When they first began to live there, the settlers did not fear the LORD, so he sent lions among them, and they killed a few of them.

So one of the priests whom they had carried away from Samaria went to live in Bethel to teach them how they ought to fear the LORD.

While they continued to fear the LORD, they served their own gods, following the custom of the nations whom they had carried away from there.

To this very day, they still follow the former customs: they don't fear the LORD and they don't live in accordance with the statutes, ordinances, laws, or commandments that the LORD had given to the descendants of Jacob whom he renamed Israel

"You are not to fear other gods, bow down to them, serve them, or sacrifice to them. Instead, it is to be the LORD, who brought you up from the land of Egypt, showing great power and public demonstrations of might, whom you are to fear, worship, and to whom you are to offer sacrifice.

Furthermore, you are to be careful to observe forever the statutes, ordinances, law, and the commandment that he wrote for you. And you are not to fear other gods.

You are not to forget the covenant that I've made with you, and you are not to fear other gods.

But you are to fear the LORD, and he will deliver you from the control of all your enemies."