He turned their heart to hate his people - God turned their heart. That is, He so ordered things that they became the enemies of his people, and made it necessary that they should be removed into another land. It is not said that God did this by his direct “power;” or that he “compelled” them to hate his people; or that he in any way interfered with their “will;” or that he regarded this “as a good” in itself; or that he “approved” of it: but this is said in accordance with the usual representations in the Bible, where God is spoken of as having all things under his control, and where it is constantly affirmed that nothing takes place without his own proper agency and government in the matter. Nothing - not even the human will - free as it is - is independent of God; and not even the worst passions of men are “outside of his plan,” or independent in such a sense that he does not afford the opportunity for their development and display. Compare the notes at Isaiah 6:10; Isaiah 10:5-7, Isaiah 10:15.
To deal subtilly - In a fraudulent, or deceitful manner. See Exodus 1:10.