17:6 In the ninth year of Hoshea. That is, 722/21 b.c. The figure given (“ninth year”) counts his reign from 730, perhaps because his having the Assyrians as sponsors delayed his official recognition. Another possibility is that it leaves out the three years he was in prison.

the king of Assyria. Sargon II, who ruled Assyria 722–705 b.c.

carried the Israelites away. Sargon II claims in his annals to have deported 27,290 inhabitants to distant locations. The capture of Samaria marked the end of the northern kingdom (1 Chr. 5:25, 26). It never rose again (vv. 7–23 and notes). Archaeological evidence suggests that many people fled Israel during the succession of Assyrian attacks on the north and settled in Judah. This influx of northern refugees significantly increased the population of Jerusalem during the late eighth and early seventh century b.c.

Gozan. This Assyrian provincial capital was near the Habor River, a northern tributary of the Euphrates.

cities of the Medes. Though not identified by name, they were probably in the area northeast of the Tigris River and south of the Caspian Sea.