2 Kings 17:1

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

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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-6

REIGN OF HOSHEA . Hoshea, the last King of Israel, had a short reign of nine years only, during two of which he was besieged in his capital by the Assyrians. The writer notes that he was a bad king, but not so bad as most of his predecessors ( 2 Kings 17:2 ); that he submitted to Shalmaneser, and then rebelled against him ( 2 Kings 17:3 , 2 Kings 17:4 ); that he called in the aid of So, King of Egypt ( 2 Kings 17:4 ); that he was besieged by Shalmaneser in Samaria ( 2 Kings 17:5... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-6

The end of the kingdom of Israel We learn from the inscriptions that Hoshea, the murderer of Pekah, only secured his throne by acknowledging the supremacy of the King of Assyria. It was not long, however, before he conspired to achieve his independence. This led to the final overthrow of the kingdom. I. A LAST FLICKER . 1. Hoshea ' s better character . It is said of this last King of Israel that he did evil in the sight of the Lord, "but not as the kings of Israel that were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-8

Aspects of a corrupt nation. "In the twelfth year of Ahaz King of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years," etc. Hoshea, the king here mentioned, was the nineteenth and last King of Israel. He lived about seven hundred and twenty years or more before Christ. After a reign of nine years his subjects were carried away captive to Assyria, and the kingdom of Israel came to an end. The selection we have made from this chapter presents to us —Aspects of a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 17:1-41

THE REIGN OF HOSHEA OVER ISRAEL . DESTRUCTION OF THE ISRAELITE KINGDOM , AND THE GROUNDS OF IT RE - PEOPLING OF THE KINGDOM BY ASSYRIAN COLONISTS . read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 17:1

In the twelfth year - Compare 2 Kings 15:30 note. The history of the kingdom of Israel is in this chapter brought to a close. read more

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