2 Kings 17:4

KJV

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as [he had done] year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} found {H4672} conspiracy {H7195} in Hoshea {H1954}: for he had sent {H7971} messengers {H4397} to So {H5471} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}, and brought {H5927} no present {H4503} to the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804}, as he had done year {H8141} by year {H8141}: therefore the king {H4428} of Assyria {H804} shut him up {H6113}, and bound {H631} him in prison {H1004}{H3608}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But the king of Ashur found that Hoshea was conspiring [against him] - he had sent messengers to So the king of Egypt and not paid his tribute to the king of Ashur, as he had previously done every year. For this the king of Ashur imprisoned him, putting him in chains.

Berean Standard Bible

But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea had conspired to send envoys to King So of Egypt, and that he had not paid tribute to the king of Assyria as in previous years. Therefore the king of Assyria arrested Hoshea and put him in prison.

American Standard Version

And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea; for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and offered no tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Kings 17:4 details the immediate catalyst for the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel, specifically focusing on the actions of its final king, Hoshea. The verse reveals that the king of Assyria discovered Hoshea's treacherous conspiracy, which involved secretly dispatching messengers to King So of Egypt and, crucially, ceasing the annual tribute payments to Assyria. This direct act of rebellion against his suzerain led swiftly to Hoshea's imprisonment, setting the stage for the subsequent siege and ultimate exile of Israel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is a pivotal moment within the broader narrative of 2 Kings, which meticulously chronicles the reigns of the kings of both Israel and Judah, often highlighting their faithfulness or unfaithfulness to God. Immediately preceding this verse, [2 Kings 17:3](/2_kings/17-3 "2 Kings 17:3 - Hoshea Becomes Vassal to Assyria") establishes Hoshea's initial subservience to Shalmaneser V, king of Assyria, and his subsequent failure to pay tribute. Following this verse, the narrative rapidly escalates to the three-year siege of Samaria ([2 Kings 17:5](/2_kings/17-5 "2 Kings 17:5 - Siege of Samaria")) and the devastating fall of the northern kingdom, culminating in the Assyrian exile of Israel ([2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Fall of Samaria and Exile")). Thus, [2 Kings 17:4](/2_kings/17-4 "2 Kings 17:4 - Hoshea's Conspiracy Against Assyria") serves as the direct cause-and-effect link, explaining precisely why Assyria acted so decisively against Israel.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The late 8th century BCE was dominated by the formidable Neo-Assyrian Empire, which had established itself as the preeminent power in the ancient Near East. Smaller kingdoms like Israel were frequently reduced to vassal states, compelled to pay heavy annual tribute and swear loyalty oaths to Assyria to retain a semblance of autonomy. King Hoshea himself had ascended to the throne of Israel with Assyrian backing after assassinating his predecessor, Pekah, as recorded in [2 Kings 15:30](/2_kings/15-30 "2 Kings 15:30 - Hoshea Kills Pekah"). However, the burden of Assyrian tribute was immense, and the temptation to seek alliances with other regional powers, particularly Egypt, was strong. "So king of Egypt" is generally identified by historians as Osorkon IV, a relatively weak pharaoh of the 22nd or 23rd Dynasty, whose rule over a fragmented Egypt made him an unreliable ally against the might of Assyria. Hoshea's attempt to forge such an alliance was a direct violation of his vassal treaty, an act of political treason in Assyrian eyes.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several key themes within [2 Kings](/2_kings/1 "2 Kings - The Reigns of Kings in Israel and Judah") and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Rebellion and Betrayal**. Hoshea's actions, sending messengers to Egypt and withholding the annual "present" (tribute), constituted a clear breach of his vassalage agreement and a direct act of defiance against his suzerain. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Political Miscalculation**. Hoshea's reliance on Egypt proved to be a fatal strategic error, as Egypt was consistently an unreliable and ultimately ineffective ally against the formidable Assyrian military machine. This misguided alliance only provoked Assyria's wrath, leading directly to Hoshea's imprisonment and, subsequently, the fall of Samaria and the Assyrian exile, as detailed in [2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Fall of Samaria and Exile"). Finally, while not explicitly stated in this verse, the broader narrative of [2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - The Fall of Israel") reveals an overarching theme of **Divine Judgment (Implied)**. Israel's persistent idolatry, covenant unfaithfulness, and rejection of God's prophets were the ultimate reasons for their downfall ([2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7 "2 Kings 17:7 - Reasons for Israel's Exile")). Hoshea's political maneuvering was merely the immediate human catalyst through which God allowed His judgment to be executed by Assyria.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Conspiracy (Hebrew, _qesher'_):** This term denotes a secret plot or treacherous alliance, often with political implications of rebellion against a legitimate authority. In this context, it accurately reflects Hoshea's covert attempt to form a counter-alliance with Egypt against Assyria, an act of political treason in the eyes of his suzerain. The discovery of this `qesher` by the Assyrian king was the trigger for his decisive action.
* **Present (Hebrew, _minchah'_):** While `minchah` can mean a general gift or offering, in the context of international relations, it specifically refers to the annual tribute or homage paid by a vassal king to his overlord. It was a formal, obligatory payment that symbolized submission and loyalty. Its cessation was not merely an oversight but a deliberate and unambiguous declaration of rebellion and independence, a direct breach of the vassal treaty.
* **Shut him up (Hebrew, _'atsar'_):** This verb implies to restrain, to hold back, or to imprison. It signifies an immediate and decisive punitive action taken by the Assyrian king against Hoshea. The swiftness of this act underscores the Assyrian Empire's absolute authority and its zero-tolerance policy for insubordination from its vassal states.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea":** This clause indicates that Hoshea's covert actions were not merely suspected but definitively discovered by the Assyrian king. This suggests an effective intelligence network on the part of Assyria, or perhaps a betrayal within Hoshea's own court or by the Egyptians themselves. The discovery of this `qesher` (conspiracy) provided the legal and political justification for Assyria's subsequent actions.
* **"for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt":** This specifies the precise nature of Hoshea's conspiracy. By dispatching envoys to Egypt, a rival power, Hoshea was actively seeking to undermine Assyrian authority and forge an alliance that would allow him to throw off the Assyrian yoke. This was a direct violation of the loyalty expected from a vassal.
* **"and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as [he had done] year by year":** This describes the overt act of rebellion that accompanied the secret conspiracy. The withholding of the annual tribute (`minchah`) was a public declaration of independence and a clear breach of the vassal treaty. It signaled Hoshea's intention to cease his submission to Assyria, confirming the discovery of his underlying plot.
* **"therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison":** This clause states the immediate and direct consequence of Hoshea's actions. The Assyrian king did not hesitate but swiftly apprehended Hoshea, imprisoning him. This personal fate of the king foreshadows the imminent doom of the entire kingdom, as the leader's capture often preceded the subjugation of his people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. The most prominent is **Cause and Effect**, as Hoshea's actions (sending messengers and withholding tribute) are explicitly presented as the direct cause leading to the Assyrian king's discovery of his conspiracy and subsequent imprisonment. This clear causal chain highlights the inevitable consequences of defiance against a dominant power. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Foreshadowing**, as Hoshea's personal imprisonment serves as a grim prelude to the impending doom of the entire northern kingdom of Israel, which will soon fall to Assyria, as detailed in [2 Kings 17:5-6](/2_kings/17-5 "2 Kings 17:5-6 - Siege and Fall of Samaria"). His fate mirrors the national catastrophe. There is also an element of **Irony**, given that Hoshea himself ascended to the throne with Assyrian backing ([2 Kings 15:30](/2_kings/15-30 "2 Kings 15:30 - Hoshea becomes King with Assyrian help")), only to be crushed by the very power that installed him, underscoring the futility of his efforts and the overwhelming might of the Assyrian Empire.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse, while seemingly focused on political maneuvering, carries profound theological weight, connecting Hoshea's strategic failure to a deeper spiritual one. The narrative implicitly critiques Israel's consistent pattern of relying on human alliances and military strength rather than trusting in the Lord, a theme echoed throughout the prophetic books. Hoshea's desperate appeal to Egypt, an unreliable and ultimately impotent power, stands in stark contrast to the divine call for faithfulness and dependence on God alone for security and deliverance. This misplaced trust is depicted as a form of spiritual adultery, abandoning the covenant Lord for foreign gods and foreign powers, ultimately leading to divine judgment expressed through the very empires Israel sought to manipulate.

