Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 17:25

25 And so it was at the beginning of their dwelling there, that they feared not the LORD ; therefore the LORD sent lions among them, which slew some of them.

They did not acknowledg, nor worship God in any sort.

For this gross neglect, and contempt of God, which was contrary to the Principles and Practises of the Heathens, who used to worship the Gods of the Nations where they lived, and gave that honour to their false gods, which here they denied to the true. Hereby also God asserted his own right and soveraignty over that land, and made them to understand, that neither the Israelites were cast out, nor they brought into that land by their valour, or strength, but by God's Providence, who as he had cast the Israelites out for their neglect of God's service; so both could, and would in his due time, turn them out also, if they were guilty of the same sins.