For he sacrificed unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him: and he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria help them, [therefore] will I sacrifice to them, that they may help me. But they were the ruin of him, and of all Israel.
Ver. 23. Unto the gods of Damascus, which smote him.] So he thought, at least - for they could not smite him Jeremiah 10:5 1Co 8:4 - in the same sense as Christ is said to have bought reprobates, 2Pe 2:1 putative scilicet.
And he said, Because the gods of the kings of Syria.] That he might not seem to be mad without reason, he had somewhat to say for this absurd practice of his.
Therefore I will sacrifice.] God had helped him against "the two tails of those smoking firebrands," Isa 7:4 yet he could not find in his heart to sacrifice to him.
But they were the ruin of him.] So had the gods of Edom been of Amaziah, 2Ch 25:14-15 for a warning to him. So were their senseless idolatries the ruin of the Roman and Greek empires.