Dictionary Summary:The last king of Israel. He conspired against and slew his predecessor, Pekah ([Isa. 7:16](/isa#Isa.7.16)), but did not ascend the throne till after an interregnum of warfare of eight years ([2 Kings 17:1](/2kgs#2Kgs.17.1), [2](/2kgs#2Kgs.17.2)). Soon after this he submitted to Shalmaneser, the Assyrian king, who a second time invaded the land to punish Hoshea, because of his withholding tribute which he had promised to pay. A second revolt brought back the Assyrian king Sargon, who besieged Samaria, and carried the ten tribes away beyond the Euphrates, B.C. 720 ([2 Kings 17:5](/2kgs#2Kgs.17.5), [6](/2kgs#2Kgs.17.6); 18:9-12). No more is heard of Hoshea. He disappeared like “foam upon the water” ([Hos. 10:7](/hos#Hos.10.7); [13:11](/hos#Hos.13.11)). ²