Hoshea
- Dates
- 762–722 BC
Name means "Yahweh saves." He is the son of Elah, 20th and last king of Israel northern kingdom. He reigns 9 years and "did evil in the sight of the Lord." He slays Pekah and usurps the throne. He pays tribute to Assyria and is later taken captive.
In detail
Hoshea, name means "Yahweh saves." The 20th (if Tibni is included) and last king of Israel (732—722 b.c.). With the probable connivance of Tiglath—pileser III, king of Assyria, Hoshea slew Pekah and usurped the throne. When Shalmaneser V, Tiglath—pileser's successor, appeared in Palestine, Hoshea paid tribute to Assyria and was confirmed in his office. Later, however, he made an alliance with Egypt and broke away from Assyria, with the result that Shalmaneser marched against Israel and besieged Samaria, taking the city after three years. This probably took place in the last year of Shalmaneser's life, although Sargon II, his successor, claimed to have captured the city. Hoshea was taken captive and incarcerated (2 Ki 15:30 17:1—6).
Bible passages
- 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.
- 2 Kings 15:30
And Hoshea the son of Elah made a conspiracy against Pekah the son of Remaliah, and smote him, and slew him, and reigned in his stead, in the twentieth year of Jotham the son of Uzziah.
Text of the King James Version.