* [Isaiah 31:1](/isaiah/31-1 "Isaiah 31:1 - Woe to those who go down to Egypt for help")
* [Jeremiah 2:36](/jeremiah/2-36 "Jeremiah 2:36 - Why do you go about so much to change your way?")
* [Hosea 5:13](/hosea/5-13 "Hosea 5:13 - Ephraim goes to Assyria")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Hoshea's ill-fated rebellion serves as a timeless warning about the dangers of misplaced trust and the severe consequences of defying established authority, whether human or divine. For Hoshea, relying on an unreliable foreign power instead of seeking God's guidance and remaining faithful to His covenant led directly to personal calamity and national destruction. For believers today, this narrative underscores the critical importance of discerning where our ultimate trust lies. Are we prone to seeking security in human systems, political alliances, or our own strategic prowess, rather than in the sovereign power and faithfulness of God? This account challenges us to examine our own lives and communities, asking if we are truly living in dependence on the Lord, or if we are, like Hoshea, engaging in "conspiracies" of self-reliance that ultimately lead to bondage. The ultimate tragedy of Hoshea and the northern kingdom vividly illustrates the biblical principle that genuine security, stability, and freedom are found not in shifting geopolitical currents or human strength, but in unwavering obedience and faithfulness to God.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Where might we be tempted to place our trust in unreliable human systems or alliances instead of God's sovereignty?**
* **How does Hoshea's political miscalculation challenge our understanding of consequences for actions, both personal and communal, particularly when they involve breaking trust or defying authority?**
* **In what ways does our pursuit of "freedom" or "autonomy" sometimes lead us away from true reliance on God, mirroring Hoshea's attempt to break free from Assyria?**

