Historical Context:
Assyria, a dominant Mesopotamian empire, played a significant role in the history of Israel and Judah during the 8th century BC. The Assyrian Empire, known for its military prowess and expansionist policies, exerted considerable influence over the ancient Near East. One of the pivotal interactions between Assyria and Israel involved King Shalmaneser V, who reigned from 727 to 722 BC.

Shalmaneser V:
Shalmaneser V was the son of Tiglath-Pileser III, a powerful Assyrian king who had already established Assyrian dominance over the region. Upon ascending the throne, Shalmaneser continued his father's policies of expansion and control. His reign is notably marked by his interactions with the northern kingdom of Israel.

Israel's Subjugation:
During the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, Shalmaneser V imposed Assyrian dominance over Israel. The biblical account in 2 Kings 17:3 states, "Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up to attack him, and Hoshea became his vassal and paid him tribute." This tribute was a form of subjugation, indicating Israel's reduced status and loss of independence. Hoshea's decision to become a vassal was likely a strategic move to maintain some level of autonomy while acknowledging Assyrian supremacy.

Rebellion and Consequences:
Despite initially submitting to Assyrian rule, Hoshea later sought to rebel against Shalmaneser by seeking an alliance with Egypt, as noted in 2 Kings 17:4 : "But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired, sending envoys to So king of Egypt, and he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore, the king of Assyria arrested him and put him in prison." This rebellion led to severe consequences for Israel.

The Fall of Samaria:
Shalmaneser V responded to Hoshea's rebellion by besieging Samaria, the capital of Israel. The siege lasted for three years, culminating in the fall of Samaria in 722 BC. Although Shalmaneser V initiated the siege, it was completed under his successor, Sargon II. The fall of Samaria marked the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, as many Israelites were deported to Assyria, fulfilling the prophetic warnings of judgment due to Israel's persistent idolatry and disobedience to God.

Theological Implications:
The subjugation of Israel by Shalmaneser V and the subsequent fall of Samaria are seen as acts of divine judgment. The biblical narrative emphasizes that Israel's unfaithfulness to the covenant with Yahweh led to their downfall. The prophets had repeatedly warned Israel of the consequences of their idolatry and injustice, and the Assyrian conquest served as a fulfillment of these warnings. This event underscores the biblical theme of God's sovereignty over nations and His use of foreign powers to accomplish His purposes.

Legacy:
The Assyrian conquest and the deportation of the Israelites had lasting effects on the history and identity of the Jewish people. The ten tribes of the northern kingdom were scattered, leading to the concept of the "Lost Tribes of Israel." This dispersion contributed to the complex history of the Jewish diaspora and the eventual focus on the southern kingdom of Judah, which remained until its own exile by Babylon over a century later.2 Kings 17:3
Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Babylonia and Assyria
... was surrendered to him by its king Mariha, who ... out, and when his successor, Shalmaneser
III., mounted ... eastern and northern possessions of Assyria were taken ...
/.../early israel and the surrounding nations/chapter vi babylonia and assyria.htm

Nineveh.
... which took the name of Assyria, from Assur ... Sargon seems to have dethroned Shalmaneser
about this time, and ... sent messengers to compliment the king, whose favour ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson ix nineveh.htm

Sargon of Assyria (722-705 BC )
... his son Busas I. had left Shalmaneser V. unmolested ... in all, were carried away captives
to Assyria, and his ... reduced to ashes, and its king, Belsharuzur, together ...
/.../chapter iiisargon of assyria 722-705.htm

The Power of Assyria at Its Zenith; Esarhaddon and Assur-Bani-Pal
... account of the thirty-first campaign of Shalmaneser III ... to him as wounded prisoners;
the king, on his ... and had solicited help from the Pharaohs against Assyria. ...
/.../chapter iithe power of assyria 2.htm

The Assyrian Revival and the Struggle for Syria
... his example, and the dominion of Assyria was carried ... name as [Ashtama]kou, mentioned
by Shalmaneser III ... Having achieved this noble exploit, the king crossed the ...
/.../chapter ithe assyrian revival and.htm

Sennacherib (705-681 BC )
... who flung himself at the feet of Shalmaneser III., in ... own fingers had made."** The
new king, obedient to ... the Tophet Jahveh's anger is preparing for Assyria. ...
/.../chapter isennacherib 705-681 b c.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... to pay him homage on his return: even the King of Illipi ... Assyria, on the other hand,
had reached a. point where ... campaigns of Assur-nazir-pal and Shalmaneser III ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

Syria at the Beginning of the Egyptian Conquest
... the lower Zab, in the mountains on the east of Assyria. ... of our own days have thinned
and reduced to a ... of the Hittite domination, during which the King of the ...
/.../chapter iisyria at the beginning.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... III., and of the Kundashpi mentioned in the Annals of Shalmaneser III ... time to prove
the existence of a last king of Assyria named Esarhaddon ... Another king, Sin-sum ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm

The Hebrews and the Philistines --Damascus
... Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 6. ... disaster they had formerly
inflicted on Israel, is supposed ... when the Jews, without any king or settled ...
/.../chapter iiithe hebrews and the.htm

What is the significance of Assyria in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

When and how was Israel conquered by the Assyrians? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Sennacherib in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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