When is "now", and what sins did they add?
Rashi: Beis Yehu, who saw all this, added sins.
Radak: "Now" is when Yaravam became king. Initially in the days of the Shoftim, they served Ba'alim; they returned to Hashem when a Shofet returned them for the good. Now they thought to totally uproot Avodas Elokim. No one will ascend to Yerushalayim to Avodas Beis ha'Mikdash; they will forever serve the calves. They said "Hine 1 Elohecha Yisrael Asher He'elucha me'Eretz Egypt" (Melachim I, 12:28).
Malbim: Now that they killed the king, their sin is worse. Until now, the king made the image; now they make it from their money.
The calves were not silver. They were golden!
Radak: They were from the Kesef that everyone gave to buy gold to make the calves.
Malbim: They made images other than the calves.
What is the meaning of "ki'Svunam"?
Rashi, Targum Yonasan: Like their forms. Radak - it should have said ki'Svunasam. Also "v'Tzuram Levalos She'ol" (Tehilim 49:15) should say v'Tzurasam 1 .
Radak: This is like Hisbonenu - they contemplated which form to make, and agreed to make a calf, like they made in the Midbar. We explained the reason in Melachim (refer to Melachim I, 12:28:2:1).
Malbim: Until now, the king made the image; now they make it according to their Tevunah (understanding).
Radak: The simple form of these words is Tevunah and Tzurah. Some say that they are Tevun and Tzur, without a Hei at the end.
What is the significance of "Ma'ase Charashim Kulah"?
Radak: The entire calf is a smith's act. There is no spirituality in it - "v'Chol Ru'ach Ein b'Kirbo" (Chabakuk 2:19).
Malbim: The verse depicts that the images have a mouth, and they speak to those who come to offer to them (refer to 13:2:6:3).
What do we learn from "Lahem Hem Omerim"?
Radak: Kohanim of the calf say to people who come to sacrifice, they say [what follows] for the sake of [the calves].
Malbim: Refer to 13:2:6:3.
What do we learn from "Zovechei Adam Agalim Yishakun"?
Rashi (from Sanhedrin 63b): The priests of Molech say to Yisrael 'one who slaughters his son to idolatry, he is worthy to kiss the calf, for he brought a dear gift 1 .
Radak: "Zovechei Adam" are people who come to sacrifice. They kiss the calves, so their Avodah will be complete; this was the custom - "v'Chol Peh Asher Lo Nashak Lo" (Melachim I, 19:18).
Malbim: The verse depicts that the images tell those who come to kiss and honor them 'those who slaughtered the king because he served the calves, how will they kiss the calves?! This proves that you killed a man without reason!'
Rashi: This fits the words of the verse better than Targum Yonasan (the false Nevi'im sacrifice to man's handiwork; they offer bulls to molten calves).
