Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. Then the king of AssyriaThe phrase refers to Shalmaneser V, the Assyrian king during this period. Historically, Assyria was a dominant empire known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. The Assyrian kings were often seen as instruments of God's judgment against Israel due to the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience. The Hebrew root for "king" (מֶלֶךְ, melek) emphasizes authority and rule, reminding us of God's ultimate sovereignty over earthly rulers. invaded the whole land
This phrase indicates a comprehensive military campaign. The Hebrew word for "invaded" (עָלָה, alah) can also mean "to go up" or "ascend," suggesting a forceful and deliberate action. The "whole land" refers to the Northern Kingdom of Israel, which had turned away from God. This invasion was not just a political maneuver but a divine judgment, as prophesied by earlier prophets like Hosea and Amos. marched up to Samaria
Samaria was the capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. The phrase "marched up" (וַיַּעַל, vaya'al) again uses the verb "alah," emphasizing the strategic and determined approach of the Assyrian army. Samaria, established by King Omri, had become a center of idolatry and corruption. Its mention here highlights the culmination of Israel's spiritual decline and the impending fulfillment of God's warnings through His prophets. and besieged it for three years
The siege of Samaria lasted three years, a significant period that underscores the severity of the judgment. The Hebrew word for "besieged" (וַיָּצַר, vayatzar) conveys the idea of encircling or confining, illustrating the hopeless situation of Samaria. The number three often symbolizes completeness or divine purpose in the Bible, suggesting that this siege was a complete and divinely ordained act of judgment. Historically, sieges were brutal, leading to famine and despair, reflecting the spiritual desolation of Israel. Persons / Places / Events 1. King of AssyriaThe ruler of the Assyrian Empire, a dominant power in the ancient Near East, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. 2. SamariaThe capital city of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, established by King Omri. It was a significant political and cultural center. 3. Siege of SamariaA military blockade and assault by the Assyrian forces, lasting three years, which ultimately led to the fall of the Northern Kingdom. Teaching Points God's Sovereignty Over NationsThe fall of Samaria illustrates God's control over historical events. He uses nations like Assyria to accomplish His purposes, even in judgment. Consequences of DisobedienceIsrael's persistent idolatry and rejection of God's commandments led to their downfall. This serves as a warning about the serious consequences of turning away from God. The Importance of RepentanceDespite repeated warnings from prophets, Israel failed to repent. This highlights the necessity of heeding God's call to repentance to avoid judgment. Trust in God's PlanEven in times of national crisis and personal hardship, believers are encouraged to trust in God's overarching plan and His ability to bring about His purposes. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the siege of Samaria reflect God's judgment on Israel, and what lessons can we learn about the consequences of disobedience? 2. In what ways does the fall of Samaria demonstrate God's sovereignty over nations and historical events? 3. How can we apply the lessons of Israel's failure to repent in our own lives and communities today? 4. What other biblical examples illustrate the theme of God using one nation to judge another, and what does this teach us about His justice? 5. How can we maintain trust in God's plan during times of personal or national crisis, drawing from the example of Israel's history? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 18:9-12This passage provides further details on the fall of Samaria and the reasons for Israel's downfall, emphasizing their disobedience to God. Isaiah 10:5-11Assyria is described as the rod of God's anger, used to punish Israel for their sins, highlighting God's sovereignty over nations. Hosea 13:16Hosea prophesies the destruction of Samaria due to Israel's rebellion against God, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment. People Adrammelech, Ahaz, Anammelech, Avites, Avvites, David, Elah, Hoshea, Israelites, Jacob, Jeroboam, Nebat, Pharaoh, Sepharvites, ShalmaneserPlaces Assyria, Avva, Babylon, Bethel, Cuth, Cuthah, Egypt, Gozan, Habor River, Halah, Hamath, Samaria, SepharvaimTopics Asshur, Assyria, Besieged, Entire, Forces, Invaded, Laid, Layeth, Marched, Overran, Samaria, Sama'ria, Shutting, Siege, ThroughoutDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 17:1-6 5366 king 2 Kings 17:3-6 5214 attack
8728 enemies, of Israel and Judah 2 Kings 17:3-7 7216 exile, in Assyria 2 Kings 17:3-18 7560 Samaritans, the 2 Kings 17:3-23 7233 Israel, northern kingdom 2 Kings 17:5-6 5208 armies
5339 home
5354 invasions
5529 sieges
5568 suffering, causes 2 Kings 17:5-8 5607 warfare, examples Library Divided Worship
'These nations feared the Lord, and served their own gods.'--2 KINGS xvii. 33. The kingdom of Israel had come to its fated end. Its king and people had been carried away captives in accordance with the cruel policy of the great Eastern despotisms, which had so much to do with weakening them by their very conquests. The land had lain desolate and uncultivated for many years, savage beasts had increased in the untilled solitudes, even as weeds and nettles grew in the gardens and vineyards of Samaria. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureA Kingdom's Epitaph
