2 Kings 17

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 17

This chapter gives us an account of the captivity of the ten tribes, and so finishes the history of that kingdom, after it had continued about 265 years, from the setting up of Jeroboam the son of Nebat. In it we have, I. A short narrative of this destruction, 2 Kgs. 17:1-6. II. Remarks upon it, and the causes of it, for the justifying of God in it and for warning to others, 2 Kgs. 17:7-23. III. An account of the nations which succeeded them in the possession of their land, and the mongrel... read more

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 17:7-23

Though the destruction of the kingdom of the ten tribes was but briefly related, it is in these verses largely commented upon by our historian, and the reasons of it assigned, not taken from the second causes?the weakness of Israel, their impolitic management, and the strength and growing greatness of the Assyrian monarch (these things are overlooked)--but only from the First Cause. Observe, 1. It was the Lord that removed Israel out of his sight; whoever were the instruments, he was the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 17:24-41

Never was land lost, we say, for want of an heir. When the children of Israel were dispossessed, and turned out of Canaan, the king of Assyria soon transplanted thither the supernumeraries of his own country, such as it could well spare, who should be servants to him and masters to the Israelites that remained; and here we have an account of these new inhabitants, whose story is related here that we may take our leave of Samaria, as also of the Israelites that were carried captive into... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 17 This chapter relates the captivity of the ten tribes of Israel, and how it came about, 2 Kings 17:1 , the cause of it, their idolatry, which they persisted in, notwithstanding the remonstrances made against it, 2 Kings 17:7 , in whose stead were placed people from different parts, who exercised a mixed religion, partly Heathenish, and partly Israelitish, 2 Kings 17:24 . 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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:5

Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land ,.... Of Israel, there being none to oppose his march; Hoshea not daring to come out, and meet him and fight him: and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years ; so long the city held out against him, see 2 Kings 18:9 . read more

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