2 Kings 16:3

“But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel. etc.] Worshipping the calves as they did; which, as it was contrary to the religious sentiments in which he was educated, so against his political interest, which was the only, or at least the principal thing, which swayed with the kings of Israel to continue that idolatry: yea, and made his son to pass through the fire; between two fires to Molech, by way of lustration; which might be true of Hezekiah his son, and others of his sons, for he had more he burnt with fire, as appears from (<142803>2 Chronicles 28:3), both ways were used in that sort of idolatry, (see Gill on “<031821>Leviticus 18:21”), according to the abominations of the…”

“walked in the way of the kings of Israel--This is descriptive of the early part of his reign, when, like the kings of Israel, he patronized the symbolic worship of God by images but he gradually went farther into gross idolatry (Ch2 28:2). made his son to pass through the fire-- (Kg2 23:10). The hands of the idol Moloch being red hot, the children were passed through between them, which was considered a form of lustration. There is reason to believe that, in certain circumstances, the children were burnt to death (Psa 106:37). This was strongly prohibited in the law (Lev 18:21; Lev 20:2-5; Deu 18:10), although there is no evidence that it was practised in Israel till the time of Ahaz.”

“Ahaz was the worst of all the kings of Judah. He imitated the worst of the Israelite kings - Ahab and Ahaziah - by a re-introduction of the Baal worship, which had been rooted out of Israel by Jehu and out of Judah by Jehoiada. And made Iris son to pass through the fire - i. e. Ahaz adopted the Moloch worship of the Ammonites and Moabites 2 Kings 3:27; Micah 6:7, and sacrificed at least one son, probably his firstborn, according to the horrid rites of those nations, and the Canaanite tribes Deuteronomy 12:31; Psalms 106:37-38. Hereto, apparently, the Jews had been guiltless of this abomination. They had been warned against it by Moses (marginal reference; Deuteronomy 18:10); and if (as some…”

“Pass - By way of oblation, so as to be consumed for a burnt - offering, which was the practice of Heathens, and of some Israelites, in imitation of them. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 16:5”

“he walked: Kg2 8:18; Kg1 12:28-30, Kg1 16:31-33, Kg1 21:25, Kg1 21:26, Kg1 22:52, Kg1 22:53; Ch2 22:3, Ch2 28:2-4 made his son: Kg2 17:17, Kg2 23:10; Lev 18:21, Lev 20:2; Deu 12:31, Deu 18:10; Ch2 33:6; Psa 106:37; Psa 106:38; Jer 32:35; Eze 16:21, Eze 20:26, Eze 20:31 according: Kg2 21:2, Kg2 21:11; Deu 12:31; Kg1 14:24; Ch2 33:2; Psa 106:35; Eze 16:47 4 Kings (2 Kings) 16:4”