy, which sought to control territories through local puppet kings who would ensure the flow of resources and loyalty to the empire.

Rebellion and Downfall

Despite his initial submission, Hoshea's loyalty to Assyria wavered. He sought to free Israel from Assyrian dominance by forming an alliance with Egypt, a move that proved disastrous. 2 Kings 17:4 records, "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."

This act of rebellion prompted Shalmaneser V to besiege Samaria, the capital of Israel. The siege lasted for three years, culminating in the capture of the city and the deportation of the Israelites. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom, as described 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."

Religious and Moral Context

The biblical narrative attributes the fall of Israel to the spiritual and moral failures of its people and leaders. 2 Kings 17:7-23 provides a theological explanation, emphasizing that the Israelites had sinned against the LORD by adopting idolatrous practices and rejecting His commandments. Hoshea's reign, therefore, is seen as the culmination of a long history of apostasy and disobedience, leading to divine judgment through the Assyrian conquest.

Legacy

Hoshea's legacy is one of political miscalculation and spiritual decline. His attempt to resist Assyrian control through an alliance with Egypt reflects a failure to trust in the LORD, as well as a misunderstanding of the geopolitical realities of his time. The fall of Samaria and the subsequent exile of the Israelites serve as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from God's covenant.2 Kings 17:3
Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
Nave's Topical Index

Appendices
... 783 Zeohariah 742 Shallum 741 Menahem 741 Pays tribute to Tiglath-pileser 738 Pekahiah
737 Pekah 736 Hoshea 733 or ... And the king of Israel had built. ... of Israel. ...
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