shalmaneser Summary and Overview

(fire-worshipper) was the Assyrian king who reigned probably between Tiglath-Pileser and Sargon, B.C. 727-722. He led the forces of Assyria into Israel, where Hoshea, the last king of Israel, had revolted against his authority. #2Ki 17:3| Hoshea submitted and consented to pay tribute; but he soon after concluded all alliance with the king of Egypt, and withheld his tribute in consequence. In B.C. 723 Shalmaneser invaded Israel for the second time, and, as Hoshea refused to submit, laid siege to Samaria. The siege lasted to the third year, B.C. 721, when the Assyrian arms prevailed. #2Ki 17:4-6; 18:9-11| It is uncertain whether Shalmaneser conducted the siege to its close, or whether he did not lose his crown to Sargon before the city was taken.

SHALMANE'SER (Salman is gracious), a king of Assyria whose reign lasted from b.c. 727-722, coming between those of Tiglath-pileser and Sargon. He comes into biblical notice as the invader of Israel. The king, Hoshea, had revolted, but he conquered and exacted a tribute. 2 Kgs 17:3. He then returned home, but, as Hoshea revolted a second time and allied himself with So, king of Egypt, Shalmaneser returned, ravaged Samaria, besieged Hoshea in his capital, and after three years the city fell. But during this time a rebellion headed by Sargon had broken out in Assyria, and Shalmaneser was deposed. It is not stated in 2 Kgs 17:6 that Shalmaneser took Samaria, but that the king of Assyria did. See Sargon.