2 Kings 17:3 Meaning and Explanation
“Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.”
King James Version (KJV)
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Read Full Chapter →The Assyrian king Shalmaneser subdues Hoshea, who submits as a vassal and pays tribute.
What Does 2 Kings 17:3 Mean?
Assyria was the rising imperial power, and Shalmaneser brings its armies against Samaria. Hoshea avoids immediate destruction by becoming a servant, a vassal who acknowledges Assyria's overlordship and pays tribute. The presents are the price of survival, year by year, under a foreign master.
Israel had been called to serve the Lord alone, and now serves a pagan empire instead. When a people will not bow to God, they end by bowing to harder masters. The tribute that buys a little time cannot buy back the freedom that faithfulness once secured. There is no neutral ground; the heart that refuses its true Lord finds another.
Frequently Asked Questions About 2 Kings 17:3
What does 2 Kings 17:3 mean?
The Assyrian king Shalmaneser subdues Hoshea, who submits as a vassal and pays tribute.