5 Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:5

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.