Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 15:3

3 Now for a long season Israel hath been without the true God, and without a teaching priest, and without law .

Heb. For many days have been to Israel without the true God, &c. i. e. They have long lived without the sound Knowledge and Worship of the True God. The Prophet confirms his foregoing Exhortation and the Threatning annexed to it, that if they forsook God he would forsake him, from the usual manner of Gods dealing with Israel formerly, and therefore in the same case they may expect the same usage Israel here mentioned and [illegible: 1+ letters] ed as an Example is here understood either 1. Specially of the Ten Tribes, distinguished by that name from the Kingdom of Judah; whose Condition had been since Jeroboams Revolt, and now w[illegible: 1+ letters]s such in some measure, as is here described, they having been, [illegible: 1 word] still being, without God and his True Worship, and [illegible: 1 word] exposed to many Vexations, and Wars, and Miseries. But the[illegible: 1+ letters]e h[illegible: 1+ letters]d not as yet turned unto God or sought him, nor was God yet found of them, as is said of this Israel, v. 4. Nor had they as yet been exercised with those grievous and continual Vexations, and Wars, and mutual Destructions of which he here speaks, v. 5, 6. and which in succeeding times they felt. For except that one Blow which they had from A[illegible: 1+ letters]ijah, ch. 13. we read of none other great Miseries which befel them Or rather, 2. Generally of the whole [illegible: 1 word] of Israel in former times, and especially in the times of the Judges, to which all that follows suits very well: For then many times they were, though not wholly and universally, yet in a very great measure and for the generality of them, without God, and his Law, and Teaching Priests, as plainly [illegible: 1 word] from dive[illegible: 1+ letters]s Passages in the Book of the Judges; and then indeed they were brought to all the Exige[illegible: 1+ letters]cies and Calamities [illegible: 1 word] following; then they had grievous Wars both Foreign and [illegible: 1 word]; and then they did sometimes turn to the Lord a[illegible: 1+ letters]d [illegible: 1 word] him and he was found of them, and did raise up Judges and Saviours to them; of which see Iudg. 2. at large, & Iudg. 3. 9, 15. & 10. 10, &c.

Marginal references: Ch. 12. 1.