Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
The first step in the re-establishment of idolatry seems to have been the restoration of the high places where Yahweh was professedly worshipped II Kings 18:22, but with idolatrous rites I Kings 14:23. The next was to re-introduce the favorite idolatry of Israel, Baal-worship, which had formerly flourished in Judaea under Athaliah II Kings 11:18, and Ahaz II Chronicles 28:2. After this, Manasseh seems to have especially affected Sabaism, which had been previously unknown in Judaea (compare II Kings 17:16 and note).
Worshipped all the host of heaven - Sabaism, or pure star-worship, without images, and without astrological superstitions, included a reverence for the sun, the moon, the chief stars, and the twelve signs of the Zodiac (II Kings 23:5 note). The main worship was by altars, on which incense was burned Jeremiah 19:13. These altars were placed either upon the ground II Kings 21:5, or upon the house-tops II Kings 23:12; Zephaniah 1:5. The sun was worshipped with the face toward the east Ezekiel 8:16; chariots and horses were dedicated to him II Kings 23:11. The star-worship of the Jews has far more the character of an Arabian than an Assyrian or Chaldaean cult. It obtained its hold at a time when Assyria and Babylonia had but little communication with Judaea - i. e., during the reign of Manasseh. It crept in probably from the same quarter as the Molech worship, with which it is here (and in II Chronicles 33:3-6) conjoined.
Other commentary entries containing this verse:
2 Kings 12:3
2 Kings 17:16
2 Kings 18:4
2 Kings 22:17
2 Kings 23:4-20
Isaiah 17:8
Jeremiah 7:29-33
Acts 7:43
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