4 But the king of Assyria discovered that Hoshea was a traitor, for he had sent envoys to So[1] king of Egypt, and he no longer paid tribute to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year. Therefore Shalmaneser seized him and put him in prison.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 17:4

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.