In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.

 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.

 3 Against him came up ^aShalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.

 4 And the king of Assyria found ^aconspiracy 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.