Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Kings 18:4

4 ¶ He removed the high places , and brake the † images, and cut down the groves, and brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made : for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it , and he called it Nehushtan .

i. e. The most of them, or such as the people most frequented: for all were not taken away, Chap. 23. 13, 14. And this he attempted to do, notwithstanding the peoples great and constant Affection to them; partly, because he had more Zeal and Courage than his Predecessors: and partly, because the Dreadful Judgments of God upon the Kingdom of Israel for their Superstition and Idolatry, had made the People of Iudah more pliable to the Commands of God, and of their good King.

By God's Command to be an Ordinance or mean for the conveyance of God's Blessing to the People: which therefore had been hitherto kept as a Memorial of God's Mercy; but being now commonly abused to Superstition, was destroyed.

Not doubtless as to a God, but onely as to an Instrument and token of God's Mercy, by and through which, their adoration was directed to God, and given to that onely for God's sake.

i. e. He said, This Serpent, howsoever formerly honoured, and used by God as a sign of his Grace, yet now it is nothing but a piece of Brass, which can do you neither good nor hurt; and therefore is no fit Object for your Worship.

Marginal references: 2 Chro. 31. [illegible: 1+ letters].; ‡ Heb. Sta[illegible: 1+ letters]es.; Numb. 21. 9.