2 Kings 17:28

Then one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Bethel, and taught them how they should fear the LORD.

Then one {H259} of the priests {H3548} whom they had carried away {H1540} from Samaria {H8111} came {H935} and dwelt {H3427} in Bethel {H1008}, and taught {H3384} them how they should fear {H3372} the LORD {H3068}.

So one of the cohanim they had carried away captive from Shomron came and lived in Beit-El, and he taught them how they should fear ADONAI.

Thus one of the priests they had carried away came and lived in Bethel, and he began to teach them how they should worship the LORD.

So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria came and dwelt in Beth-el, and taught them how they should fear Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Kings 17:28 describes a pivotal moment in the aftermath of the Assyrian conquest of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Following the deportation of the Israelites and the resettlement of Samaria with foreign peoples, these new inhabitants faced divine judgment in the form of lion attacks. Believing they needed to appease the "god of the land," the king of Assyria sent back one of the exiled Israelite priests to teach them about the God of Israel.

Historical and Cultural Context

The events leading up to this verse are crucial for understanding its significance. After the Assyrian Empire conquered Samaria, the capital of the Northern Kingdom, in 2 Kings 17:6, they implemented a policy of population exchange. They deported the native Israelites to various parts of their empire and brought in foreign settlers from Babylon, Cuthah, Ava, Hamath, and Sepharvaim to inhabit the depopulated territories (2 Kings 17:24). These new inhabitants brought their own pagan deities and worship practices. When they were attacked by lions (2 Kings 17:25), they concluded that they did not know "the manner of the God of the land," leading the Assyrian king to send back one of the Israelite priests.

The choice of Bethel as the priest's dwelling place is also significant. Bethel was a historically important religious site in Israel, where Jacob had a vision of a ladder to heaven (Genesis 28:19). However, it later became a center for idolatry under King Jeroboam I, who set up a golden calf there for the Northern Kingdom to worship (1 Kings 12:29), contributing to Israel's spiritual decline.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Fear of the LORD: The core instruction given by the priest was "how they should fear the LORD." The phrase 'fear the LORD' (Hebrew: yireh Yahweh) signifies much more than mere terror; it implies a deep reverence, awe, and obedient submission to God's will. It is foundational to biblical wisdom and knowledge (Proverbs 1:7). This teaching aimed to introduce the foreign settlers to the true God of Israel and His requirements for proper worship and conduct.
  • Divine Providence Amidst Judgment: Even in the midst of judgment upon Israel and the chaos of conquest, God's sovereign hand is evident. Through the Assyrian king's decree, a priest was sent to impart some knowledge of the LORD to the new inhabitants. This highlights God's persistent desire for all peoples to know Him, even if their initial motivation was fear of consequences.
  • Incomplete Conversion and Syncretism: While this verse describes an initial teaching of the LORD, the subsequent verses in 2 Kings 17 reveal that the foreign settlers did not fully abandon their own gods. Instead, they incorporated the worship of the LORD into their existing polytheistic practices, resulting in a syncretistic religion (2 Kings 17:33-41). This illustrates the challenge of true conversion and the human tendency to combine spiritual truths with personal preferences.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew verb for "fear" (ירא, yare') in "fear the LORD" carries a broad semantic range. It can mean to be afraid, but in a theological context, it often denotes a profound respect, awe, and reverence that leads to obedience and worship. It is the proper response to the holiness and power of God.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • The Importance of True Knowledge of God: Just as the foreign settlers needed to learn how to properly "fear the LORD," so too do people today need accurate instruction in God's character and will. Without this knowledge, faith can be misdirected or diluted.
  • God's Pursuing Love: Even those who are far from God, or who come to Him out of fear, can be met with an opportunity to learn about Him. God's desire for humanity to know and worship Him is persistent.
  • Beware of Syncretism: The eventual outcome for the Samaritans (a mixed worship of the LORD and their own gods) serves as a warning against diluting biblical truth with worldly philosophies or personal preferences. True worship demands exclusive devotion to the one true God, as emphasized in the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 12:29

    And he set the one in Bethel, and the other put he in Dan.

  • 1 Kings 12:32

    And Jeroboam ordained a feast in the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, like unto the feast that [is] in Judah, and he offered upon the altar. So did he in Bethel, sacrificing unto the calves that he had made: and he placed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.

  • Isaiah 29:13

    Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near [me] with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

  • Matthew 15:14

    Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
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