But he himself turned back from the stone idols that were by Gilgal, and said, “I have a secret message for you, O king.” The king said, “Keep silence!” All who stood by him left him.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 19. Idols. Hebrew pesilim. Some take these to be only heaps of stones. Prot. “quarries.” Bible.—But the Septuagint and so forth represent them as “carved” idols. The same expression is used Exodus 20:4, and so forth The Moabites had probably placed idols here, to profane that sacred place, which was resorted to out of devotion by the Israelites. Osee 4:14. Amos 4:5. Here also the prophets inform us that the ten tribes adored and consulted idols; resembling perhaps that of Michas, Calmet. 17:4.—Silence to Aod, ( Calmet.) that none of the people might be able to divulge the secret. Hebrew “be thou silent.” Menochius.