As did the heathen; not only to the Lord, which was practised and tolerated sometimes in the kingdom of Judah; but also to the idols or Baals of the heathen.
Whom the Lord carried away before them for the same sins; by whose example they should have taken warning.
To provoke the Lord to anger, i.e. in despite and contempt of God, and his authority and command, as the next verse shows.