In the fourth year of Hezekiah's reign, which was the seventh year of the reign of Hoshea son of Elah over Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and besieged it. In the fourth year of Hezekiah’s reignThis phrase sets the historical context for the events described. Hezekiah was a king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and his efforts to reform the religious practices of his people. The fourth year of his reign would place this event around 725 BC. Hezekiah's reign is significant because it marks a period of spiritual renewal in Judah, contrasting with the idolatry and apostasy prevalent in the northern kingdom of Israel. which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel
Hoshea was the last king of Israel, the northern kingdom. His reign was marked by political instability and idolatry, which ultimately led to the downfall of Israel. The seventh year of Hoshea's reign indicates that the northern kingdom was nearing its end, as it would soon fall to the Assyrians. This highlights the consequences of turning away from God, as Israel's persistent disobedience led to its destruction. Shalmaneser king of Assyria
Shalmaneser V was the Assyrian king who initiated the siege of Samaria. The Assyrian Empire was a dominant force in the ancient Near East, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. Shalmaneser's involvement underscores the geopolitical realities of the time, where smaller nations like Israel and Judah were often caught between powerful empires. The Assyrians were instruments of God's judgment against Israel, as prophesied by earlier prophets. marched against Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the northern kingdom of Israel. The phrase "marched against" indicates a deliberate and aggressive military campaign. This action was not just a political maneuver but also a fulfillment of divine prophecy. The siege of Samaria was a direct consequence of Israel's unfaithfulness to God, serving as a sobering reminder of the seriousness of covenantal disobedience. and besieged it
A siege was a common military tactic in the ancient world, involving surrounding a city to cut off supplies and force surrender. The siege of Samaria lasted for three years, demonstrating the determination of the Assyrians and the desperation of the Israelites. This prolonged siege symbolizes the spiritual siege that had already taken place in Israel, where the people's hearts were hardened against God. The fall of Samaria serves as a warning of the inevitable consequences of rejecting God's covenant and the importance of remaining faithful to Him. Persons / Places / Events 1. HezekiahThe king of Judah known for his faithfulness to God and reforms to restore proper worship in Judah. 2. Hoshea son of ElahThe last king of Israel, reigning during the time of the Assyrian conquest of Samaria. 3. ShalmaneserThe king of Assyria who initiated the siege against Samaria, leading to the fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. 4. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which fell to the Assyrians during this period. 5. AssyriaA dominant empire during this time, known for its military conquests and expansion, including the conquest of Israel. Teaching Points Faithfulness vs. UnfaithfulnessHezekiah's reign is marked by faithfulness to God, contrasting with the unfaithfulness of Israel under Hoshea. This serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining true to God's commands. Consequences of DisobedienceThe fall of Samaria illustrates the severe consequences of turning away from God and embracing idolatry. It serves as a warning to remain vigilant in our spiritual walk. God's SovereigntyDespite the political and military turmoil, God's sovereignty is evident. He uses nations and leaders to accomplish His purposes, reminding us to trust in His ultimate plan. The Importance of LeadershipThe contrasting leadership styles of Hezekiah and Hoshea highlight the impact of godly leadership. Leaders are called to guide their people in righteousness and obedience to God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the faithfulness of Hezekiah contrast with the unfaithfulness of Hoshea, and what lessons can we learn about leadership from their examples? 2. In what ways does the fall of Samaria serve as a warning for us today regarding the consequences of disobedience to God? 3. How can we see God's sovereignty at work in the events described in 2 Kings 18:9, and how does this encourage us in our current circumstances? 4. What steps can we take to ensure that we remain faithful to God in a world that often promotes idolatry and disobedience? 5. How do the reforms of Hezekiah in Judah inspire us to pursue spiritual renewal and reform in our own lives and communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 17Provides context for the fall of Samaria, detailing the reasons for God's judgment against Israel, including their idolatry and disobedience. Isaiah 36-37Describes the Assyrian threat to Judah during Hezekiah's reign and God's deliverance of Jerusalem, contrasting with the fall of Samaria. 2 Chronicles 29-31Chronicles Hezekiah's reforms and his efforts to restore true worship in Judah, highlighting his faithfulness compared to the unfaithfulness of Israel. People Abi, Abijah, Ahaz, Asaph, David, Elah, Eliakim, Hezekiah, Hilkiah, Hoshea, Israelites, Joah, Pharaoh, Rabsaris, Rabshakeh, Sennacherib, Shalmaneser, Shebna, Tartan, Zachariah, ZechariahPlaces Arpad, Assyria, Egypt, Gaza, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Hena, Ivvah, Jerusalem, Lachish, Samaria, Sepharvaim, Washer's FieldTopics Armies, Asshur, Assyria, Besieged, Elah, Fourth, Hezekiah, Hezeki'ah, Hoshea, Hoshe'a, Laid, Layeth, Marched, Pass, Samaria, Sama'ria, Seventh, Shalmaneser, Shalmane'ser, Shutting, SiegeDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 18:9-11 5354 invasions
