Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Kings 18:9
And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
9 12. Israel finally carried captive by Shalmaneser (Not in Chronicles)
9. Shalmaneser came up against Samaria and besieged it ] Probably the negotiations with So king of Egypt had still gone forward (2Ki 17:4), and the tribute due from Israel to Assyria had continued to be unpaid.
and besieged it ] Shalmaneser commenced the siege, but the city was not taken till the reign of his successor Sargon. (See Schrader Cuneiform Inscriptions, Engl. Trans. 1. p. 266.)
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
These verses repeat the account given in the marginal reference. The extreme importance of the event may account for the double insertion.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 9. In the fourth year] This history has been already given, 2Kg 17:3, &c.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
The seventh year of Hoshea; the seventh of those nine years expressed 2Ki 17:1.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Hezekiah,…. In the beginning of it:
which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel: the beginning of his seventh:
that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it; see 2Ki 17:5.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
In 2Ki 18:9-12 the destruction of the kingdom of the ten tribes by Salmanasar, which has already been related according to the annals of the kingdom of Israel in 2Ki 17:3-6, is related once more according to the annals of the kingdom of Judah, in which this catastrophe is also introduced as an event that was memorable in relation to all the covenant-nation.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
| Sennacherib Invades Judea. | B. C. 726. |
9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it. 10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken. 11 And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes: 12 Because they obeyed not the voice of the LORD their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the LORD commanded, and would not hear them, nor do them. 13 Now in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah did Sennacherib king of Assyria come up against all the fenced cities of Judah, and took them. 14 And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold. 15 And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king’s house. 16 At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the temple of the LORD, and from the pillars which Hezekiah king of Judah had overlaid, and gave it to the king of Assyria.
The kingdom of Assyria had now grown considerable, though we never read of it till the last reign. Such changes there are in the affairs of nations and families: those that have been despicable become formidable, and those, on the contrary, are brought low that have made a great noise and figure. We have here an account,
I. Of the success of Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, against Israel, his besieging Samaria (v. 9), taking it (v. 10), and carrying the people into captivity (v. 11), with the reason why God brought this judgment upon them (v. 12): Because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God. This was related more largely in the foregoing chapter, but it is here repeated, 1. As that which stirred up Hezekiah and his people to purge out idolatry with so much zeal, because they saw the ruin which it brought upon Israel. When their neighbour’s house was on fire, and their own in danger, it was time to cast away the accursed thing. 2. As that which Hezekiah much lamented, but had not strength to prevent. Though the ten tribes had revolted from, and often been vexatious to, the house of David, no longer ago than in his father’s reign, yet being of the seed of Israel he could not be glad at their calamities. 3. As that which laid Hezekiah and his kingdom open to the king of Assyria, and made it much more easy for him to invade the land. It is said of the ten tribes here that they would neither hear God’s commandments nor do them, v. 12. Many will be content to give God the hearing that will give him no more (Ezek. xxxiii. 31), but these, being resolved not to do their duty, did not care to hear of it.
