King Hoshea became king of Israel in the 12th year of king of Ahaz [2Kin 17:1]
1st Year of King Ahaz
--The 17th Year of King Pekah
Ahaz began to reign in the 17th year of Pekah son of Remaliah [2Kin 16:1]
12th Year of King Ahaz
King Hoshea became king of Israel in the 12th year of king of Ahaz [2Kin 17:1]
17th Year of King Pekah
Ahaz began to reign in the 17th year of Pekah son of Remaliah [2Kin 16:1]
Since Pekah reigned for 20 years, this would leave only 3 more years--17th, 18th, 19th and 20th years.
3rd Year of King Hoshea
King Hezekiah began to reign in the 3rd year of king Hoshea [2Kin 18:1]
1st Year of King Hezekiah
--The 3rd Year of King Hoshea
Hezekiah son of Ahaz began to reign in the 3rd year of King Hoshea [2Kin 18:1]
Their Years Had Different Beginnings and Ends
Clearly, the year in Israel and the year in Judah for the reign of Hoshea and Hezekiah did not have the same start and end.
If they had the same start and end, then,
Since the 3rd year of Hoshea was Hezekiah's 1sr [2Kin 18:1],
Then, Hoshea's 7th year wouldn't be Hezekiah's 4th [2Kin 18:9]
These would only be in agreement if the Hezekiah's year of reign began after Hoshea's.
The years of the two nations--Israel and Judah--either
Began in a fixed month, like in the present western world, the year begins in January or
Their years of reign were counted from any month that they came to power (just as, in modern times, a man's birthday, how old he is, is determined from his actual date of birth).
King Hezekiah Reigned for 29 Years
2Kin 18:1-2
King Hoshea Reigned for 9 Years
2Kin 17:1
King Pekah Reigned for 20 Years
2Kin 15:27
King Ahaz Reigned for 16 Years
2Kin 16:1-2
Counting Backwards from the 1st Year of King Hoshea Being the 12th Year of King Ahaz
King Hoshea became king of Israel in the 12th year of king of Ahaz [2Kin 17:1]
Hoshea assasinated Pekah and reigned as king after him.
Pekah reigned for 20 years.
Therefore, Hoshea became king in the 20th year of Pekah
If this was the 12th year of Ahaz, then
Ahaz's first year was the 9th year of Pekah
4th Year of King Hezekiah, the 7th Year of King Hoshea
In King Hezekiah’s fourth year, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, Shalmaneser king of Assyria marched against Samaria and laid siege to it. [2Kin 18:9]
Seige of Samaria BEGINS
2Kin 18:9
The seige of Samaria began in
The 4th year of king Hezekiah of Judah and
The 7th year of king Hoshea of Israel
Seige of Samaria ENDS
2Kin 18:10
The seige of Samaria comes to an end in
The 6th year of king Hezekiah of Judah and
The 9th year of king Hoshea of Israel
Samaria Falls to Shelmanasar of Assyria
2Kin 18:10
The reign of king Hoshea comes to an end with the capture of Samaria by king Shelmanasar of Assyria who had besieged it for 3 years in
The 9th year of king Hoshea of Israel which was
The 6th year of king Hezekiah of Judah
King Sennacherib of Assyria Invades Judah
In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. [2Kin 18:13]
King Sennacherib of Assyria Invades Judah
In the fourteenth year of King Hezekiah’s reign, Sennacherib king of Assyria attacked all the fortified cities of Judah and captured them. [2Kin 18:13]
Two Sabbath Years
“This will be the sign for you, O Hezekiah:
“This year you will eat what grows by itself, and the second year what springs from that. But in the third year sow and reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit. [2Kin 19:29]
15 More Years is Added to the Life of King Hezekiah
I will add fifteen years to your life. And I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria. I will defend this city for my sake and for the sake of my servant David.’” [2Kin 20:6]
Hezekiah Dies and Mannaseh Succeeds Him
Hezekiah rested with his fathers. And Manasseh his son succeeded him as king. 21:iManasseh was twelve years old when hebecame king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-five years. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. [2Kin 20:21; 21:1]