And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to focus on the "making of idols," but the verse highlights they abandoned God's commands first. That deliberate rejection of His guidance is the fertile ground where idolatry then took root and grew. This shows us that straying from God's revealed will opens the door to all sorts of harmful detours.
And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage describes the dire consequences of the northern kingdom of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, immediately following the Assyrian king's deportation of its people. The text highlights their outright rejection of God's commands, leading them to worship idols and false gods in their spiritual and national downfall. This act seals their fate, paving the way for the complete destruction and assimilation of Israel by the Assyrians, a devastating outcome of their disobedience.
Have you ever felt like you've drifted from something important? The people of Israel did more than drift; they deliberately turned their backs on God's clear commands.
The verse paints a stark picture of rebellion. It's not just about one mistake, but a wholesale rejection:
A Complete Rejection
They "abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God." This wasn't a minor slip-up; it was a conscious decision to disregard everything God had instructed.
Idolatry's Grip
Their abandonment led them to create and worship idols: 'metal images of two calves,' an 'Asherah,' and 'all the host of heaven.' This reveals how quickly a vacuum left by God can be filled with worthless substitutes.
Serving False Masters
'Served Baal' shows the active commitment they gave to these false gods. They weren't just passively ignoring God; they were actively engaging in the worship of other deities.
Why would people who knew God turn to something else? Sometimes, the 'easier' or more familiar path of false worship becomes incredibly tempting.
This verse highlights the seductive nature of idolatry, especially when it offers perceived benefits or aligns with cultural norms.
Tangible Gods
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The creation of 'metal images of two calves' and an 'Asherah' speaks to the desire for visible, tangible representations of divinity. These idols could be controlled, manipulated, and were often associated with fertility or power that seemed more immediate than the unseen God.
Cosmic Powers
Worshipping 'all the host of heaven' points to an attempt to appease or gain favor from celestial forces – the sun, moon, and stars. This was common in surrounding cultures and offered a sense of cosmic security or power.
The Cost of Compromise
Serving Baal, a prominent Canaanite deity often associated with storms and fertility, meant adopting the religious practices of the land. This compromise, however, meant abandoning the unique covenant relationship Israel had with the LORD.
Understand the original words
azab · Hebrew Verb
A covenantal term describing the willful turning away from God’s revealed laws and covenant obligations. It implies a conscious act of forsaking or leaving behind that which was previously held.
mitsvah · Hebrew Noun
Divine instructions or laws given by God to His people to govern their life, worship, and relationship with Him. Breaking them is synonymous with sin and rebellion against His authority.
massakah · Hebrew Noun
An object of worship made of cast or molten metal; in biblical usage, it refers to idols that represent false gods, strictly forbidden by the second commandment.
Asherah · Hebrew Noun
A Canaanite fertility goddess often represented by a wooden pole or tree symbol; her worship was characterized by sexual immorality and was a primary snare for Israel.
tsaba · Hebrew Noun
The sun, moon, stars, and planets. Worshiping them as deities was considered high rebellion against the Creator who made the celestial bodies.
Baal · Hebrew Noun
The chief Canaanite deity of storm and fertility. His worship was deeply associated with idolatry and moral corruption, frequently appearing as the antithesis of Yahweh-worship in the Old Testament.
This verse captures the core reason for Israel's destruction: a deep-seated, persistent turning away from God's commands towards various forms of idolatry, including the calf cult and worship of Canaanite deities, right up to the very end of the Northern Kingdom.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
After King Solomon's death, the united kingdom of Israel splits into two: the Northern Kingdom (Israel) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah). This division often led to religious instability and syncretism, especially in the North.
9th century BC
Reign of Omri and Ahab
This era saw significant Baal worship, influenced by King Ahab's marriage to Jezebel of Sidon. Elijah the prophet powerfully confronted this idolatry.
Late 9th century BC
Elijah's Confrontation
The prophet Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, demonstrating the power of the LORD over other gods. Despite this victory, widespread idolatry continued.
c. 732 BC
Assyrian Advance
King Tiglath-Pileser III of Assyria begins conquering territories around Israel and Syria, putting increasing pressure on the Northern Kingdom.
732 BC
First Deportations from Israel
Tiglath-Pileser III deports populations from Galilee and Gilead in the Northern Kingdom. This weakened the kingdom and served as a warning.
725-722 BC— this verse
Rebellion and Siege of Samaria
King Hoshea of Israel rebels against Assyrian rule, refusing to pay tribute. This leads to a three-year siege of the capital city, Samaria.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Exile
The Neo-Assyrian Empire under Shalmaneser V and Sargon II conquers Samaria, destroying the Northern Kingdom of Israel and exiling its people. This is the direct context of 2 Kings 17.
This passage lays out the first two commandments, directly prohibiting the worship of other gods and the making of idols, which is precisely what the Israelites in 2 Kings are condemned for doing.
Deuteronomy 8:11-14This warns the Israelites against forgetting the Lord their God when they become prosperous and comfortable, a warning that tragically echoes in their abandonment of God's commands for idolatry in 2 Kings.
Jeremiah 2:11-13Jeremiah powerfully condemns Israel for forsaking the living God, their 'fountain of living waters,' for worthless idols, highlighting the spiritual adultery at the heart of the actions described in 2 Kings 17.
Psalm 106:35-39This Psalm recounts Israel's history of mixing with the nations and learning their ways, leading to serving their idols and shedding innocent blood, a direct parallel to the syncretism and idolatry leading to their downfall in 2 Kings.
It's easy to focus on the "making of idols," but the verse highlights they abandoned God's commands first. That deliberate rejection of His guidance is the fertile ground where idolatry then took root and grew. This shows us that straying from God's revealed will opens the door to all sorts of harmful detours.
This passage describes the dire consequences of the northern kingdom of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, immediately following the Assyrian king's deportation of its people. The text highlights their outright rejection of God's commands, leading them to worship idols and false gods in their spiritual and national downfall. This act seals their fate, paving the way for the complete destruction and assimilation of Israel by the Assyrians, a devastating outcome of their disobedience.
This passage describes the dire consequences of the northern kingdom of Israel's persistent rebellion against God, immediately following the Assyrian king's deportation of its people. The text highlights their outright rejection of God's commands, leading them to worship idols and false gods in their spiritual and national downfall. This act seals their fate, paving the way for the complete destruction and assimilation of Israel by the Assyrians, a devastating outcome of their disobedience.
"And they abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made for themselves metal images of two calves; and they made an Asherah and worshiped all the host of heaven and served Baal." — It's easy to focus on the "making of idols," but the verse highlights they abandoned God's commands first. That deliberate rejection of His guidance is the fertile ground where idolatry then took r…
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Last reviewed October 2026