2 Kings 17:21 - Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

They made Jeroboam king Which action is here ascribed to the people, because they would not tarry till God, by his providence, had invested Jeroboam with the kingdom which he had promised him, but rashly and rebelliously rose up against the house of David, to which they were under such great obligations, and set him upon the throne without God's leave or advice. Jeroboam drave, &c. He not only dissuaded, but kept them by force from God's worship at Jerusalem, the only place appointed for it. And made them sin a great sin So the worship of the calves is called, in opposition to that idle conceit of the Israelites, who esteemed it a small sin, especially when they were forced to it by severe penalties; which yet he shows did not excuse it from being a sin, and a great sin too.