II. Of the attempt of Sennacherib, the succeeding king of Assyria, against Judah, in which he was encouraged by his predecessor’s success against Israel, whose honours he would vie with and whose victories he would push forward. The descent he made upon Judah was a great calamity to that kingdom, by which God would try the faith of Hezekiah and chastise the people, who are called a hypocritical nation (Isa. x. 6), because they did not comply with Hezekiah’s reformation, nor willingly part with their idols, but kept them up in their hearts, and perhaps in their houses, though their high places were removed. Even times of reformation may prove troublesome times, made so by those that oppose it, and then the blame is laid upon the reformers. This calamity will appear great upon Hezekiah if we consider, 1. How much he lost of his country, v. 13. The king of Assyria took all or most of the fenced cities of Judah, the frontier-towns and the garrisons, and then all the rest fell into his hands of course. The confusion which the country was put into by this invasion is described by the prophet, Isa. x. 28-31. 2. How dearly he paid for his peace. He saw Jerusalem itself in danger of falling into the enemies’ hand, as Samaria had done, and was willing to purchase its safety at the expense, (1.) Of a mean submission: “I have offended in denying the usual tribute, and am ready to make satisfaction as shall be demanded,” v. 14. Where was Hezekiah’s courage? Where his confidence in God? Why did he not advise with Isaiah before he sent this crouching message? (2.) Of a vast sum of money-300 talents of silver and thirty of gold (above 200,000l.), not to be paid annually, but as a present ransom. To raise this sum, he was forced not only to empty the public treasures (v. 15), but to take the golden plates off from the doors of the temple, and from the pillars, v. 16. Though the temple sanctified the gold which he had dedicated, yet, the necessity being urgent, he thought he might make as bold with that as his father David (whom he took for his pattern) did with the show-bread, and that it was neither impious nor imprudent to give a part for the preservation of the whole. His father Ahaz had plundered the temple in contempt of it, 2 Chron. xxviii. 24. He had repaid with interest what his father took; and now, with all due reverence, he only begged leave to borrow it again in an exigency and for a greater good, with a resolution to restore it in full as soon as he should be in a capacity to do so.
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary
Second Kings – Chapter 18 AND Second Chronicles – Chapter 32
Sennacherib Comes to Judah –2Ki 18:9-16
The account of the Assyrian menace now shifts over to show its spread to Judah. Hezekiah’s first experience was as an observer of the fall of Samaria, during the fourth year of his reign. It was then that the Assyrian king, Shalmaneser reached Samaria and laid siege to it. By the third year the city had fallen, which would have been the seventh year of Hezekiah’s kingship at Jerusalem. The events of the temple restoration, Passover celebration, and idol eradication in the land would have been past. The account imparts the information that the inhabitants of the northern kingdom were carried away and resettled in the cities of Halah and Habor on the river Gozan. This was in upper Mesopotamia, far from their homeland. Others were settled in cities of Media, still farther away. This happened because the Israelites had disobeyed the Lord, transgressed His covenant, and had refused in every respect the many warnings Moses gave them before his death.
The Scriptures do not reveal why Shalmaneser did not proceed at once into the land of Judah in attempt to subjugate it. That he did not certainly suggests that something occurred which the Lord used to discourage him. It is well to remember that it was at this particular time the people had rededicated themselves to the Lord under their king’s leadership. It is certainly not surprising the Lord would not allow these fierce fighting men to molest a people who had turned so heartily to serve Him again
Seven years more had passed, so that Hezekiah had now reached the fourteenth year of his reign. (It will be well to retain a mental note of the year for comparison with the later event of Hezekiah’s sickness unto death.) What all occurred during those seven intervening years is mostly passed over in silence. For one thing Shalmaneser had passed from the scene, and Assyria had a new king, Sennacherib. Something had also occurred relative to the faith of. king Hezekiah. When Sennacherib came into Judah to complete his conquest of the Israelite kingdoms Hezekiah seems utterly bereft of faith in the Lord. Sennacherib assaulted all the fenced (walled) cities of Judah, and they fell into his hands, with the obvious exception of Jerusalem itself.
There is no indication here whatsoever that Hezekiah sought the help of the Lord. Instead he sent a frightened and apologetic message to Sennacherib while he was camped against the Judaean city .of Lachish several miles southwest of Jerusalem. He admitted he had offended the king of Assyria and offered to take his punishment. Therefore Sennacherib laid on him an indemnity of three hundred talents of silver (over $6 1/2 million dollars today) and thirty talents of gold (over $32,700,000 today). How shameful that Hezekiah had got so far from God he would cower before a pagan king! Yet he did even worse. To acquire the huge treasure he robbed and abused the Lord’s house by taking the tithe and votive monies the people had contributed to the Lord and stripped the gold from the doors and pillars of the temple itself. Some of this Hezekiah had himself restored after his wicked father had abused it. It is not now known what possessed Hezekiah to suffer this woeful lapse of faith. He had forgotten the proverb of Solomon, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Pro 29:25).
