Who is…
Shalmaneser

also known as: Shalmanezer

The name “Shalmaneser” is mentioned twice in Scripture:

“Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents.” —2 Kings 17:3 KJV

“And it came to pass in the fourth year of king Hezekiah, which was the seventh year of Hoshea son of Elah king of Israel, that Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against Samaria, and besieged it.” —2 Kings 18:9 KJV

Archaeology reveals that there were several Shalmanesers.

• Shalmaneser I (about 1273–1244 BC)
• Shalmaneser II (1030–1019 BC)
• Shalmaneser III (859–824 BC)
• Shalmaneser IV (783–773 BC)
• Shalmaneser V (727–722 BC), conquered Samaria and the Kingdom of Israel and was later deposed and killed by Sargon II in a coup

Some believe that Shalmanezer II (by Archibald Sayce) or IV (by François Lenormant) is King Shalman. German Assyriologist Eberhard Schrader argued that rather than Shalmaneser, Shalman was probably Salmanu, a king of Moab mentioned in an inscription of Tiglath-Pileser III.

King Shalmaneser V is mentioned in 2 Kings 17:3-6, 24; 18:9

More information

• What does the Bible say about ASSYRIA?
• What is the significance of IRAQ in the Bible?
• Shalman
• King Pul
• KINGS of the Bible
• What are the BOOKS OF THE KINGS?
• Learn about Bible archaeology