For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which (o) smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may (p) help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
(o) As he falsely supposed.
(p) Thus the wicked measure God's favour by prosperity and adversity: for if idolaters prosper, they make their idols gods, not considering that God often punishes them whom he loves and gives his enemies good success for a time whom afterward he will destroy.