30. Many years. God was patient with the northern kingdom for more than two centuries, during which time 20 godless kings occupied the throne of Israel. He was equally forbearing with the southern kingdom, which He permitted to continue nearly 350 years. Many of Judah’s 20 kings grieved Him with their idolatry, and with crimes beyond measure.
Thy prophets. Compare 2 Kings 17:13, where almost the same words are used as in this passage (see also 2 Chron. 36:15, 16). There was almost a continuous succession of prophets from the time of Solomon to the Babylonian captivity, and beyond.
Besides prophets whose writings have come down to us and whose names are thus familiar to every reader of the Bible, there were such prophets as Ahijah the Shilonite, Iddo the seer, Shemaiah the prophet, Hanani, Jehu the son of Hanani, Elijah, Elisha, Micaiah the son of Imlah, Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, Huldah, and a number of nameless men of God who may also be classified as prophets. The Jews had ignored the exhortations constantly addressed to them by messengers of God.
Therefore God delivered His people into the hands of the heathen. This began with the invasion of the Assyrians, who eventually destroyed the kingdom of Israel, and culminated in the subjection of Judah by the Chaldeans. More recently the Samaritans and other surrounding nations had attacked the remnant of Israel.