Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 17:34

34 Unto this day they do after the former manners: they fear not the LORD , neither do they after their statutes , or after their ordinances, or after the law and commandment which the LORD commanded the children of Jacob , whom he named Israel .

Either 1. the Samaritans, whose Religion he hath hitherto been describing, and to the description whereof he re [illegible: 1+ letters], ver. 41. So the following Verses are a digression, wherein he designs onely to take an occasion to compare them with the Israelites, and to aggravate the sins of the Israelites above theirs, which he doth, ver. 35, &c. and then returns to the former description, ver. 31. Or rather, 2. The Israelites, who are the principal Subjects of this whole Discourse; and of whom he unquestionably speaks, ver. 35. and thence to ver. 41. of whom also the last words of ver. 33. are to be understood; and from thence he takes an occasion to return to his main business, to relate, and aggravate the sins of Israel; and thereby to justifie his severe proceedings against them, to all the World. So the sense of the place is this; As the Israelites before their captivity, gave these Nations an ill Example, in serving the Lord, and Baal together; so, or after their former manner, they do unto this day, in the land of their captivity.

Though they pretended to fear, and serve both the Lord and Idols, yet in truth they did not, and do not fear or worship the Lord, but their own Calves, or other vain inventions: And God will not accept that mongrel and false Worship, which they pretend to give to the true God. Or, this may intimate, that the Israelites were worse than their Successors, because these feared the Lord, and Idols too; but they did quite cast off the fear and worship of God in their captivity, and wholly degenerated into Heathenish Idolatry.

i. e. God's Law delivered to their Fathers, and to them, as their Inheritance, Psal. 119. 111. This is alledged as an Evidence, that they did not fear the Lord, whatsoever they pretended, because they lived in the constant breach of his statutes.

i. e. Themselves: the Noun put for the Pronoun; which is usual among the Hebrews.

A Name, signifying his special interest in God, and power with him, which was given to him, not onely for himself, but for his Posterity also, whom God frequently honours with that Name. And by this great favour he aggravates their sin.

Marginal references: Gen. 32. 28. and 35. 10.