What does 2 Kings 17:3 mean?
"Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents." - 2 Kings 17:3
2 Kings 17:3 (KJV) states: "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
This verse is part of the historical account of the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to the Assyrians. It describes how King Hoshea of Israel became a vassal to the Assyrian king Shalmaneser. This event marked a significant turning point in the history of Israel, leading to the eventual destruction of the northern kingdom and the exile of its people.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its significance. At this time in history, the northern kingdom of Israel had become divided and weakened due to a series of corrupt and idolatrous kings. The prophet Hosea had warned the people of Israel about their sinful ways and the consequences of turning away from God, but they did not heed his warnings. As a result, the kingdom became vulnerable to external threats, including the powerful Assyrian empire.
When Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, invaded Israel, King Hoshea made the fateful decision to submit to the Assyrian king and become his servant. This act of submission was a clear sign of the weakened state of Israel and the loss of its sovereignty. In addition to becoming a vassal, Hoshea also had to pay tribute to the Assyrian king, which further solidified their subjugation.
The themes present in this verse are those of sin, judgment, and the consequences of disobedience. The downfall of Israel was not simply due to external political and military factors; it was ultimately the result of their spiritual decline and abandonment of God's commands. The verse serves as a sobering reminder of the destructive power of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God.
Symbolism can also be found in this verse. The submission of King Hoshea to Shalmaneser can be seen as a symbol of the futility of relying on human strength and alliances instead of trusting in God. It serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of placing one's trust in worldly powers rather than seeking God's guidance and protection.
Overall, 2 Kings 17:3 is a pivotal verse in the biblical narrative, marking the beginning of the end for the northern kingdom of Israel. It serves as a warning about the dangers of sin and the importance of remaining faithful to God. It also underscores the consequences of disobedience and the need for repentance and reliance on God in the face of adversity. The verse ultimately points to the broader biblical theme of the sovereignty and faithfulness of God, even in the midst of human failures and the judgments that follow.
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2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
"Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents." - 2 Kings 17:3
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
2 Kings 3:17 - "For thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not see wind, neither shall ye see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, that ye may drink, both ye, and your cattle, and your beasts."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
1 Kings 17:3 - "Get thee hence, and turn thee eastward, and hide thyself by the brook Cherith, that is before Jordan."
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 3:15
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
2 Kings 3:16-19
2 Kings 3:10 - "And the king of Israel said, Alas! that the LORD hath called these three kings together, to deliver them into the hand of Moab!"
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
1 Kings 3:17 - "And the one woman said, O my lord, I and this woman dwell in one house; and I was delivered of a child with her in the house."
2 Kings 3:23 - "And they said, This is blood: the kings are surely slain, and they have smitten one another: now therefore, Moab, to the spoil."
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
2 Corinthians 3:17 - "Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty."
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."