17:24 king of Assyria. This king was most likely Sargon II. As the Assyrians deported people from Israel, they imported people from other countries. This policy was intended to ensure that the defeated nation would not reassert itself. Assyrian records attest that later Assyrian kings brought more foreign immigrants to Samaria.

Babylon, Cuthah. At this point Babylon was under Assyrian control. Cuthah was about eight miles northeast of Babylon.

Avva, Hamath, and Sepharvaim. Avva or “Ivvah” and Sepharvaim were probably in Syria (18:34; 19:13). Hamath was on the Orontes River (cf. 14:25 note).

Samaria. After its fall to the Assyrians, the region of the former northern kingdom of Israel is usually called “Samaria” (1 Kin. 16:24 note).