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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-6

We have here the reign and ruin of Hoshea, the last of the kings of Israel, concerning whom observe, I. That, though he forced his way to the crown by treason and murder (as we read 2 Kgs. 15:30), yet he gained not the possession of it till seven or eight years after; for it was in the fourth year of Ahaz that he slew Pekah, but did not himself begin to reign till the twelfth year of Ahaz, 2 Kgs. 17:1. Whether by the king of Assyria, or by the king of Judah, or by some of his own people, does... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years. In this account there is some difficulty, since it was in the twentieth of Jotham, that is, the fourth of Ahaz, that Hosea conspired against Pekah king of Israel, and slew him, when it might be reasonably thought he began his reign: now either there was an interregnum until the twelfth of Ahaz, or Hoshea however was not generally received and acknowledged as king till then, as... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:2

And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. He did not worship Baal, as some of them had done; and he could not worship the calves, as all of them had, for they were carried away by the Assyrians in the former captivities, as the Jews F19 Seder Olam Rabba, c. 22. say; and who also observe F20 T. Bab. Gittin, fol. 88. Kimchi in loc. , that he removed the garrisons set on the borders of the land to watch the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:3

Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria ,.... Which some take to be the same with Tiglathpileser, see 1 Chronicles 5:26 but he rather seems to be his son; his name was to be found, as Josephus F23 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 14. sect. 2. relates, in the archives of the Tyrians, against whom he had an expedition; his name is Salmanassar in Metasthenes F24 De Judicio Temp. fol. 221. 2. , who says he reigned seventeen years: and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents ,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:4

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea ,.... That he was forming a scheme to rebel against him, and cast off his yoke; of this he had intelligence by spies he sent, and placed to observe him very probably: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt ; to treat with him, and enter into alliance with him, to help him against, and free him from, the king of Assyria. This king of Egypt is supposed to be Sabacon the Ethiopian, who reigned in Egypt ninety years; of whom... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 17:3

Shalmaneser - This was the son and successor of Tiglath-pileser. He is called Shalman by Hosea, Hosea 10:14 , and Enemessar, in the book of Tobit, 1:2. Gave him presents - Became tributary to him. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 17:4

Found conspiracy to Hoshea - He had endeavored to shake off the Assyrian yoke, by entering into a treaty with So, King of Egypt; and having done so, he ceased to send the annual tribute to Assyria. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1

In the twelfth year of Ahaz King of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria. In 2 Kings 15:30 Hoshea was said to have smitten Pekah and slain him, and become king in his stead, "in the twentieth year of Jotham ." This has been supposed to mean "in the twentieth year from the accession of Jotham," or, in other words, in the fourth year of Ahaz, since Jotham reigned only sixteen years ( 2 Kings 15:33 ). But now the beginning of his reign is placed eight years later. An... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-4

The unwisdom of worldly craft and policy. Hoshea came to the throne at a time of great danger and difficulty. The Assyrian system of gradual expansion and annexation was settled and almost declared. The petty states upon her borders were first invaded and ravaged; then they were taken under her protection; finally they were absorbed. The process had been going on from the days of Tiglath-pileser I., and was still in operation. Damascus was a recent example of it. Under these circumstances,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-5

The reign of Hoshea. I. A FOOLISH SERVICE . The life of every man is a service of some sort. We cannot, even if we would, be absolutely our own masters. Some men are the servants of self. Some are the servants of others. Some are the servants of good. Some are the servants of evil. Some are the servants of money, or of pleasure, or of their passions. What higher epitaph could be written over any man's tomb than the simple words, "A servant of God"? What higher choice could any man make... read more

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