In the twelfth year of Ahaz, king of Judah, Hoshea son of Elah ascended the throne of Israel in Samaria and reigned for nine turbulent years. His rise to power was marked by a conspiracy against Pekah son of Remaliah, whom he struck down and replaced. Although Hoshea did evil in the eyes of the LORD, his sins were not as egregious as those of his predecessors. Nonetheless, his reign marked the final chapter in the history of the northern kingdom of Israel, leading to its ultimate demise and exile.
The Siege and Fall of Samaria
Hoshea’s reign was fraught with political instability. Initially, he became a vassal to Shalmaneser, the king of Assyria, and paid tribute. However, Hoshea’s allegiance wavered as he sought an alliance with So, king of Egypt, and ceased his tribute to Assyria. Shalmaneser, discovering this betrayal, seized Hoshea and imprisoned him, setting the stage for a severe Assyrian response.
Shalmaneser launched an invasion against Israel, laying siege to Samaria. This siege lasted three gruelling years, culminating in the ninth year of Hoshea’s reign when the Assyrians captured Samaria. The consequences were devastating: the Israelites were deported to Assyria and resettled in Halah, Gozan on the Habor River and the towns of the Medes. This event marked the end of the northern kingdom and the beginning of the Israelite diaspora.
The exile of Israel was not merely a result of political rebellion but was due to their abandonment of the ways of the LORD. The Israelites had sinned against the LORD, who had delivered them from the rulers of Egypt. They adopted the idolatrous practices of the nations the LORD had driven out before them. High places, sacred stones, and Asherah poles were established throughout the land, and the Israelites engaged in practices that provoked the LORD’s anger, including the worship of idols, burning incense at high places, and committing acts of divination and human sacrifice.
The Spiritual Decline of Israel
The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city they built themselves high places in all their towns. – 2 Kings 17:9 (NIV)
Ever since their days of wandering in the desert, the Israelites felt compelled to create their own gods, constantly straying from Yahweh. Historically, practices like divination, as seen with Joseph in Egypt, and idol worship, such as Rachel stealing idols and Aaron crafting the golden calf, set a precedent. When leadership was absent, as during Moses’ absence, the Israelites quickly reverted to worshipping idols they had created, like the golden calf, which they credited with their miraculous exodus from Egypt. Culturally, the influence of foreign wives and local populations further led many Israelite kings and people to adopt and worship foreign gods, even when they outwardly acknowledged Yahweh. This dual worship created a facade of righteousness while they secretly revered other deities.
Additionally, creating their own gods gave the Israelites a sense of control and convenience. They could establish their own religious practices and rules, pursuing their desires without fear of divine consequences since their gods were not real. This need for control and autonomy in their spiritual lives is akin to someone starting their own company to escape the vision of a CEO they disagree with. By creating and worshipping multiple gods, the Israelites could chase after their desires and follow a path that suited them, making their own rules and avoiding the constraints of giving their allegiance to the one true God.
Like the Israelites, we too have fallen prey to the gods of this world. While we may not bow before idols, poles, or altars, our religious and denominational affiliations often offer us the convenience of an organized path. We follow this path alongside our fellow believers, yet in doing so, we gradually stray from the path that God intended for us. It is easier to adhere to the traditions and customs of our religion or denomination than to genuinely listen to the voice of God. In this way, we have collectively abandoned our walk with God, much like the citizens of the northern kingdom did.
Despite numerous warnings from prophets to return to the LORD and observe His commands, the Israelites remained obstinate. They rejected the LORD’s decrees, followed worthless idols, and imitated the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations. This persistent disobedience led to the LORD’s ultimate rejection of Israel, resulting in their exile.
The Israel of Jeroboam
They rejected his decrees and the covenant he had made with their ancestors and the statutes he had warned them to keep. They followed worthless idols and themselves became worthless. They imitated the nations around them although the LORD had ordered them, “Do not do as they do.” – 2 Kings 17:15 (NIV)
We imitate the people around us by following everything that this world does, seeking their respect, acknowledgement, and admiration. Our hope is to blend in with our peers; we don’t want to stand out or be singled out. Just as Israel was chosen and separated for God’s purpose yet desired to mingle with the world and participate in its activities, we too are driven by a fear of missing out (FOMO) on any experience this world offers. This fear has been present since the beginning of mankind, evident when Eve did not want to miss out on tasting the forbidden fruit. Similarly, we seek to experience everything the world has to offer, and our desires for worldly things lead us to look to those around us for advice and guidance.
