Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea
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Historical Context

Assyria was a dominant Mesopotamian empire known for its military prowess and expansionist policies. During the 8th century BC, Assyria reached the height of its power, exerting influence over much of the Near East. The Assyrian kings were known for their campaigns against neighboring nations, including the Kingdom of Israel.

Shalmaneser V

Shalmaneser V reigned as king of Assyria from 727 to 722 BC. He was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III, a king noted for his administrative reforms and military conquests. Shalmaneser continued his father's policies, focusing on maintaining Assyrian dominance over vassal states, including Israel.

Hoshea, King of Israel

Hoshea was the last king of the northern Kingdom of Israel, reigning from approximately 732 to 722 BC. His reign was marked by political instability and shifting allegiances. Initially, Hoshea was a vassal to Assyria, paying tribute to maintain his throne.

Rebellion and Imprisonment

The biblical account of Hoshea's rebellion against Assyria is recorded in 2 Kings 17:3-6. Hoshea ceased paying tribute to Shalmaneser and sought an alliance with Egypt, hoping to free Israel from Assyrian control. This act of defiance prompted Shalmaneser to take military action against Israel.

The Berean Standard Bible states: "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, sending envoys to So king of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore, the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison" (2 Kings 17:3-4).

The Fall of Samaria

Following Hoshea's imprisonment, Shalmaneser laid siege to Samaria, the capital of Israel. The siege lasted for three years, culminating in the city's capture in 722 BC. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom, as the Assyrians deported many Israelites and resettled the land with foreign populations.

The Berean Standard Bible records: "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 cities of the Medes" (2 Kings 17:6).

Theological Significance

The fall of Samaria and the exile of the Israelites were seen as divine judgment for the nation's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God's covenant. The biblical narrative emphasizes that Israel's downfall was a consequence of turning away from the LORD and embracing the practices of surrounding nations.

The Berean Standard Bible highlights this theme: "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).

Legacy

Shalmaneser's actions against Israel had lasting implications for the history of the region. The Assyrian policy of deportation and resettlement contributed to the cultural and religious syncretism that characterized the area in subsequent centuries. The fall of the northern kingdom served as a somber reminder of the consequences of forsaking the covenant with God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 17:4
And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Resources
Who was King Hoshea in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Nineveh destroyed? | GotQuestions.org

What is British Israelism and is it biblical? | GotQuestions.org

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Subtopics

Assyria

Assyria: Alliances With, Sought by Judah and Israel

Assyria: An Empire Founded by Nimrod

Assyria: Antiquity and Origin of

Assyria: Armies of, Described

Assyria: Army of, Destroyed by the Angel of the Lord

Assyria: As a Power, Was: An Instrument of God's Vengeance

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Cruel and Destructive

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Intolerant and Oppressive

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Most Formidable

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Proud and Haughty

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Selfish and Reserved

Assyria: As a Power, Was: Unfaithful

Assyria: Called: Asshur

Assyria: Called: Shinar

Assyria: Called: The Land of Nimrod

Assyria: Celebrated For: Extensive Commerce

Assyria: Celebrated For: Extent of Conquests

Assyria: Celebrated For: Fertility

Assyria: Chief Men of, Described

Assyria: Commerce of

Assyria: Condemned for Oppressing God's People

Assyria: Governed by Kings

Assyria: Idolatry of, Brought Into Samaria

Assyria: Idolatry, the Religion of

Assyria: Invaded by Pharaoh-Necho

Assyria: Israel Condemned for Trusting To

Assyria: Israelites Carried Captive Into

Assyria: Israelites Subject To

Assyria: It Extended from East of the Tigris

Assyria: Its Armies Invade the Land of Israel Under Pul

Assyria: Jews Carried Captive To

Assyria: Judah Condemned for Trusting To

Assyria: Manasseh Taken Captive To

Assyria: Nineveh, Chief City of

Assyria: Possibly to Egypt

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest and Captivity of Israel By

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of Syria By

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Conquest of the Kenites By

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Destruction of

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Invasion of Judah By

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Participation in the Blessings of the Gospel

