Log inSign up

2 Kings 17 · a question people ask

Did the LORD really send lions on people who had just arrived?

In the text

The chapter says so in its own words and gives its reason: "So it was, at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they didn’t fear the LORD. Therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which killed some of them" (17:25). The people who spoke to the king of Assyria put it their own way: the nations "don’t know the law of the god of the land. Therefore he has sent lions among them" (17:26). The narrator names the LORD; they speak of "the god of the land". Kings has told of lions before: the old prophet said of the man of God from Judah, "the LORD has delivered him to the lion" (1 Kings 13:26), and in 1 Kings 20 a man who refused to strike one of the sons of the prophets (1 Kings 20:35) was told, "Because you have not obeyed the LORD’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you" (1 Kings 20:36). The chapter doesn't say more than that, and the lions aren't mentioned again after the priest is sent (17:27-28).

The verses

“When the prophet who brought him back from the way heard of it, he said, “It is the man of God who was disobedient to the LORD’s word. Therefore the LORD has delivered him to the lion, which has mauled him and slain him, according to the LORD’s word which he spoke to him.””
1 Kings 13:26 · World English Bible
“A certain man of the sons of the prophets said to his fellow by the LORD’s word, “Please strike me!” The man refused to strike him. Then he said to him, “Because you have not obeyed the LORD’s voice, behold, as soon as you have departed from me, a lion will kill you.” As soon as he had departed from him, a lion found him and killed him.”
1 Kings 20:35-36 · World English Bible

From Favor's study of 2 Kings 17

2 Kings 17: Turn from your evil ways

Samaria fell, 2 Kings says, "because the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God" (17:7), though he warned them "by every prophet and every seer" (17:13). Jeroboam "made them sin a great sin" (17:21), in Hebrew the words Moses said three times over the calf at Sinai (Exodus 32:21, 32:30, 32:31).

In Favor, questions like this come up right where they arise as you read, with the Hebrew and Greek behind the words and how the chapter leads to Jesus.

Start your free week2 Kings 17 Bible study

First week free, then $10 a month per person

More questions about 2 Kings 17

All questions about 2 Kings →

The best way to learn the Bible

Favor opens up every chapter as you read.

Favor is a Bible study app for your phone or computer. It takes you through the Bible one chapter at a time, a few minutes a day, and shows you what's really there: the words behind the words, the moments most people miss, and how the whole story fits together. For you. For everyone.

  • Every chapter explains itself

    As you read, short notes open up what's really going on, the details most readers walk past, and the honest questions people ask.

  • The Hebrew and Greek behind it

    Tap a highlighted word to see the original, how to say it, and what it means, checked against the original-language texts.

  • Every page leads to Jesus

    Watch promises made in Genesis kept in Jesus. Each line lights up on your map as you read.

  • Better together

    Read on your own, or start a Bible study with friends, family or your church. Answers stay sealed until you meet, then appear together.

  1. 1

    Start your free week

    Sign up in a minute with your email.

  2. 2

    Read a few minutes a day

    Each chapter opens itself up as you go. Tap what you're curious about.

  3. 3

    Bring your people, if you like

    Send one link. Everyone reads the same chapter, then meets to talk.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person

Questions like this, in every chapter

The best way to learn the Bible. For you. For everyone.

There's a seat for you at the table.

Start your free week

First week free, then $10 a month per person · Log in

Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, which is in the public domain. Every answer cites the verses it rests on. What we believe · All Bible questions