The Israelites abandoned all the commands of the LORD their God and created two idols in the shape of calves, as well as an Asherah pole. They worshipped all the starry hosts and bowed down to Baal. They even sacrificed their sons and daughters in the fire, practised divination, sought omens, and engaged in evil practices that provoked the LORD’s anger.
As a result, the LORD was extremely angry with Israel and removed them from His presence, leaving only the tribe of Judah. However, even Judah did not keep the commands of the LORD their God and followed the sinful practices introduced by Israel. Therefore, the LORD rejected all the people of Israel, subjected them to plunderers, and ultimately expelled them from His presence.
When he tore Israel away from the house of David, they made Jeroboam son of Nebat their king. Jeroboam enticed Israel away from following the LORD and caused them to commit a great sin. The Israelites persisted in all the sins of Jeroboam and did not turn away from them until the LORD removed them from his presence, as he had warned through all his servants the prophets. So the people of Israel were taken from their homeland into exile in Assyria, and they are still there. – 2 Kings 17:21-23 (NIV)
Blaming one man for the fall of a nation may appear unjust at first glance, but as the first king of the partitioned northern half of Israel, Jeroboam wielded significant influence over his people’s direction and behavior. His decisions had far-reaching consequences, leading the nation into sin and eventual exile. However, scapegoating Jeroboam also serves as a symbolic representation of broader societal failures, simplifying complex issues into a single target for blame. Jeroboam may have been held accountable not only for his actions but also as a symbol of the nation’s moral decline and spiritual straying.
Additionally, assigning blame to one person can conveniently address complex societal problems, diverting attention from systemic issues or collective responsibility. Historical narratives often emphasize figures like Jeroboam to illustrate a nation’s downfall and stress the importance of fidelity to higher principles. While Jeroboam’s leadership was undoubtedly influential, attributing the collapse of a nation solely to him oversimplifies the multifaceted reasons behind such events.
The Resettlement of Samaria
Following the exile of the Israelites, the king of Assyria resettled people from various regions, including Babylon, Kuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, in the towns of Samaria. These new inhabitants did not initially worship the LORD, leading to a series of calamities, including attacks by lions. To mitigate this, the king of Assyria sent back one of the exiled priests to teach the new inhabitants how to worship the LORD.
Then the king of Assyria gave this order: “Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires.” So one of the priests who had been exiled from Samaria came to live in Bethel and taught them how to worship the LORD. – 2 Kings 17:27-28 (NIV)
However, despite this attempt, the resettled people continued to worship their own gods alongside the LORD. They created their own priests and persisted in the practices of their former lands, thus continuing a syncretistic form of worship that blended reverence for the LORD with idolatry.
Nevertheless, each national group created its own gods and set them up in the shrines at the high places in Samaria. The Babylonians made Sukkoth Benoth, the Kuthites made Nergal, the Hamathites made Ashima, the Avvites made Nibhaz and Tartak, and the Sepharvites sacrificed their children to Adrammelek and Anammelek. Though they worshipped the LORD, they also appointed their own priests for these high places.
To this day, they continue their former practices, neither truly worshipping the LORD nor following His commands. Despite the LORD’s covenant, which commanded them to worship only Him and keep His laws, they persisted in their idolatry. Even now, their descendants continue to do as their ancestors did
Conclusion
The narrative detailing the downfall of Israel mirrors a protracted legal proceeding against the Israelites, wherein the prosecution has made its case and it’s now our responsibility to assess and judge them. Yet, amidst this examination, it’s imperative that we introspect and recognize the similarities in our own connections with the LORD. The author concludes with a grave caution:
Even while these people were worshiping the LORD, they were serving their idols. To this day their children and grandchildren continue to do as their ancestors did. – 2 Kings 17:41 (NIV)
Discussion Questions
- Ever since their days of wandering in the desert, why did the Israelites feel the need to create their own gods?
- How do we imitate the people around us? What do we hope to achieve?
- How can one man be blamed for the fall of a nation?
The Jordan Valley 
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