In the twelfth year of Ahaz, Hosea son of Elah became king over Israel and he reigned in Samaria for nine years. He did what displeased the Lord, but not as those who were before him. Shalmaneser king of Assyria came up against him and Hoshea became his servant and brought him tribute. When someone informed Shalmaneser that Hosea was plotting against him by sending messengers to So, the king of Egypt, and offering no more tribute, he arrested him and put him in prison. He went throughout the land and besieged Samaria for three years and carried Israel away to Halah in Assyria and to the cities of the Medes.