Joe: Alright, so we're talking about 2 Kings 17 now. Let me get this straight, this is the chapter where the Israelites are exiled to Assyria?

Bible Expert: That's right, Joe. 2 Kings 17 tells the story of how the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrian Empire and how the people were exiled to Assyria as a result.

Joe: That's crazy! So why did this happen?

Bible Expert: Well, it was because the people of Israel had turned away from God and had started worshipping false idols. God had been patient with them for a long time, but eventually He had to punish them for their disobedience.

Joe: Wow. That's pretty intense. So what did God do to the people of Israel?

Bible Expert: He used the Assyrian Empire to conquer the northern kingdom of Israel and exiled the people to Assyria.

Joe: Wow, that's really harsh. What happened to the people after they were exiled?

Bible Expert: Well, the people of Israel were scattered throughout the Assyrian Empire and they were no longer able to practice their own religion. They were also forced to adopt the customs and language of the Assyrians.

Joe: Wow, that's really sad. Was there any hope for the people of Israel?

Bible Expert: Yes, there was. Even though the people were exiled, God promised that He would restore them one day and bring them back to their land. And that's exactly what happened eventually.