God uses Assyrians to conquer, deport, and assimilate the kingdom of Israel. They are lost, never to reassemble as a nation. Overall, the kingdom of Judah is not markedly better than Israel. But God has made an unconditional covenant with David, promising the Messiah would come from David’s family in the tribe of Judah. After their Babylonian captivity, God promises they will return home and continue their part in his grand story.