'Osorkon IV' was the a ruler of Lower Egypt who was not a member of the Twenty-second dynasty of Egypt. His parentage is unknown but he is attested as the ruler of Tanis--and thereby one of Shoshenq V's successors in Lower Egypt--after the end of the 22nd Dynasty. His reign was never recognised at Memphis where documents were dated to the reign of 24th Saite dynasty king Bakenranef. During his time, Egypt was ruled concurrently by four dynasties - 22nd, 23rd, 24th and the 25th. Shortly after Osorkon had ascended the throne, Upper Egypt was conquered by the Kushite king, Piankhi, and Osorkon IV ended ruling only the Esat Nile Delta region. To help him against the invading Assyrians, Hoshea, king of Israel, sent messengers to Osorkon in Egypt. But Osorkon dispatched no aid or troops. The Israelite capital Samaria was captured by the Assyrian king Shalmaneser V in 722 BC and its inhabitans were imprisoned and taken in exile to Assyria. To avoid military conflict with the Assyrians or even invasion, Osorkon sent presents, including several horses, to placate the new Assyrian king Sargon II who rose to power soon after the fall of Samaria. Osorkon's tactic apparently worked since Sargon accepted his gifts and did not take action against him.

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