Charles Ellicott Commentary 2 Kings 17:12

"and they served idols, whereof Jehovah had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing." — 2 Kings 17:12 (ASV)

For they served idols. —Rather, and they served the dunglings; a term of contempt used in 1 Kings 15:19 and Deuteronomy 29:16 (see the note on the latter).