3 against him came up Shalmaneser king of Asshur, and Hoshea is to him a servant, and doth render to him a present. 4 And the king of Asshur findeth in Hoshea a conspiracy, in that he hath sent messengers unto So king of Egypt, and hath not caused a present to go up to the king of Asshur, as year by year, and the king of Asshur restraineth him, and bindeth him in a house of restraint. 5 And the king of Asshur goeth up into all the land, and he goeth up to Samaria, and layeth siege against it three years;
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:3-5
Commentary on 2 Kings 17:1-6
(Read 2 Kings 17:1-6)
When the measure of sin is filled up, the Lord will forbear no longer. The inhabitants of Samaria must have endured great affliction. Some of the poor Israelites were left in the land. Those who were carried captives to a great distance, were mostly lost among the nations.