Hoshea son of Elah was the last king of the northern kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 732 to 722 BC. His reign is documented in the biblical books of 2 Kings and 1 Chronicles. Hoshea's rule marked the final chapter in the history of the northern kingdom before its conquest by the Assyrian Empire.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Hoshea came to power after assassinating Pekah, the previous king of Israel. This act of regicide is 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." His rise to power was marked by political instability and a backdrop of Assyrian dominance in the region.

Reign and Political Maneuvering

Hoshea's reign was characterized by attempts to navigate the complex political landscape dominated by the Assyrian Empire. Initially, he became a vassal to Shalmaneser V, the king of Assyria, and paid tribute to maintain a semblance of autonomy. However, Hoshea's loyalty to Assyria was short-lived. In 2 Kings 17:3-4, it is recorded: "Shalmaneser king of Assyria attacked him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute. 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."

Hoshea's attempt to ally with Egypt against Assyria was a strategic miscalculation. This rebellion prompted Shalmaneser to respond with military force, leading to the siege of Samaria, the capital of Israel.

Fall of Samaria and the End of the Northern Kingdom

The siege of Samaria lasted for three years, culminating in the city's capture in 722 BC. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17:5-6 states: "Then the king of Assyria invaded the whole land, marched up to Samaria, and besieged it for three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea, the king of Assyria captured Samaria and deported the Israelites to Assyria." This event marked the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, as the Assyrians deported the Israelites and resettled the land with people from other conquered territories.

Religious and Moral Context

The fall of Israel under Hoshea's reign is attributed to the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God. 2 Kings 17:7-18 provides a theological explanation for the kingdom's demise, emphasizing that the Israelites had sinned against the LORD by worshiping other gods and rejecting His statutes. This passage underscores the biblical theme of covenant faithfulness and the consequences of turning away from God.

Legacy

Hoshea's legacy is one of political failure and spiritual apostasy. As the last king of Israel, his reign represents the culmination of a long history of unfaithfulness to God, leading to the nation's downfall. The Assyrian conquest and the subsequent exile of the Israelites serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of covenant loyalty and the dangers of political alliances that compromise faithfulness to God.