they had sent unto the house of GOD, &c.: or, when Sherezer had sent (and Regem-melech and his men) to Bethel", &c. Beth-el had already been occupied by exiles returned from Babylon. See Ezra 2:28; Nehemiah 7:32; Nehemiah 11:31.
GOD. Hebrew. El. App-4.
Sherezer. Probably born in exile, as he bears an Assyrian name.
men. Hebrew, plural of 'enosh. App-14.
pray before the LORD. entreat Jehovah's favour by prayer (Exodus 32:11; 1 Kings 13:6; Jeremiah 26:19); or by sacrifice (1 Samuel 13:12).