And he made his son pass through the fire, and observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits and wizards: he wrought much wickedness in the sight of the LORD, to provoke [him] to anger.
Ver. 6. And he made his son to pass through the fire.] Yea, more than one of his children. 2Ch 21:6 See 2 Kings 16:3 .
And observed times.] Vacabat arti ariolandi et auguriis, he was both a soothsayer and a sorcerer. By the position of stars and flying of birds, he took upon him to divine and to foretell future contingents. a
And dealt with familiar spirits.] He ordained that there should always be somebody possessed with such a kind of spirit as should give answers instead of an oracle.
To provoke him to anger.] Deliberately, as it were, and on set purpose, to vex the Lord.
a Diod.