7233 Israel, northern kingdom 2 Kings 18:9-12 5214 attack
5529 sieges
7212 exile Library Hezekiah, a Pattern of Devout Life
'Hezekiah trusted in the Lord God of Israel.... 6. He clave to the Lord, and departed not from following Him, but kept His commandments.'--2 KINGS xviii. 5,6. Devout people in all ages and stations are very much like each other. The elements of godliness are always the same. This king of Israel, something like two thousand six hundred years ago, and the humblest Christian to-day have the family likeness on their faces. These words, which are an outline sketch of the king's character, are really …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Woman of Samaria
(Twelfth Sunday after Trinity, 1856.) 2 Kings xviii. 9-12. And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came up against Samaria, and besieged it. And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons A Living Book
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Symbol of "Asshur", the principal Assyrian idol.] There is only one Book that never grows old. For thousands of years men have been writing books. Most books are forgotten soon after they are written; a few of the best and wisest are remembered for a time. But all at last grow old; new discoveries are made; new ideas arise; the old books are out of date; their usefulness is at an end. Students are the only people who still care to read them. The nations to which the …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making The Old Testament and Archeology
A century ago the student of the world's history found it exceedingly difficult, if not impossible, to paint for himself a clear picture of events antedating B.C. 400. Concerning earlier periods, he was, aside from the Old Testament, practically without records that could claim contemporaneousness with the events recorded. But, one hundred years ago, men had commenced to test every statement, be it historical, or scientific, or theological, by severe canons of criticism, and if it could not stand …
Frederick Carl Eiselen—The Christian View of the Old Testament Gihon, the Same with the Fountain of Siloam.
I. In 1 Kings 1:33,38, that which is, in the Hebrew, "Bring ye Solomon to Gihon: and they brought him to Gihon"; is rendered by the Chaldee, "Bring ye him to Siloam: and they brought him to Siloam." Where Kimchi thus; "Gihon is Siloam, and it is called by a double name. And David commanded, that they should anoint Solomon at Gihon for a good omen, to wit, that, as the waters of the fountain are everlasting, so might his kingdom be." So also the Jerusalem writers; "They do not anoint the king, but …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica Sargon of Assyria (722-705 B. C. )
SARGON AS A WARRIOR AND AS A BUILDER. The origin of Sargon II.: the revolt of Babylon, Merodach-baladan and Elam--The kingdom of Elam from the time of the first Babylonian empire; the conquest's of Shutruh-nalkunta I.; the princes of Malamir--The first encounter of Assyria and Elam, the battle of Durilu (721 B.C.)--Revolt of Syria, Iaubidi of Hamath and Hannon of Gaza--Bocchoris and the XXIVth Egyptian dynasty; the first encounter of Assyria with Egypt, the battle of Raphia (720 B.C.). Urartu …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 7 General Principles of Interpretation. 1 Since the Bible Addresses Men in Human Language...
CHAPTER XXXIV. GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF INTERPRETATION. 1. Since the Bible addresses men in human language, and according to human modes of thinking and speaking, the interpreter's first work is to ascertain the meaning of the terms employed. Here he must proceed as in the case of other writings, seeking by the aid of grammars, lexicons, cognate languages, ancient versions, ancient interpreters, and whatever other outward helps are available, to gain a thorough knowledge of the language employed by …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Sennacherib (705-681 B. C. )
The struggle of Sennacherib with Judaea and Egypt--Destruction of Babylon. Sennacherib either failed to inherit his father's good fortune, or lacked his ability.* He was not deficient in military genius, nor in the energy necessary to withstand the various enemies who rose against him at widely removed points of his frontier, but he had neither the adaptability of character nor the delicate tact required to manage successfully the heterogeneous elements combined under his sway. * The two principal …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 18:9 NIV2 Kings 18:9 NLT2 Kings 18:9 ESV2 Kings 18:9 NASB2 Kings 18:9 KJV
2 Kings 18:9 Commentaries
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