Shalmaneser V and the Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel: A Historical and Biblical Analysis

Edward D. Andrews
5 hours ago
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Background and Identity of Shalmaneser V

Shalmaneser V, the successor of Tiglath-pileser III, reigned over the Neo-Assyrian Empire from 727 to 722 B.C.E., according to the literal biblical chronology. He is known to have ascended the throne after the death of his father, Tiglath-pileser III, and reigned until he was overthrown by Sargon II. While his reign is not extensively documented in surviving Assyrian inscriptions, he is a key figure in the final years of the northern kingdom of Israel, with most of our concrete historical data coming from the biblical record.

Interestingly, Assyrian sources identify Shalmaneser V with the name Ululaia when he served concurrently as king over Babylon. This identification, although not confirmed in monumental inscriptions, is supported by the Babylonian King List and a footnote in Ancient Near Eastern Texts (ANET, p. 272, ftn. 4). It is further corroborated by classical sources such as Josephus, who cites Menander of Ephesus—an ancient historian with access to Tyrian records—stating that Shalmaneser V besieged the city of Tyre during his reign (Jewish Antiquities IX, 283-287 [xiv, 2]). This event aligns with Assyrian expansionist policy under Tiglath-pileser III and his successors, demonstrating continuity in Assyrian aggression in the Levant.

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Shalmaneser V's Campaign Against Israel

The most significant biblical reference to Shalmaneser V appears in the context of the fall of Samaria and the Assyrian captivity of the ten northern tribes of Israel. The Bible reports that during the reign of Hoshea, the last king of Israel, Shalmaneser V marched into the territory of Israel, likely in 725 B.C.E., and subjugated the nation, turning Hoshea into a vassal king who paid annual tribute (2 Kings 17:1–3). This political relationship, however, deteriorated when Hoshea conspired with King So of Egypt, likely a reference to Osorkon IV of Tanis, and withheld the tribute. As a result, Shalmaneser V imprisoned Hoshea and launched a full-scale siege of Samaria (2 Kings 17:4–5).

This siege lasted three years, concluding around 722 B.C.E. The length of the siege and the fortifications of Samaria reflect the strategic importance of the city. While the Bible attributes the campaign to Shalmaneser, it does not explicitly state which king captured the city (2 Kings 17:6; 18:9–12). This omission has led some scholars to credit Sargon II, who succeeded Shalmaneser V and claimed the conquest of Samaria in his own inscriptions. However, this should not lead us to dismiss the biblical account. Given the chronology and the nature of Sargon's retrospective claims to legitimize his rule following a usurpation, it is most consistent with the evidence to conclude that Shalmaneser V initiated and carried out the siege, and the city likely fell shortly before or soon after his death in 722 B.C.E.

The exile of the Israelites, described in 2 Kings 17:6 and 18:11, involved their forced relocation to areas such as Halah, Habor, the river of Gozan, and the cities of the Medes—regions that were under Assyrian control. This mass deportation was a deliberate Assyrian policy aimed at breaking nationalistic spirit and preventing rebellion. This exile effectively ended the 257-year history of the northern kingdom of Israel, which had begun with Jeroboam I in 997 B.C.E. and ended with Hoshea in 722 B.C.E.

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Reinforcement Through Prophetic Literature

Prophets such as Hosea and Ezekiel provide theological and historical context to this event. Hosea 7:11 condemns Israel's political vacillation between Assyria and Egypt, likening Ephraim to a "silly dove without sense." This accurately reflects Hoshea’s political naiveté in attempting to align with Egypt against Assyria. Ezekiel 23:4-10, though written during the Babylonian exile centuries later, retrospectively rebukes Samaria (Oholah) for her idolatry and political alliances with Assyria, leading to her downfall—a judgment fulfilled in the events associated with Shalmaneser V.

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Archaeological Considerations

Although Shalmaneser V left behind fewer inscriptions than his predecessors, his historical presence is confirmed through Assyrian eponym lists, king lists, and references in Babylonian chronicles. The absence of royal annals extolling victories may reflect his abrupt removal from power rather than a lack of activity. Sargon II, who succeeded him, seems to have systematically eradicated much of Shalmaneser’s legacy to bolster his own claim to the throne.

Excavations at Samaria have uncovered significant destruction layers consistent with the biblical account of a siege in the 8th century B.C.E. Additionally, Assyrian administrative tablets from the region support the implementation of provincial control following the city’s capture, consistent with Assyrian imperial policy.

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Conclusion: The Scriptural and Historical Convergence

Shalmaneser V plays a pivotal role in biblical history as the Assyrian monarch whose campaign against Israel culminated in the fall of Samaria and the exile of the northern tribes. While his reign is sparsely documented in Assyrian sources, the biblical text provides a coherent and historically reliable narrative. When aligned with known Assyrian practices and corroborated by archaeology, the biblical record of Shalmaneser V's dealings with Israel stands as the primary historical account of this king's significance.

About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220 books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).