John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And they shall answer , etc.] Who were left in the land when others were carried captive, as were some by Nebuchadnezzar, and who were capable of making the following answer: because they forsook the Lord ; the worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum: who brought forth their fathers out of the land Egypt ; which is observed as an aggravation of their sin: and have taken hold upon other gods : the gods of the people, as the Targum; of the Gentiles, who knew not the true God: and have worshipped them, and served them : even idols of gold and silver, wood and stone; an instance of judicial blindness they were left unto, who had been favoured with a revelation from God: therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil ; their idolatry was the cause of it, than which nothing is more provoking to God.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lor as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
Original Hebrew ואמרו559 על5921 אשׁר834 עזבו5800 את853 יהוה3068 אלהיהם430 אשׁר834 הוציא3318 את853 אבתם1 מארץ776 מצרים4714 ויחזקו2388 באלהים430 אחרים312 וישׁתחו7812 להם ויעבדם5647 על5921 כן3651 הביא935 יהוה3068 עליהם5921 את853 כל3605 הרעה7451 הזאת׃2063
