2Ki 17: "Hoshea conspired against Pekah, and ascended the
throne with the connivance of Assyria (2Ki 15:30). Thus he had to pay homage and
tribute to the Assyrian Power. Having successfully conspired against Pekah, he
also tried to doublecross Assyria, ignoring the warnings of the prophet (2Ki
17:4; Hos 10:14), and brought destruction on himself and the nation. He was
attacked by Shalmaneser V, who died unexpectedly during the siege. Sargon (Isa
20:1), his successor, continued the attack. 'In the first year of my reign,'
boasted Sargon in his annals, 'I besieged and conquered Samaria.' He claims to
have led away into captivity 27,290 people. Sargon settled foreigners in Israel,
and recorded: 'People of the lands, prisoners my hand had captured, I settled
there. My officials I placed over them as governors. I imposed tribute and tax
upon them as Assyrians.' Thus, by ruthless dictators, the Israelites were rooted
out of their land and transported elsewhere. It was a grave time of apostasy in
Judah as well as in the northern kingdom. So 2Ki 17:20 records that Judah
followed the wicked example of Israel. Baal-worship under Jehoram, Ahab and
Athaliah, were also the sin of Ahaz, Manasseh and Amon. Not only so, but there
was a twisting of teaching and doctrine, instituted by those who deliberately
misquoted and misapplied the Word (see v 32). There was a terrible perversion,
in which the true religious was tainted by worldliness and tardiness in
spiritual issues. Consequently 'the nations feared Yahweh, and served their
graven images' (v 41). There is a great need to remain constant and true to our
high and holy calling today" (GEM).
The events of this chapter are contemporary with the prophecy
of Hosea: cp 2Ki 17:3 with Hos 10:6 (gave him presents); 2Ki 17:6 with Hos 10:7
(Samaria taken); 2Ki 17:11 with Hos 12:14 (provoke the Lord to anger); 2Ki 17:13
with Hos 12:11 (all the prophets); 2Ki 17:13 with Hos 11:5 (Turn from your evil
ways); 2Ki 17:16 with Hos 13:2 (served Baal); 2Ki 17:20 with Hos 10:2 (hand of
spoilers); 2Ki 17:25 with Hos 11:10 (lions). So Hosea was speaking of the events
in Israel prior to it being taken by the Assyrian.
2Ki 17:7
Vv 7-23: A summary of the sins of the nation of
Israel.
2Ki 17:9
SECRETLY: Cp Eze 8:12. The idea of "doing secretly" is
picked up from Deu 13:6; 27:15. It is a trait of man that he thinks he can hide
his lusts from God by going underground, as it were. This is clearly not
true.
FROM WATCHTOWER TO FORTIFIED CITY: An expression sig
"from the smallest village to the largest city".
AND REMOVED THEM FROM HIS PRESENCE: Israel was removed
as a nation -- although some individuals still remained (cp 2Ki 23:29; 2Ch
11:14-17).
2Ki 17:24
Vv 24-29: The origin of the Samaritans.
2Ki 17:31
ADRAMMELECH AND ANAMMELECH: The male and female
sun-deities.
2Ki 17:33
THEY WORSHIPED THE LORD, BUT THEY ALSO SERVED THEIR OWN
GODS: A very sketchy knowledge of LM. The Samaritans are refused recognition
by the Jews; thus they hinder the later work of Ezra and Nehemiah (Ezr 4:1-5;
Neh 4:1-8).
2Ki 17:41
"No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and
love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You
cannot serve both God and Money" (Mat 6:24).