2 Kings 17

41 verses

TL;DR

Israel’s apostasy under Hoshea triggers Assyrian conquest, exile, and replacement of the Israelites, while Judah remains but likewise turns from God.

Summary

In 2 Kings 17, Hoshea’s reign in Samaria is marked by disobedience and a betrayal of the Assyrian alliance, leading to a three‑year siege and the city’s capture. The Assyrians deport the Israelites to regions such as Halah, Habor, and the cities of the Medes, fulfilling the prophetic warnings for Israel’s idolatry. The chapter recounts Israel’s persistent worship of foreign gods—building high places, sacrificing to Baal, and performing divination—despite repeated prophetic rebuke. Judah, though spared at first, also falls into idolatry and disobedience, prompting further judgment. The narrative explains how the Assyrians populate Samaria with peoples from other nations, who continue to build idols and reject Israel’s covenant, yet a priest from Samaria teaches them fear of the Lord. The passage concludes with a lament that Israel’s descendants persist in their disobedient ways, forsaking the covenant and fearing the Lord only as a formality.

Outline

1. Hoshea’s apostasy and Assyrian siege
2. Exile of Israel and judgment for idolatry
3. Assyrian settlement and continued disobedience of Judah and newcomers

Themes

Divine judgment for idolatryThe covenant and its breachExile as a consequence of faithlessness

Keywords

exileidolatryhigh placesAssyriacovenantprophetJeroboamSamariaJudahlions

People

AhazHosheaShalmaneserKing of EgyptJeroboamProphets of IsraelProphets of JudahPriest from Samaria

Places

SamariaIsraelAssyriaHalahHaborGozanCities of the MedesEgyptBabylonCuthahAvaHamathSepharvaimBethel

Things

High placesIdol worshipProphetic warningsAssyrian siegeExileLions as divine judgmentPriest teachingCovenant covenant

Key Verses

2 Kings 17:5: Shows the beginning of the Assyrian siege and Israel’s downfall
2 Kings 17:6: Details the deportation and settlement of Israelites
2 Kings 17:13: Highlights the prophetic call to return to covenant
2 Kings 17:20: Emphasizes Judah’s continued disobedience
2 Kings 17:24: Illustrates Assyria’s replacement of Israelite population
2 Kings 17:30: Describes the new peoples’ idolatry and their rejection of the Lord

Questions

What does the repeated mention of idolatry and prophetic warnings reveal about Israel’s spiritual state?
How does the Assyrian policy of relocating peoples in Samaria illustrate ancient imperial strategies?
In what ways does the narrative foreshadow later biblical themes of judgment and redemption?
What lessons might contemporary readers draw from Judah’s failure to heed the covenant?
How does the presence of lions as a divine instrument impact the interpretation of God’s sovereignty?

Sentiment

mixed
The passage contains both condemnation of Israel’s idolatry and a lament over Judah’s failure, reflecting sorrow and warning.