2 Kings 17:27: “Then the king of Assyria gave this order: ‘Have one of the priests you took captive from Samaria go back to live there and teach the people what the god of the land requires.'”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, the king of Assyria responds to the reports that lions were attacking the people resettled in Samaria, believing it was because they didn’t know how to properly worship the God of that land. To solve this, the Assyrian king orders that one of the priests who had been taken captive during the conquest of Israel should be sent back to Samaria to teach the new inhabitants how to worship the Lord. The Assyrian king still operates from a worldview that each land had its own god, so he assumes that the attacks were the result of offending the local deity. His solution is to bring back a priest to restore religious practices, though his understanding of worship is limited by this flawed assumption.
Historical Context
This event takes place after the Northern Kingdom of Israel had been conquered by the Assyrians in 722 B.C. The Assyrians had deported most of the Israelites and brought in people from other regions to repopulate the land of Samaria. These new settlers brought their own gods and religious practices but were unfamiliar with the worship of the God of Israel. When lions began to attack, they interpreted it as a sign that they had offended the god of the land. The king of Assyria, trying to avoid further trouble, ordered a priest from the former Israelite captives to return and teach the people how to appease this god. However, these efforts were superficial, and the resulting religion in Samaria became a mixture of pagan practices and a distorted form of worship of the Lord.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse shows the consequences of shallow, incomplete worship. The settlers, and even the king of Assyria, failed to understand the true nature of God. They treated the Lord like one of many territorial gods, thinking they could appease Him with ritualistic practices. This reflects the dangers of trying to incorporate elements of true worship without a genuine understanding of God’s character and expectations. The mixing of paganism with worship of the true God resulted in a corrupt religion, which would later become the basis for the Samaritans’ religious practices, causing conflict with the Jews during the time of Jesus.
Literary Analysis
The structure of the verse highlights the practical, yet misguided, solution offered by the king of Assyria. His assumption that a priest’s return could fix the problem reflects the limited understanding of the settlers and their king. The phrase “what the god of the land requires” shows their belief that each region had its own god, and it reveals their failure to grasp that the God of Israel is the one true God, not limited by geography. This misunderstanding sets the stage for the blending of religious practices in Samaria, which would have long-term consequences for the region’s religious identity.
Biblical Cross-References
- Leviticus 18:3-5 – This passage outlines God’s commands to the Israelites to live differently from the pagan nations, emphasizing the importance of obeying God’s laws in the Promised Land.
- 2 Kings 17:33 – Later in this chapter, it is revealed that the new settlers in Samaria “worshiped the Lord, but they also served their own gods,” showing the syncretism that developed from this incident.
- John 4:20-24 – Jesus has a conversation with the Samaritan woman, addressing the differences in worship between Jews and Samaritans, which had roots in events like this one, where religious practices in Samaria became a mixture of truth and error.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For modern Christians, this verse serves as a reminder that true worship requires more than just following rituals—it demands a right understanding of who God is and what He requires. Like the Assyrian king and the settlers, many people today try to approach God without fully knowing Him, mixing cultural ideas or traditions with biblical truth. This verse challenges believers to seek a deeper, more accurate understanding of God through His Word, rather than relying on shallow practices or external forms of religion. It also warns against mixing biblical faith with worldly or pagan influences, reminding us to worship God in spirit and in truth.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
Even in this story of misunderstanding and misdirected worship, God’s desire for true worship is evident. The attacks by lions can be seen as a wake-up call to the people, giving them an opportunity to learn about the true God of Israel. God desires that all people know Him and worship Him in truth. The presence of the priest, while not a perfect solution, shows that God is not distant but is willing to reveal Himself, even to those who do not yet fully understand Him. His love is seen in His desire for the people to turn from error and find the truth about Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ in that it points to the need for a true and perfect revelation of God. The settlers in Samaria were trying to worship a God they did not fully understand, and their efforts were incomplete and misguided. Jesus came to reveal God fully to humanity, showing us who God truly is and what it means to worship Him in spirit and truth (John 14:6-9). Where the priest in this story offered a partial understanding of God, Jesus offers the full revelation of the Father. Through Jesus, we no longer need to guess at what God requires—we see it clearly in His life, teachings, and sacrifice.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any areas in your life where you might be mixing biblical truth with cultural practices or ideas that don’t align with Scripture? How can you ensure your worship of God is rooted in truth?
- How does this passage challenge you to go beyond superficial religious practices and seek a deeper relationship with God?
- In what ways does Jesus reveal the fullness of God to you? How can you grow in your understanding of who God is through Jesus’ life and teachings?