Assyria: Predictions Respecting: Restoration of Israel From

Assyria: Productiveness of

Assyria: Prophecies Concerning

Assyria: Prophecies of Captivity of Israelites In

Assyria: Pul King of Brought off by Menahem

Assyria: Pul King of Invaded Israel

Assyria: Sennacherib

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Assassinated by his Sons

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Blasphemed the Lord

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Bought off by Hezekiah

Assyria: Sennacherib King of His Army Destroyed by God

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Insulted and Threatened Judah

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Invaded Judah

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Prayed Against by Hezekiah

Assyria: Sennacherib King of Reproved for Pride and Blasphemy

Assyria: Shalmaneser

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Imprisoned Hoshea

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Reduced Israel to Tribute

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Re-Peopled Samaria from Assyria

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Was Conspired Against by Hoshea

Assyria: Situated Beyond the Euphrates

Assyria: The Greatness, Extent, Duration, and Fall, Illustrated

Assyria: The Jews Condemned for Following the Idolatries of

Assyria: The Re-Peopling of Samaria From, Completed by Asnappar

Assyria: Tiglath

Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Asked to Aid Ahaz Against Syria

Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Conquered Syria

Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Ravaged Israel

Assyria: Tiglathpileser King of Took Money from Ahaz, But Strengthened Him Not

Assyria: Watered by the River Tigris

Related Terms

Assyria's (1 Occurrence)

Tiglath-pileser (6 Occurrences)

Tiglathpileser (3 Occurrences)

Rab'shakeh (14 Occurrences)

Rab-shakeh (14 Occurrences)

Sennach'erib (13 Occurrences)

Assyrian (18 Occurrences)

Deported (12 Occurrences)

Ashurbanipal (1 Occurrence)

Rabshakeh (15 Occurrences)

Nimrod (4 Occurrences)

Gozan (5 Occurrences)

Halah (4 Occurrences)

Asshur (133 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Shalmaneser (3 Occurrences)

Chaldeans (82 Occurrences)

Assur (2 Occurrences)

Exile (101 Occurrences)

Menahem (8 Occurrences)

Habor (3 Occurrences)

Sherghat

Esarhaddon (3 Occurrences)

Assyrians (15 Occurrences)

Medes (15 Occurrences)

Chaldea (8 Occurrences)

Pekah (11 Occurrences)

Jareb (2 Occurrences)

Immanuel (3 Occurrences)

Tig'lath-pile'ser (3 Occurrences)

Tillegath-pilneser (3 Occurrences)

Tilgathpilneser (3 Occurrences)

Tilgath (3 Occurrences)

Tilgath-pilneser (3 Occurrences)

Tiglath (3 Occurrences)

Til'gath-pilne'ser (3 Occurrences)

Trustest (8 Occurrences)

Tartan (2 Occurrences)

Rehoboth-ir (1 Occurrence)

Rab-saris (3 Occurrences)

Rabsaris (3 Occurrences)

Exacted (9 Occurrences)

Pileser (3 Occurrences)

Pul (3 Occurrences)

Pilneser (3 Occurrences)

Sargon (1 Occurrence)

Withdrew (55 Occurrences)

Rely (31 Occurrences)

Placing (44 Occurrences)

Marched (51 Occurrences)

Lachish (22 Occurrences)

Persuade (20 Occurrences)

Nebo (13 Occurrences)

Janoah (3 Occurrences)

Lud (10 Occurrences)

Ludim (3 Occurrences)

Ijon (3 Occurrences)

Invaded (20 Occurrences)

Reubenite (16 Occurrences)

Rezin (11 Occurrences)

Rehobothir

Envoys (16 Occurrences)

Men'ahem (8 Occurrences)

Besieged (34 Occurrences)

Bargain (7 Occurrences)

Basing (7 Occurrences)

Conspiracy (17 Occurrences)

Astoreth

Acco (2 Occurrences)

Abel-beth-maacah (2 Occurrences)

Asherah (40 Occurrences)

Astarte (2 Occurrences)

Ashtoreth (3 Occurrences)

Sharezer (5 Occurrences)

Shalman (1 Occurrence)

Judith (1 Occurrence)

Carchemish (3 Occurrences)

Prisoners (170 Occurrences)

Assyria: Shalmaneser King of Carried Israel Captive
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