Shalmaneser
Summary
The Assyrian king who besieged Samaria and brought about the fall of the northern kingdom of Israel in 722 BC, deporting its inhabitants to Assyria.
☩Historical Context
Shalmaneser was the fourth Assyrian monarch bearing this name, succeeding Tiglath-pileser around 727 BC. Very little is known of him directly since his successor Sargon, who was from a different family and likely a rebel, appears to have destroyed his monuments. He was contemporary with So (or Shabaka) of Egypt, with whom Israel's final king attempted to form an alliance.
☩Campaign Against Israel
Shortly after ascending the throne, Shalmaneser invaded Palestine where Hoshea, the last king of Israel, had revolted against Assyrian authority. Hoshea quickly submitted, became the great king's 'servant,' and agreed to pay annual tribute. However, Shalmaneser soon discovered conspiracy in Hoshea, who had formed an alliance with Egypt and withheld tribute. In 723 BC, Shalmaneser invaded Palestine a second time, and when Hoshea refused to submit, laid siege to Samaria.
☩Fall of Samaria
The siege lasted three years until 722/721 BC, when Samaria fell. The king of Assyria took Hoshea prisoner and deported the bulk of the Israelites to Upper Mesopotamia. Scripture carefully avoids stating that Shalmaneser personally captured the city—2 Kings 17:6 says simply 'the king of Assyria took it,' and 2 Kings 18:10 notes 'they took it.' This is significant because Sargon claims the capture as his own exploit in his first regnal year. Shalmaneser likely died during the siege or was overthrown by Sargon before Samaria fell.
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Shalmaneser," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. IX (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.F. N. Peloubet & M. A. Peloubet (ed.), "Shalmaneser," in Smith's Bible Dictionary (Porter & Coates, 1884).
- 3.George Morrish, "Shalmaneser," in Morrish's Concise Bible Dictionary (George Morrish, 1898).