John Gill Commentary Jeremiah 23:13

"And I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria; they prophesied by Baal, and caused my people Israel to err." — Jeremiah 23:13 (ASV)

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. The ten tribes had been carried captive years ago for giving into their idolatry and impiety. The word ^F18 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, (Matthew 5:13).

These words are to be read in connection with the following. They may be rendered, "indeed I have seen folly in the prophets of Samaria" (referring to Israel in times past), "but I have seen in the prophets of Jerusalem" ^F19 that which is far worse; and therefore they must not expect to escape. Alternatively, as the Syriac version has it, "as I have seen in the prophets of Samaria--so have I seen in the prophets of Jerusalem." Thus, a comparison is made between them, and the latter are represented as worse than the former, though they were bad enough, as follows:

for they 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 ^F20 ; 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

• F18: (hlpt) "insulsitatem", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Schmidt; "intulsa", Pagninus; "insulsam rem", Munster, Vatablus; "insulsum", Montanus, Cocceius.
• F19: So Schmidt.
• F20: (lebb) , (dia ton baal) , Sept. "per Baalem", Schmidt. So Junius & Tremellius, Piscator.