2Ch 32:1-8
Hezekiah’s Preparations, 32:1-8
Comparison of the above account with that previously studied makes it apparent that they describe two different occasions. In the Kings account Hezekiah is apologetic, fearful, and faithless when Sennacherib came into Judah. In this Chronicles account it is quite the contrast. He prepares to defend the city and strengthen it. He manifest faith in the Lord, and encourages the people to rely on Him. Although it is not recounted in the Scriptures until later Bible chronologists believe Hezekiah’s sickness “unto death” preceded this second coming of Sennacherib. Remember it is the fourteenth year of his reign over Judah and his sickness also occurred in the same fourteenth year.
The Chronicles record simply says after these things,” obviously referring to the things of restoration and revival which the chronicler had just recorded about Hezekiah and Judah. The situation is much the same as when Sennacherib came the first time, and as a matter of fact, probably, is during the same campaign. The implication, therefore, is that Hezekiah had stripped off the gold of the temple and given it to Sennacherib, then reneged on raising the remainder of the tribute following his illness.
It is commendable of the princes of Judah and the people that they supported the king in his decision to make a stand against the Assyrian invaders. The first preparatory act they took was to stop up the springs and fountains and the brook (evidently Kidron) to deprive the alien army of readily available water. Next they undertook the repair of the wall in the many places where it had fallen down, even raising it to the height of the corner towers. In addition they built a secondary wall outside the main wall to help keep out the enemy. The Milo in the city of David was also repaired. This was a fortress. Captains were set over the men, and Hezekiah armed them with darts and shields.
When all this had been done the king gathered the people in the broad street of the gate and delivered a speech of encouragement. Doubtless his own change and show of faith did much to bolster their courage. He used the old and familiar challenge of the Lord issued to Joshua centuries earlier, “Be strong and courageous, be not afraid nor dismayed” (Jos 1:9). This he coupled with the words of Elisha, when the Syrians surrounded his city, and he comforted his servant, “There be more with us than with him” (2Ki 6:16). True the army of Assyria was much larger and mightier that the few men comprising the force Hezekiah had mustered. But the heavenly host surrounding Dothan, of which Elisha spoke, was the same host which would now be with the men of Judah. The king had at last realized that God would fight their battles, and there was nothing to fear. The people believed and relied on the words of Hezekiah to them. (Cf. Isa 41:10.)
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary
(9-12) The account of the captivity of northern Israel is repeated here, because the editor faithfully reproduces what he found in the abstract of the Judan history of the kings. (Comp. 2Ki. 17:3-6, and the Notes.) We may also see a contrast between the utter overthrow of the stronger kingdom and the deliverance of its smaller and weaker neighbour, because Hezekiah trusted in Jehovah (2Ki. 18:5).
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
FALL OF THE KINGDOM OF ISRAEL, 2Ki 18:9-12.
The fall of the kingdom of Israel was so important and memorable a catastrophe that it was recorded in the annals of Judah as well as in those of Israel; and one object of our historian in introducing a notice of it here, seems to be to contrast it with the greater permanence of Judah under the God-fearing Hezekiah. Judah successfully rebelled against Assyria because her king trusted in Jehovah and kept his law; Israel fell because her people “obeyed not the voice of the Lord their God, but transgressed his covenant, and all that Moses the servant of the Lord commanded.” 2Ki 18:12.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
9. Fourth year seventh year That is, the greater part of the fourth year of Hezekiah fell in the seventh year of Hoshea. See note on 2Ki 18:1.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
A Reminder Of What Had Happened To Hoshea And Samaria, Which Highlights Both Jerusalem’s Own Subsequent Escape, And Hezekiah’s Successful Contrasting Reign ( 2Ki 18:9-12 ).
In preparing for what is to come the prophetic author reminds us of what had happened to Hoshea and Samaria. When they were faced with the might of Assyria Hoshea was executed and Samaria was destroyed. What happened to Hezekiah and Jerusalem was to be very different, because YHWH was with them.
