Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 17

Verse 1

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,

Verse 2

evil. Hebrew. ra'a'. App-44 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

not as the kings of Israel . . . before him: thus, we do not read that he opposed Hezekiah's invitation (2 Chronicles 30:5-11 ).

Verse 4

So. The Hebrew drops the embarrassing "k" of Sabako, his Ethiopian name. Afterward vanquished by Tir-hakah. See note on 2 Kings 19:9 .

Verse 5

the king of Aasyria. Shalmaneser (2 Kings 17:3 ), who commenced the siege, but died before Sargon, his successor, captured Samaria in 611 B.C.

three years. From 613-611.

Verse 6

king of Assyria = Shalmaneser. See 2 Kings 17:3 .

took Samaria. Here, in the days of Hoshea (king of Israel); and in 2 Kings 1:0 8 as connected with the days of Hezekiah (king of Judah). Compare 2 Kings 18:9 .

carried Israel away. Sargon's own inscription says 27,290. Compare 2 Kings 18:9-12 .

Halah. Some codices, with four early printed editions, read "Halath".

Verse 7

children = sons.

sinned. Hebrew. chata. App-44 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

Verse 8

heathen = nations.

Verse 9

from the tower . . . to the fenced city: from the remote watchtower in the country to the fortified city = the whole country.

Verse 10

images = statues

groves = 'Asherah. See note on Exodus 34:13 , and App-42 .

Verse 12

idols = filthy, or manufactured idols.

shall not do this thing. Compare Exodus 20:3 ; Exodus 23:13 .Leviticus 26:1 .Deuteronomy 12:31 , &c.

Verse 13

all the seers = every one who had a vision.

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton.

and My statutes. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Aramaean, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and My statutes" (the "and" being in the text).

by = by the hand of; and so generally. Compare 2 Kings 17:23 .

the prophets. Those in ISRAEL were Ahijah, Jehu (son of Hanani), Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah, Jonah, Oded, Amos, and Hosea. Those in JUDAH were Shemaiah, Iddo, Azariah, Hanani, Jehu, Zechariah (son of Jehoiada), Micah, and Isaiah.

Verse 14

like to. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "as their fathers' neck [was stiffened]".

Verse 15

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: 2 Kings 17:15-17 . Sixteen "ands" emphasizing each detail.

vanity. A term often applied to idols.

Verse 17

pass through the fire. Compare Leviticus 18:21 .Deuteronomy 12:31 ; Deuteronomy 18:10 .

divination and enchantments: i.e. traffic with evil spirits and demons, and familiar spirits. Identical with modern spiritism. Compare Deuteronomy 18:10 , and see 1 Samuel 28:8 . Acts 16:16 . Revelation 9:21 .

Verse 18

Judah only. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of the Part), Levites and Benjamin and additions from Israel are of course included.

Verse 19

but walked. Compare Athaliah (2 Kings 8:18 , 2 Kings 8:27 ; 2 Kings 16:3 , &c).

Verse 20

all the seed. A prophetic anticipation.

Verse 21

made. See note on 1 Kings 14:16 .

sin a great sin. Figure of speech Polyptoton for emphasis. Hebrew. chata'. App-44 .

Verse 23

as = according as.

Verse 24

brought men. These were the substituted people forming the nucleus of the later Samaritans; but subsequently intermixed with Israelites returning with Ezra and Nehemiah (Nehemiah 13:3 , Nehemiah 13:23-31 ). In N. T called "foreigners" (Luke 17:18 ). Compare Matthew 10:5 , Matthew 10:6 . Sargon refers to this in his inscriptions. Only one figure remains (7) of the number he gives.

Cuthah. Ten miles north-east of Babylon. In the first year of Sargon there was war between Cuthah and Babylon, and the people of Cuthah were transported to Syria and Palestine.

Ava = either the Ivah of 2 Kings 18:34 , or the Ahava of Ezra 8:15 .

Hamath. The one in Syria.

Sepharvairn (Dual). The two Sippars in Babylonia. Sippar sa Samas (the sun-god) and Sippar sa Anuituv.

Verse 25

lions. For lions in Palestine see note on 1 Kings 13:24 .

slew = kept on slaying. Omit "some".

Verse 27

one of the priests. An idolatrous Israelite priest from Samaria (2 Kings 17:28 ).

Verse 30

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) emphasizing the five nations brought into Palestine. Compare 2 Kings 17:24 . Each brought its own gods. Thus (according to the language of the O.T.) Samaria committed adultery (idolatry) with five husbands (compare Isaiah 54:5 with Isaiah 23:17 . Jeremiah 22:20 . Hosea 2:10-12 ). Repeated individually in John 4:18 . No wonder the woman worshipped she knew not what (John 4:22 ).

Verse 31

burnt = burnt up. See App-43 .

Verse 32

lowest. Compare 1 Kings 12:31 .

Verse 33

feared. Compare 2 Kings 17:41 , whom they carried away from thence: or, whence they (the settlers) had carried them away.

Verse 34

they. These, according to the Structure, are the Israelites. The member (34-40, p. 514) records their continued obduracy in their dispersion.

statutes. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

whom, &c. Render: "after the manner of the [several] nations; [gods] which had caused them [i.e. the Israelites] to go captive thence [i.e. out of the Land]. Genesis 32:28 . 1 Kings 18:31 .

Verse 37

which He wrote, &c. See note on Exodus 17:14 , and App-47 .

Verse 41

as = according as.