All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and broke it down. They broke his altars and his images in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. The priest appointed officers over the LORD’s house.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 18. Altar. Many of the sacred ornaments belonging to the temple had been transported to the house of Baal, probably on Mount Olivet, where Solomon had formerly erected such buildings. 3 Kennicott. 11:5. 2 Chronicles 24:7. The reform of the state justly, therefore, began with the destruction of this profane and sacrilegious place.—Lord, according to the former regulations, which had been lately ill observed, to prevent any thing unclean from coming in. 2 Chronicles 23:19. Calmet.—Septuagint “the priest placed overseers (επισκοπονς) in the house of the Lord. Bible.