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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 17:4

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:6

In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria ,..... Which was the last year of his reign, and to be reckoned either from the time of his reigning in full power and authority, or from his first casting off the Assyrian yoke; See Gill on 2 Kings 17:1 . and carried Israel away into Assyria ; not only the inhabitants of Samaria, but all the ten tribes inhabiting the several parts of the kingdom, for which Josephus is express F1 Antiqu. l. 9. c. 10. sect. 1. . and... 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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 17:5

Besieged it three years - It must have been well fortified, well provisioned, and well defended, to have held out so long. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 17:6

Took Samaria - According to the prophets Hosea, Hosea 13:16 , and Micah, Micah 1:6 . He exercised great cruelties on this miserable city, ripping up the women with child, dashing young children against the stones, etc. etc. Carried Israel away into Assyria - What were the places to which the unfortunate Israelites were carried, or where their successors are now situated, have given rise to innumerable conjectures, dissertations, discourses, etc. Some maintain that they are... 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

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