Analysis.
a
b In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken (2Ki 18:10 b).
a And the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria, and put them in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of YHWH their God, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of YHWH commanded, and would not hear it, nor do it (2Ki 18:11-12).
2Ki 18:9
‘And it came about in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.’
This was the fourth year of Hezekiah’s co-regency with Ahaz in about 725/4 BC. It was the seventy year of Hoshea. And at that time Shalmaneser came up against Samaria and besieged it, probably with an army led by the crown prince Sargon. Thus both Shalmaneser and Sargon could be seen a having taken it.
2Ki 18:10
‘And at the end of three years they took it. In the sixth year of Hezekiah, which was the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.’
And at the end of a long siege of around two to three years Samaria was taken.
2Ki 18:11-12
‘And the king of Assyria carried Israel away to Assyria, and put them (caused them to rest, settle) in Halah, and on the Habor, the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, because they did not obey the voice of YHWH their God, but transgressed his covenant, even all that Moses the servant of YHWH commanded, and would not hear it, nor do it.’
And as a result the king of Assyria carried away into exile the cream of the Israelite population gathered in Samaria. These exiles were forced to resettle (after an arduous journey) in different parts of Assyria and Media (compare 2Ki 17:6). This is in deliberate and direct contrast to what will now happen to Jerusalem, which will be gloriously delivered and where the people will be safe from the actually threatened transportation (2Ki 18:32) because of YHWH’s act of deliverance.
And what happened to Samaria was because they did not obey the voice of YHWH their God, but transgressed His covenant, that is, did not hear or do all that Moses His servant commanded. This again is in contrast with the fact that Hezekiah did cleave to YHWH, and did keep His commandments which He had commanded Moses (2Ki 18:6). Thus the basis of Jerusalem’s deliverance is made clear.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
The Assyrian Campaign against Samaria and Jerusalem
v. 9. And it came to pass in the fourth year of King Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea, son of Elah, king of Israel, that Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, came up against Samaria and besieged it.
v. 10. And at the end of three years they took it; even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea, king of Israel, Samaria was taken.
v. 11. And the king of Assyria did carry away Israel unto Assyria, and put them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes, v. 12. because they obeyed not the voice of the Lord, their God, but transgressed His covenant, and all that Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded, and would not hear them nor do them. v. 13. Now, in the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah did Sennacherib, king of Assyria, come up against all the fenced cities of Judah and took them, v. 14. And Hezekiah, King of Judah, sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, v. 15. And Hezekiah gave him all the silver that was found in the house of the Lord and in the treasures of the king’s house.
v. 16. At that time did Hezekiah cut off the gold from the doors of the Temple of the Lord,
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann
2Ki 18:9 And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which [was] the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, [that] Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.
Ver. 9. In the fourth year, &c. ] See on 2Ki 18:1 .
That Shalmaneser, &c.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
it came to pass. Compare 2Ki 17:3-6.
Shalmaneser. Commenced the siege; Sargon, his successor, completed it after three years. Compare 2Ki 17:5, 2Ki 17:6, where we have the same interval as here. In Saigon’s own inscription he refers to the “tributes imposed upon them by the former king”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
am 3281, bc 723
the fourth year: 2Ki 18:1, 2Ki 17:4-6
Shalmaneser: 2Ki 17:3-23, Hos 10:14, Shalman
Reciprocal: 1Ki 16:17 – besieged Tirzah 2Ki 6:24 – gathered 2Ki 17:1 – Hoshea 2Ki 17:5 – the king 2Ki 17:20 – delivered 2Ch 32:4 – kings Ezr 9:7 – into the hand Job 34:29 – whether Isa 8:7 – he shall come Isa 10:9 – Samaria Isa 36:17 – I come Isa 37:4 – for the Jer 3:8 – when for Jer 50:17 – first Eze 23:9 – General Hos 1:4 – will cause Amo 3:11 – General Mic 1:9 – it Mic 5:6 – the Assyrian Zec 1:18 – four