* They feared.
  41  1Ki 18:21  Ho 10:2  Zep 1:5  Mt 6:24  Lu 16:13 
 * whom they carried, etc.  or, who carried them away from
   thence.
   The new inhabitants of the land imitated the idolatrous
   Israelites, by associating their idols with Jehovah, as the
   objects of worship.  The remainder, however, of the verses
   seem to relate to the Israelites after they were carried
   captive.  They still persevered in idolatry and disobedience;
   and not being purified, were left to be consumed in the
   furnace.  It is said that the Israelites "did not fear the
   Lord," yet the heathens, who followed their example, are said
   "to have feared the Lord."  The Israelites did not so much as
   fear the wrath of Almighty God; but, on the other hand, the
   poor pagans feared the power of his wrath, and to avert it
   paid some ignorant worship, according to the wretched
   instructions given them.  As this was an external
   acknowledgement of his power and Godhead, and a homage paid to
   him,he was pleased in consequence to withdraw his judgements
   from them.--SCOTT