2 Kings 17:9

And the children of Israel did secretly [those] things that [were] not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

And the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} did secretly {H2644} those things {H1697} that were not right against the LORD {H3068} their God {H430}, and they built {H1129} them high places {H1116} in all their cities {H5892}, from the tower {H4026} of the watchmen {H5341} to the fenced {H4013} city {H5892}.

The people of Isra'el secretly did things that were not right, according to ADONAI their God. They built high places for themselves wherever they lived, from the watchtower to the fortified city.

The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD their God that were not right. From watchtower to fortified city, they built high places in all their cities.

And the children of Israel did secretly things that were not right against Jehovah their God: and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fortified city;

Commentary

2 Kings 17:9 reveals the deep-seated spiritual rebellion that permeated the Northern Kingdom of Israel, ultimately leading to its downfall. This verse highlights the pervasive and insidious nature of their disobedience against the LORD, their God.

Context

This verse is set during a critical period in Israel's history, specifically concerning the Northern Kingdom (Israel, distinct from Judah). For centuries, since the division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign, the Northern Kingdom had consistently engaged in idolatry and strayed from the covenant God made with them. Their kings, starting with Jeroboam I, established alternative worship sites and introduced practices contrary to God's law, particularly the worship of golden calves in Dan and Bethel. By the time of 2 Kings 17, Israel was nearing its final judgment, facing the Assyrian threat. This verse underscores that their destruction was not arbitrary but a direct consequence of their persistent and widespread sin, particularly their abandonment of the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Key Themes

  • Pervasive Idolatry: The phrase "built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city" vividly illustrates the widespread nature of their false worship. "High places" (Hebrew: bamot) were sites of worship, often on elevated ground, which became associated with pagan deities and practices, directly contradicting God's command for centralized worship in Jerusalem. This was a direct violation of the first two commandments against having other gods before Him and making graven images.
  • Secret Sin and Deliberate Rebellion: The text states they "did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God." This suggests a conscious, deliberate turning away from God, perhaps attempting to hide their idolatry from the full light of divine scrutiny or human accountability. It speaks to a deep spiritual corruption that festered beneath the surface of society.
  • Covenant Disobedience: Their actions were "against the LORD their God," emphasizing that their sin was not merely a mistake but a direct affront to the God who had redeemed them from Egypt and made a covenant with them. Their persistent disobedience underscored their rejection of His authority and their opting for the practices of the surrounding nations.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city" is a merism, a figure of speech where two contrasting parts represent the whole. It signifies "everywhere" or "from the smallest, most isolated outpost to the largest, most fortified urban center." This powerfully conveys the totality and universality of Israel's idolatry throughout their land, leaving no corner untouched by their rebellion.

Practical Application

While ancient Israel's "high places" were physical structures, the principle of secret sin and pervasive idolatry remains relevant today. Modern "high places" can be anything we elevate above God in our lives—money, career, relationships, entertainment, or even self-righteousness. This verse serves as a sober reminder that:

  • God sees all: Even "secret" sins are known to God and have consequences.
  • Pervasive influence: Sin, if left unchecked, can spread throughout a community or even a nation, influencing every aspect of life.
  • The danger of compromise: Israel's syncretism—mixing worship of God with pagan practices—ultimately led them away from true worship. Believers are called to not conform to the world's patterns but to be transformed by renewing their minds.

The eventual judgment on Israel, detailed later in 2 Kings 17:18, serves as a powerful warning about the consequences of persistent disobedience and idolatry.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:8

    He smote the Philistines, [even] unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.

  • Deuteronomy 27:15

    Cursed [be] the man that maketh [any] graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth [it] in [a] secret [place]. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen.

  • Ezekiel 8:12

    Then said he unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen what the ancients of the house of Israel do in the dark, every man in the chambers of his imagery? for they say, The LORD seeth us not; the LORD hath forsaken the earth.

  • Job 31:27

    And my heart hath been secretly enticed, or my mouth hath kissed my hand:

  • Hosea 12:11

    [Is there] iniquity [in] Gilead? surely they are vanity: they sacrifice bullocks in Gilgal; yea, their altars [are] as heaps in the furrows of the fields.

  • Deuteronomy 13:6

    ¶ If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which [is] as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;
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