What does 2 Kings 17:4 mean?
"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." - 2 Kings 17:4
The verse 2 Kings 17:4 in the King James Version reads: "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."
This verse is part of the larger narrative of the downfall of the northern kingdom of Israel. The book of 2 Kings is a historical account of the kings of Israel and Judah, and their successes and failures. In this particular verse, we see the king of Assyria, who was a powerful and dominant force in the region at the time, finding a conspiracy in Hoshea, the king of Israel. The reason for this conspiracy is that Hoshea had sent messengers to the king of Egypt and had not brought the usual annual tribute to the king of Assyria. As a result, the king of Assyria shut him up and bound him in prison.
This verse is significant in several ways. It demonstrates the political maneuvering and power struggles that were common in the ancient Near East. The kings of Israel and Judah were often caught between the dominant powers of the region, such as Assyria and Egypt, and had to navigate delicate diplomatic situations to ensure the safety and security of their kingdoms. In this case, Hoshea's decision to seek aid from Egypt and withhold tribute from Assyria led to his downfall and the eventual destruction of the northern kingdom of Israel.
The verse also serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and lack of faithfulness to God. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly warned about the dangers of aligning themselves with foreign powers and failing to trust in God for their protection and provision. Hoshea's actions in seeking aid from Egypt and withholding tribute from Assyria are seen as a betrayal of trust in God's faithfulness, and the consequences are severe.
From a symbolic perspective, this verse can be interpreted as a cautionary tale about the dangers of placing our trust in earthly powers and resources rather than in God. The Israelites' reliance on foreign alliances and military strength ultimately proved to be their downfall, and serves as a reminder that true security and provision come from God alone. This theme is echoed throughout the Bible, where the importance of faithfulness and trust in God is a central message.
In summary, 2 Kings 17:4 is a significant verse that highlights the political and diplomatic challenges faced by the kings of Israel and Judah, and serves as a warning about the consequences of disobedience and lack of faithfulness to God. It also carries a symbolic message about the importance of trusting in God rather than earthly powers. This verse is part of the larger narrative of the rise and fall of the Israelite kingdoms, and provides valuable lessons for readers about the dangers of placing our trust in anything other than God.
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2 Kings 17:4 - "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."
"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." - 2 Kings 17:4
2 Kings 4:17 - "And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life."
1 Kings 4:17 - "Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:"
2 Kings 17:2 - "And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him."
2 Kings 19:17 - "Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands,"
2 Kings 4:4-5
"Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, in Issachar:" - 1 Kings 4:17
1 Kings 17:4 - "And it shall be, that thou shalt drink of the brook; and I have commanded the ravens to feed thee there."
1 Kings 17:2 - "And the word of the LORD came unto him, saying,"
"And the woman conceived, and bare a son at that season that Elisha had said unto her, according to the time of life." - 2 Kings 4:17
2 Corinthians 4:17
2 Kings 17:40 - "Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner."
2 Kings 17:8 - "And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made."
2 Kings 21:17 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and all that he did, and his sin that he sinned, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
2 Kings 17:17 - "And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire, and used divination and enchantments, and sold themselves to do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger."
"And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him." - 2 Kings 17:2
"Of a truth, LORD, the kings of Assyria have destroyed the nations and their lands," - 2 Kings 19:17
2 Kings 17:19 - "Also Judah kept not the commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made."
2 Kings 10:4 - "But they were exceedingly afraid, and said, Behold, two kings stood not before him: how then shall we stand?"
2 Kings 17:5 - "¶ Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years."
2 Kings 24:17 - "¶ And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah his father's brother king in his stead, and changed his name to Zedekiah."
2 Samuel 17:4 - "And the saying pleased Absalom well, and all the elders of Israel."
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Kings 17:12 - "For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing."
2 Kings 17:14 - "Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God."
2 Kings 11:17 - "¶ And Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they should be the LORD'S people; between the king also and the people."
2 Kings 17:3 - "Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents."
2 Kings 17:10 - "And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree:"
2 Kings 14:17 - "¶ And Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah lived after the death of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel fifteen years."