Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 1. Manasses, whether king Osee consented, or the people of Juda followed the dictates of their zeal, neglecting the regular order of things, which forbids the subjects of one kingdom to interfere thus with those of another. Grotius. Saint Augustine q. in Deuteronomy 7. and 12.—If Ezechias gave orders, we may suppose that he was assured of his neighbour’s consent. Josias (Calmet. 34:6) followed his example after most part of Israel was led away captive, and the country obeyed the king of Assyria. Calmet.