2 Kings 17:1-5 - Hoshea Reigns In Israel

¹ In the twelfth year of Ahaz, king of Judah, Hoshea, the son of Elah, became king over Israel in Samaria, ruling for nine years. ² He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, though not like the kings of Israel before him.

³ Against him came up Shalmaneser, king of Assyria, and Hoshea became his servant and sent him offerings. ⁴ But Hoshea's broken faith became clear to the king of Assyria because he had sent representatives to So, king of Egypt, and did not send his offering to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: so the king of Assyria had him shut up in prison and put in chains. ⁵ Then the king of Assyria went through all the land and came up to Samaria, shutting it in with his forces for three years.