### FAQ

**Who was "So king of Egypt"?**

Answer: "So king of Egypt" is generally identified by historians as Osorkon IV, a pharaoh of the 22nd or 23rd Dynasty who ruled a fragmented Egypt. At this time, Egypt was not a unified, powerful empire but rather a collection of smaller kingdoms, and Osorkon IV's influence was limited. He was not a strong enough ally to pose a serious threat to the formidable Neo-Assyrian Empire, making Hoshea's reliance on him a significant strategic blunder.

**Why was Hoshea's act considered "conspiracy" and not just rebellion?**

Answer: Hoshea's actions went beyond mere rebellion. "Conspiracy" (Hebrew: `qesher`) implies a covert, treacherous plot against a suzerain, involving secret communications and the breaking of solemn vassal treaties. While withholding tribute was the overt sign of rebellion, the underlying act of sending messengers to a rival power like [Egypt](/egypt "Egypt - Land of the Pharaohs") was a secret, premeditated attempt to undermine Assyrian authority and form a counter-alliance. This made it a deeper act of political treason in the eyes of his Assyrian overlord.

**What was the ultimate fate of Hoshea and Israel after this verse?**

Answer: As stated in [2 Kings 17:4](/2_kings/17-4 "2 Kings 17:4 - Hoshea's Conspiracy Against Assyria"), Hoshea himself was "shut up, and bound him in prison" by the king of Assyria. Following his imprisonment, the Assyrians besieged Samaria, the capital of the northern kingdom, for three years ([2 Kings 17:5](/2_kings/17-5 "2 Kings 17:5 - Siege of Samaria")). Eventually, Samaria fell, and the Israelites were carried away into exile in Assyria ([2 Kings 17:6](/2_kings/17-6 "2 Kings 17:6 - Fall of Samaria and Exile")), marking the definitive end of the northern kingdom of Israel.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The tragic narrative of Hoshea and the northern kingdom's fall, precipitated by a king's misplaced trust in human alliances and rebellion against his suzerain, powerfully foreshadows the universal human condition and points to the ultimate need for a divine King and a new covenant. Hoshea's desperate attempt to secure freedom from Assyrian bondage through a weak Egyptian alliance only led to greater captivity and destruction, mirroring humanity's futile efforts to find liberation through self-reliance or worldly powers. This broken covenant and the failure of earthly kings underscore the necessity of the perfect, faithful King, Jesus Christ. He is the true suzerain who does not demand tribute but offers grace, and His kingdom is not established through political maneuvering but through self-sacrificial love and a new covenant in His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")). Unlike Hoshea's reliance on a fragile Egypt, Christ is the steadfast "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), the one who truly delivers His people from the bondage of sin and death ([Matthew 1:21](/matthew/1-21 "Matthew 1:21 - Jesus will save his people from their sins")). His reign offers genuine freedom ([John 8:36](/john/8-36 "John 8:36 - If the Son sets you free, you are truly free")) and an everlasting kingdom, fulfilling all the broken promises and failed leadership of the Old Testament kings, and establishing a superior covenant built on better promises ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A superior covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

2 Kings 24:1

¶ In his days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant three years: then he turned and rebelled against him.

2 Kings 18:21

Now, behold, thou trustest upon the staff of this bruised reed, [even] upon Egypt, on which if a man lean, it will go into his hand, and pierce it: so [is] Pharaoh king of Egypt unto all that trust on him.

2 Chronicles 32:11

Doth not Hezekiah persuade you to give over yourselves to die by famine and by thirst, saying, The LORD our God shall deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?

2 Kings 18:14

And Hezekiah king of Judah sent to the king of Assyria to Lachish, saying, I have offended; return from me: that which thou puttest on me will I bear. And the king of Assyria appointed unto Hezekiah king of Judah three hundred talents of silver and thirty talents of gold.

2 Kings 18:15

And Hezekiah gave [him] all the silver that was found in the house of the LORD, and in the treasures of the king's house.

Ezekiel 17:13

And hath taken of the king's seed, and made a covenant with him, and hath taken an oath of him: he hath also taken the mighty of the land:

Ezekiel 17:19

Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD; [As] I live, surely mine oath that he hath despised, and my covenant that he hath broken, even it will I recompense upon his own head.