In the history of the divided kingdom of Israel, names often serve as markers of transition, heritage, and the shifting tides of spiritual fidelity. Ela is a name that appears in the records of the tribe of Benjamin, specifically identified as the father of one of Israel’s most notable and faithful kings. His place in the biblical record is a testament to the importance of paternal heritage in the lineage of those who stand for the truth.
The Father of King Hoshea
Ela is most prominently recognized as the father of Hoshea, who became the final king of the northern kingdom of Israel. The scriptural record introduces Ela through the identification of his son’s rise to power during a time of great political and spiritual turmoil.
“In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Ela to reign in Samaria over Israel nine years.” (2 Kings 17:1, KJV)
The Benjamite Connection
While the northern kingdom was often characterized by its departure from the house of David, the lineage of Ela reminds us of the tribal complexities within the land. Though Hoshea reigned over the ten tribes in the north, the name Ela is also found within the genealogies of Benjamin, one of the two tribes that originally formed the southern kingdom of Judah.
“And Elah the son of Uzzi, the son of Michri, and Meshullam the son of Shephathiah, the son of Reuel, the son of Ibnijah;” (1 Chronicles 9:8, KJV)
In the Hebrew, the name is often rendered as Elah, meaning “oak” or “terebinth.” This imagery suggests strength and endurance—qualities that were desperately needed during the closing years of the northern kingdom’s existence.
A Witness to the End of an Era
Living during the 8th century B.C., Ela would have witnessed the steady decline of Israel under the pressure of the Assyrian Empire. As a father, he saw his son Hoshea navigate a treacherous political landscape, eventually conspiring against Pekah the son of Remaliah to take the throne.
While the Bible records that Hoshea “did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD,” it adds a significant caveat: “but not as the kings of Israel that were before him” (2 Kings 17:2). Under the reign of Ela’s son, there was a slight departure from the total apostasy of previous dynasties, though it was not enough to stay the coming judgment of the Assyrian captivity.
The Legacy of the Name
The mention of Ela serves as a structural pillar in the chronological record of the kings. In a period defined by chaos, assassinations, and shifting alliances, the Holy Spirit saw fit to preserve the name of the father of the last king of Israel. It serves as a reminder that even as a nation approaches its end, God keeps a precise record of the individuals and families involved in the unfolding of His sovereign will.