John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 7. For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman , etc.] Not Ahaziah and his brethren, in the lifetime of Jehoram, but sons of Athaliah by another man, as Kimchi suggests: had broken up the house of God ; not that they had made ruptures in it, or broke down the walls of it, but had defaced it by taking off the gold and silver upon it: and also all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord did they bestow upon Baalim ; not strictly all, but a great many of them, as this word in many instances is used, as Kimchi observes, and with them furnished, beautified, and adorned the temple of Baal.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-14 - Joash is more zealous about the repair of the temple than Jehoiad himself. It is easier to build temples, than to be temples to God. But the repairing of places for public worship is a good work, which all should promote. And many a good work would be done that now lie undone, if active men would put it forward.
Original Hebrew כי3588 עתליהו6271 המרשׁעת4849 בניה1121 פרצו6555 את853 בית1004 האלהים430 וגם1571 כל3605 קדשׁי6944 בית1004 יהוה3068 עשׂו6213 לבעלים׃1168
