2 Kings 17:1-6

Reign of Hoshea and Destruction of Samaria. Hoshea has been previously mentioned (2 Kings 15:30). According to the inscription of Tiglath-pileser, Hoshea was put on the throne by the Assyrians. Shalmaneser V (pp. 59, 70) reigned from 727 to 722 B.C., and the fall of Samaria was in 722. So, king of Egypt (2 Kings 17:4), has been identified with Sabako, the founder of the 25th Dynasty. Our narrative presents considerable historical difficulties. Shalmaneser is said (2 Kings 17:3) to have attacked Hoshea because he refused tribute, and to have shut him up in prison. Then (2 Kings 17:5) the king came and besieged Samaria for three years, and in the ninth year of Hoshea he took it. But the short reign of Shalmaneser leaves little time for three years'siege and an earlier expedition. The king of Assyria who took Samaria was Sargon (722- 706 B.C.).