And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.

2 KINGS 18:9KJV
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2 Kings 18:9 (KJV)

What does 2 Kings 18:9 mean?

2 Kings 18:9 records that in the fourth year of King Hezekiah of Judah, which was also the seventh year of King Hoshea of Israel, the Assyrian king Shalmaneser attacked Samaria and laid siege to it. This verse sets the historical context for the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel to Assyria.

The verse is part of a narrative explaining the timeline and events leading up to Israel’s defeat. The writer is giving readers a precise point in history by linking the reigns of Hezekiah in Judah and Hoshea in Israel. The mention of Shalmaneser and the siege of Samaria marks a turning point, as this event leads to the end of Israel as an independent kingdom.

The Hebrew behind 2 Kings 18:9

  • שַׁלְמַנְאֶסֶר (Shalmaneser): This is the Hebrew form of the Assyrian king’s name. Naming Shalmaneser specifically roots the story in real-world history and connects the biblical account to known Assyrian records.
  • צָר (tzar, "besieged"): This word means to lay siege or surround a city, emphasizing that Samaria was not just attacked but cut off and pressured over time, which was a common military strategy in the ancient Near East.
  • שָׁמְרוֹן (Shomron, "Samaria"): The use of this name highlights that the capital city, not just the kingdom as a whole, was the focus of the Assyrian campaign, underlining the seriousness of the event.

Why 2 Kings 18:9 matters

  • This verse clarifies the overlap between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, showing that both existed at the same time but faced very different fates.
  • By naming specific kings and years, the verse helps readers connect biblical events to broader world history, making the Bible’s timeline more concrete.
  • The siege of Samaria is a major turning point in the Old Testament, leading to the exile of the northern tribes and shaping the rest of Israel’s story.

Where else these words appear

“Shalmaneser” Hebrew H8022 · used in 2 verses

  • 2 Kings 17:3 Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.

“Hoshea” Hebrew H1954 · used in 15 verses

  • Numbers 13:8 Of the tribe of Ephraim, Oshea the son of Nun.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.
  • 2 Kings 18:10 And at the end of three years they took it: even in the sixth year of Hezekiah, that is the ninth year of Hoshea king of Israel, Samaria was taken.

“Elah” Hebrew H425 · used in 15 verses

  • Genesis 36:41 Duke Aholibamah, duke Elah, duke Pinon,
  • 1 Kings 16:6 So Baasha slept with his fathers, and was buried in Tirzah: and Elah his son reigned in his stead.
  • 2 Kings 17:1 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.

“besieged” Hebrew H6696 · used in 38 verses

  • Exodus 23:22 But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak; then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies, and an adversary unto thine adversaries.
  • 1 Kings 15:27 And Baasha the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar, conspired against him; and Baasha smote him at Gibbethon, which belonged to the Philistines; for Nadab and all Israel laid siege to Gibbethon.
  • Esther 8:11 Wherein the king granted the Jews which were in every city to gather themselves together, and to stand for their life, to destroy, to slay, and to cause to perish, all the power of the people and province that would assault them, both little ones and women, and to take the spoil of them for a prey,