With whom the LORD had made a covenant, and charged them, saying, Ye shall not fear other gods, nor bow yourselves to them, nor serve them, nor sacrifice to them:
God had made a covenant with them and commanded them, saying, 'You must not fear other gods, or bow down to them, or serve them, or offer sacrifices to them.'
God is reminding His people that their covenant with Him means they should worship only Him and not bow down to any other gods.
📚 Historical Context
This verse refers to God's covenant with the Israelites, likely made at Mount Sinai when He gave them the Ten Commandments. At this time in 2 Kings 17, the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria because they had broken this covenant by worshiping foreign gods. The chapter explains how the Israelites' unfaithfulness to their exclusive relationship with God led to their exile and defeat.
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