2 Kings 17:18

18 The LORD became so angry with Israel that he removed them from his sight. Only the tribe of Judah was left.

2 Kings 17:18 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 17:18

Therefore the Lord was very angry with Israel
Nothing being more provoking to him than idolatry:

and removed them out of his sight;
not out of the reach of his all seeing eye, but from all tokens of his favour, from the good land he had given them, and all the benefits and privileges of it:

there was none left but the tribe of Judah only;
and part of Benjamin, which was annexed to it, and incorporated in it, and made one kingdom, and maintained the same worship; and there was the lot of Simeon, which was within the tribe of Judah; and the priests and the Levites, and various individuals of the several tribes, that came and settled among them for the sake of worship; but no perfect, distinct, tribe besides.

2 Kings 17:18 In-Context

16 They abandoned all the commands of the LORD their God: They made two calves out of cast metal. They made a pole dedicated to the goddess Asherah. They prayed to the entire army of heaven. They worshiped Baal.

17 They sacrificed their sons and daughters by burning them alive. They practiced black magic and cast evil spells. They sold themselves by doing what the LORD considered evil, and they made him furious.

18 The LORD became so angry with Israel that he removed them from his sight. Only the tribe of Judah was left.

19 Even Judah didn't obey the commands of the LORD their God but lived according to Israel's customs.

20 So the LORD rejected all of Israel's descendants, made them suffer, handed them over to those who looted their property, and finally turned away from Israel.