2 Kings 17:24-28

Hoshea Reigns over Israel

²⁴Then the king of Assyria brought people from Babylon, Cuthah, Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim, and settled them in the cities of Samaria in place of the sons of Israel. So they took possession of Samaria and lived in its cities. ²⁵And at the beginning of their living there, they did not fear the Lord; therefore the Lord sent lions among them that were killing some of them. ²⁶So they spoke to the king of Assyria, saying, “The nations whom you have taken into exile and settled in the cities of Samaria do not know the custom of the God of the land; so He has sent lions among them, and behold, they are killing them because they do not know the custom of the God of the land.”

²⁷Then the king of Assyria issued commands, saying, “Take one of the priests there whom you led into exile, and have him go and live there; and have him teach them the custom of the God of the land.” ²⁸So one of the priests whom they had led into exile from Samaria came and lived in Bethel, and taught them how they were to fear the Lord.