2 Kings, Chapter 17:1-23
Synopisis: Epic chapter. Deals with something I only learned about through this chapter, the Assyrian exile. This is different to the Babylonian exile. It happened to a different kingdom (Israel), different aggressor (Assyria), different time (100-ish years before Babylonian exile) and done differently (different outcome). Joshes is the last king of Israel. He was evil, but in a new way. He was paying off the King of Assyria, but stopped and instead was courting “So” the King of Egypt. Assyria gets mad and invades Israel eventually taking Samaria. All of Israel is exiled to Assyria and the people are assimilated with other peoples, both within Samaria (thus becoming known as Samaritans), and in Assyria. They never regrouped, or re-occupied Israel. It is very clearly explained that all of this happened because of their sin. Simple message, very dramatic outcome.