John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 17:17
And they caused their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire ,.... To Baal or Moloch, which were the same, and represented the sun, which, as the above writer observes, presides in the element of fire; this was done either by way of lustration, or so as to be burnt, see 2 Kings 16:3 . and used divination and enchantments : to get knowledge of what was to be done at present, or of things to come, neglecting the word of God and his prophets, and acting against the express law... read more
Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 17:7-23
Though the destruction of the kingdom of the ten tribes was but briefly related, it is in these verses largely commented upon by our historian, and the reasons of it assigned, not taken from the second causes?the weakness of Israel, their impolitic management, and the strength and growing greatness of the Assyrian monarch (these things are overlooked)--but only from the First Cause. Observe, 1. It was the Lord that removed Israel out of his sight; whoever were the instruments, he was the... read more