And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria,.... The ten tribes of Israel, among whom, in Ahab's time there were many false prophets, Baal's prophets, even four hundred and fifty; whose "folly" the Lord had formerly taken notice of; even their idolatry and impiety for giving into which the ten tribes had been carried captive years ago.
The word here used signifies that which is "unsavoury": something very unsavoury in their doctrines, and in their lives; they were as salt which has lost its savour and is good for nothing; to which bad ministers are compared, Mt 5:13.
These words are to be read in connection with the following, and may be rendered, "indeed I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria"; of Israel in times past; "but I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem" that which is far worse; and therefore they must not expect to escape; or, as the Syriac version, "as I have seen in the prophets of Samaria--so have I seen in the prophets of Jerusalem", &c.
so that here is a comparison run between them; and the latter are represented as worse than the former, though they were bad enough; as follows: forthey prophesied in Baal; in the name of Baal, whose prophets they were; so the Targum,"they prophesied in the name of idols:''or, "they prophesied by Baal", as the Septuagint version ; they pretended to be inspired by him, and to receive their prophecies from him: or, "they prophesied concerning Baal"; what he would do for them, for those that worshipped him.
The Arabic version is, "they prophesied in my name to Baal"; which seems to be foreign from the sense of the place:and caused my people Israel to err; by following their directions and instructions, and worshipping Baal.
hlpt "insulsitatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt; "intulsa", Pagninus; "insulsam rem", Munster, Vatablus; "insulsum", Montanus, Cocceius. So Schmidt. lebb, dia ton baal, Sept. "per Baalem", Schmidt.