Whom did they make king?
Radak: They crowned Yaravam [ben Nevat], and did not ask Hashem. Even though Hashem said via Achiyah ha'Shiloni that he will be king, they did not ask Hashem when they crowned him, and Achiyah did not tell them to do so. He merely told Yaravam what he will have. Also, since they saw that he stopped them from ascending to Yerushalayim, and made the calves, they should have removed him from kingship. Achiyah stipulated ? his kingship is if he will do what is straight in Hashem's eyes! Also all Malchei Yisrael except for Yehu were not crowned via Hashem's word.
Malbim: The kings that they picked, they did so by themselves, and not via a Navi from Hashem's word.
What is the meaning of "Hesiru [v'Lo Yadati]"?
Rashi #1: They made Sarim (officers; Radak ? and leaders. This was without My consent. The officers made them stumble, and supported evildoers!)
Rashi #2: They removed this one from kingship, and crowned this one. The Mesores supports this. This is one of the words written with a Sin, and we pronounce and explain it as if there is a Samech.
Malbim: Later, they deposed their kings ? also this was against Hashem's will. This refers to two kings deposed for not serving the calves. (a) Shalum ben Yavesh 1 . Some supported him for this, and others opposed him, for they wanted to strengthen Avodah of the calves. They supported Menachem ben Gadi, who killed Shalum 2 . (b) Hoshe'a ben Elah. It says about him "va'Ya'as ha'Ra b'Einei Hashem Rak Lo k'Malchei Yisrael Asher Hayu Lefanav" (Melachim II, 17:2). He removed the guards that Yaravam stationed to stop people from ascending to Yerushalayim for the festivals (Seder Olam 22). Those who wanted to follow Chatas Yaravam, they opposed him, and informed on him to Melech Ashur, and he was incarcerated.
Malbim: It does not say about Shalum va'Ya'as ha'Ra b'Einei Hashem, like it says about all other Malchei Yisrael. Also Zimri, who ruled only seven days, it says "va'Yamas; Al Chatosav Asher Chata La'asos ha'Ra b'Einei Hashem Laleches b'Derech Yaravam" (Melachim I, 16:18-19). All the more so it should have said so about Shalum, who reigned a month! Rather, Shalum did not serve the calves.
Malbim: Menachem needed to give 1,000 Kikarim of silver to Melech Ashur to solidify his kingship (Melachim II, 15:19), for Shalum's supporters opposed Menachem.
What is the significance of using their silver and gold for Atzabim?
Radak: This is like it says at the beginning of the Sefer "v'Chesef Hirbeisi Lah v'Zahav Asu la'Ba'al" (2:10).
Malbim: When the kings supported Avodas ha'Agalim, the kings made idols from the royal treasury. Shalum ben Yavesh and Hoshe'a ben Elah did not support serving the calves and idols. When they ruled, the nation made idols from their own silver and gold.
Why does it say "Lema'an Yikares"?
Rashi: Because they had much gold, this caused their wealth to be cut off from them.
Radak #1: In order that their name be cut off and they will be exiled from their land.
Radak #2: Their silver and gold will be cut off from them, Midah k'Neged Midah. They used it for idolatry ? it will be cut off from them.
Sha'arei Teshuvah 1:45: Since making the idols caused their money to be come upon, the verse depicts that they made the idols in order to cut it off.
Malbim: When the kings did not support idolatry, the nation made idols in order to support the conspirators who desired idolatry, in order to cut off the king.
