Matthew Poole and continuators on Isaiah 57:9

9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment , and didst encrease thy perfumes , and didst send thy messengers far off , and didst debase thy self even unto hell .

Either by thy self, or, by thy messengers, as it follows. Or, thou didst look, to wit, earnestly, with expectation and vehement affection.

Either to Moloch, which was as it were the King or chief of their Idols, and which signifies a King. Or, to the great King of Assyria, called the King by way of eminency, to whom the Israelites in the days of Isaiah were very prone to seek, and trust, and send presents. Although the word, King, may be here taken collectively for the Kings of Assyria or Egypt, or any other King, from whom they desired or expected help in their straits. And so the Prophet passeth here from their Idolatry to another sin, even to their carnal confidence in Heathen Princes, for which they are oft severely reproved; although these two sins were commonly joined together, and they easily received Idolatry from those Kings whose help they desired.

With pretious Ointments, and particularly with balm, which was of great price, and was a commodity peculiar to those parts, and was sometimes sent as a present. See Gen▪ 43. 11. Ier. 8. 22. & 46. 11.

Didst send great quantities thereof to them to procure their aid.

Into Assyria, which was far from Iudaea.

Thou wast willing to submit to the basest terms to procure their aid.

Marginal references: Or, thou respectedst the King.; Ch. 30. 6. Ezek. 16. 33. & 23. 16.