So the Israelites put away their statues of gods that were named Baal. They put away their statues of female gods that were named Ashtoreth. They served the Lord only.
Ephraim, why should I have anything more to do with idols? It is I who answer and watch over him. I am like a flourishing pine tree; your fruit comes from me.
But the Israelites said,“ We have sinned. Deal with us as you see fit; only rescue us today!”So they got rid of the foreign gods among them and worshiped the LORD, and he became weary of Israel’s misery.
For they have abandoned me; they have bowed down to Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, to Chemosh, the god of Moab, and to Milcom, the god of the Ammonites. They have not walked in my ways to do what is right in my sight and to carry out my statutes and my judgments as his father David did.
Assyria will not save us, we will not ride on horses, and we will no longer proclaim,‘ Our gods!’ to the work of our hands. For the fatherless receives compassion in you.”