2 Kings 17:12

12 Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the LORD ’s specific and repeated warnings.

2 Kings 17:12 Meaning and Commentary

2 Kings 17:12

For they served idols
Baalim, as the Targum; dunghill gods, as the word signifies, as they are often called in Scripture; and Sterculius was one of the names of Saturn, an Heathen deity, which he had, as is supposed, by his finding out the method of making land fruitful with dung ^F9:

whereof the Lord said unto them, ye shall not do this thing;
see ( Exodus 20:3-5 Exodus 20:23 ) .

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FOOTNOTES:

F9 Vid. Macrob. l. 1. c. 7. Lactant. de fals. Relig. l. 1. c. 20.

2 Kings 17:12 In-Context

10 They set up sacred pillars and Asherah poles at the top of every hill and under every green tree.

11 They offered sacrifices on all the hilltops, just like the nations the LORD had driven from the land ahead of them. So the people of Israel had done many evil things, arousing the LORD ’s anger.

12 Yes, they worshiped idols, despite the LORD ’s specific and repeated warnings.

13 Again and again the LORD had sent his prophets and seers to warn both Israel and Judah: “Turn from all your evil ways. Obey my commands and decrees—the entire law that I commanded your ancestors to obey, and that I gave you through my servants the prophets.”

14 But the Israelites would not listen. They were as stubborn as their ancestors who had refused to believe in the LORD their God.

Footnotes

• [a]. The Hebrew term (literally round things ) probably alludes to dung.