27. HOSHEA
HOSHEA
"In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah, Hoshea the son of Elah began to reign in Samaria over Israel, for nine years. And he did evil in the sight of Jehovah, but not as the kings of Israel. before him. Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria, and Hoshea became his servant and tendered him presents. But the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea."
Hoshea, the nineteenth and final king of the northern kingdom, Israel, had conspired against the previous king, Pekah, and had put him to death. Scripture tells us that he reigned in his stead, but gives us two different dates as to when Hoshea began to reign. Apparently he had problems consolidating his hold upon the now rapidly sinking kingdom, or perhaps he had to have his credentials to rule approved by the powerful Assyrians. At any rate, his rule was only that of a vassal to the Assyrian king.
It is interesting to see the Lord noting that while Hoshea did evil in His sight, it was not as the kings of Israel that had been before him. The Judge of all the earth ever does right. He knows the heart and weighs with the balances of the sanctuary. His Assyrian overlord now imprisoned him and overran the land with his armies, besieging Samaria for three years till it fell. He had found treachery in Hoshea, for Hoshea, instead of paying his normal tribute, had sent envoys to the king of Egypt, to enlist his help. Our Lord Jesus plainly declares that no man can serve two masters - an important lesson for us to learn, too.
Hoshea (deliverance) proved anything but that to his people. One alone will bring deliverance to the ten tribes. Israel was taken captive into Assyria and resettled in various places. The ten tribes have never returned from their captivity, nor will they do so till the Lord Himself brings them back in a day to come.