'In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. 7. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the Lord their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, 8. And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the Lord cast out from before the children of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture September the Eleventh a Fatal Divorce
"They feared the Lord, and served their own gods." --2 KINGS xvii. 24-34. And that is an old-world record, but it is quite a modern experience. The kinsmen of these ancient people are found in our own time. Men still fear one God and serve another. But something is vitally wrong when men can divorce their fear from their obedience. And the beginning of the wrong is in the fear itself. "Fear," as used in this passage, is a counterfeit coin, which does not ring true to the truth. It means only the …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
Discourse 9 "No man can serve two masters; For either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. "Therefore I say unto you, Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment? Behold the fowls of the air: For they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father …
John Wesley—Sermons on Several Occasions Mongrel Religion
I. I shall first call your attention to THE NATURE OF THIS Mongrel Religion. It had its good and bad points, for it wore a double face. These people were not infidels. Far from it: "they feared the Lord." They did not deny the existence, or the power, or the rights of the great God of Israel, whose name is Jehovah. They had not the pride of Pharaoh who said, "Who is Jehovah that I should obey his voice?" They were not like those whom David calls "fools," who said in their hearts, "There is no God." …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 27: 1881 Building in Troublous Times
'Now when the adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the Lord God of Israel; 2. Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, Let us build with you: for we seek your God, as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto Him since the days of Esar-haddon king of Assur, which brought us up hither. 3. But Zerubbabel, and Joshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye have nothing to do …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Profession and Practice.
18th Sunday after Trinity. S. Matt. xxii. 42. "What think ye of Christ?" INTRODUCTION.--Many men are Christians neither in understanding nor in heart. Some are Christians in heart, and not in understanding. Some in understanding, and not in heart, and some are Christians in both. If I were to go into a Temple of the Hindoos, or into a Synagogue of the Jews, and were to ask, "What think ye of Christ?" the people there would shake their heads and deny that He is God, and reject His teaching. The …
S. Baring-Gould—The Village Pulpit, Volume II. Trinity to Advent The Original Text and Its History.
1. The original language of the Old Testament is Hebrew, with the exception of certain portions of Ezra and Daniel and a single verse of Jeremiah, (Ezra 4:8-6:18; 7:12-26; Dan. 2:4, from the middle of the verse to end of chap. 7; Jer. 10:11,) which are written in the cognate Chaldee language. The Hebrew belongs to a stock of related languages commonly called Shemitic, because spoken mainly by the descendants of Shem. Its main divisions are: (1,) the Arabic, having its original seat in the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Prophet Hosea.
GENERAL PRELIMINARY REMARKS. That the kingdom of Israel was the object of the prophet's ministry is so evident, that upon this point all are, and cannot but be, agreed. But there is a difference of opinion as to whether the prophet was a fellow-countryman of those to whom he preached, or was called by God out of the kingdom of Judah. The latter has been asserted with great confidence by Maurer, among others, in his Observ. in Hos., in the Commentat. Theol. ii. i. p. 293. But the arguments …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion A More Particular view of the Several Branches of the Christian Temper, by which the Reader May be Farther Assisted in Judging what He Is, And
1, 2. The importance of the case engages to a more particular survey what manner of spirit we are of.--3. Accordingly the Christian temper is described, by some general views of it, as a new and divine temper.--4. As resembling that of Christ.--5. And as engaging us to be spiritually minded, and to walk by faith.--6. A plan of the remainder.--7. In which the Christian temper is more particularly considered with regard to the blessed God: as including fear, affection, and obedience.--8, 9. Faith and …
Philip Doddridge—The Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
or, Gospel Light Fetched out of the Temple at Jerusalem, to Let us More Easily into the Glory of New Testament Truths. 'Thou son of man, shew the house to the house of Isreal;--shew them the form of the house, and the fashion thereof, and the goings out hereof, and the comings in thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof.'--Ezekiel 43:10, 11 London: Printed for, and sold by George Larkin, at the Two Swans without Bishopgate, …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 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 17:5 NIV2 Kings 17:5 NLT2 Kings 17:5 ESV2 Kings 17:5 NASB2 Kings 17:5 KJV
2 Kings 17:5 Commentaries
Bible Hub |
