twelfth year. There was anarchy for nine years between Pekah and Hoshea. For, in 2 Kings 15:30, Hoshea conspired against Pekah in the twentieth year of Jotham, which was the third year of Ahaz (20. 12. 8): for Ahaz began in Pekah's seventeenth year (2 Kings 16:1), and Hoshea began in Ahaz's twelfth year. But Pekah's twenty years end in Ahaz's third year. (See App-50.
nine years: reckoned from twelfth of Ahaz. Hoshea kept under by the Assyrians till then. Compare Hosea 10:14, where Shalman[eser] spoiled Betharbel in his first expedition, and would spoil Beth-el at his second,