Topical Encyclopedia Hoshea, son of Elah, was the last king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 732 to 722 BC. His reign is marked by political instability, idolatry, and ultimately, the fall of Samaria and the northern kingdom to the Assyrian Empire. Hoshea's account is primarily recorded in 2 Kings 17, which provides a detailed account of his reign and the circumstances leading to Israel's downfall.Ascension to the Throne Hoshea came to power through conspiracy and violence. He assassinated Pekah, the previous king, and seized the throne. "In the twentieth year of Jotham son of Uzziah, Hoshea son of Elah became king of Israel in Samaria, and he reigned nine years" (2 Kings 15:30). His rise to power was indicative of the political turmoil and moral decay that characterized the northern kingdom during this period. Political Alliances and Rebellion Hoshea's reign was marked by a complex web of political alliances and betrayals. Initially, he became a vassal to Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, paying tribute to maintain a semblance of independence. However, Hoshea's loyalty was fickle. "But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired, for he had sent messengers 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" (2 Kings 17:4). This act of rebellion against Assyria was a critical miscalculation, leading to the siege of Samaria. Religious Apostasy The spiritual state of Israel under Hoshea was one of profound apostasy. Despite witnessing the consequences of idolatry in previous reigns, Hoshea continued in the sins of Jeroboam, which included the worship of golden calves and other pagan practices. "And the Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built for themselves high places in all their cities" (2 Kings 17:9). This persistent idolatry provoked the LORD's anger, as the people rejected His covenant and commandments. The Fall of Samaria The culmination of Hoshea's reign was the fall of Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, after a three-year siege by the Assyrians. "In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria" (2 Kings 17:6). This event marked the end of the northern kingdom and the beginning of the Assyrian exile, fulfilling the prophetic warnings given by the LORD through His prophets. Legacy Hoshea's reign is remembered as a period of national decline and spiritual rebellion. His failure to lead Israel in righteousness and his political missteps contributed to the nation's destruction. The biblical narrative emphasizes that the fall of Israel was not merely a result of political factors but was primarily due to the people's unfaithfulness to God. "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 had feared other gods" (2 Kings 17:7). Hoshea's reign serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of turning away from the LORD and the importance of covenant faithfulness. Nave's Topical Index 2 Kings 17:1,2In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. Nave's Topical Index Library How Shalmaneser Took Samaria by Force and How He Transplanted the ... The Divided Kingdom. First and Second Kings. The Assyrian Captivity Nineveh. The Prophet Hosea. The Old Testament and Archeology The Antiquities of the Jews The Earlier Hebrew Histories. Appendices Resources What is the Jewish Bible / Tanakh? | GotQuestions.orgWhat 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 Subtopics Hoshea: Also Called Oshea: The Original Name of Joshua Hoshea: King of Israel: Assassinates Pekah and Usurps the Throne Hoshea: King of Israel: Becomes Subject to Assyria Hoshea: King of Israel: Conspires Against Assyria and is Imprisoned Hoshea: King of Israel: Last King of Israel Hoshea: King of Israel: The Evil Reign of Related Terms |
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