John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. Now when all this was finished , etc.] The temple cleansed, the priests and Levites sanctified, the passover and feast of unleavened bread observed, and other seven days of rejoicing kept: all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin ; which had been erected by Ahaz, ( 2 Chronicles 28:2,25) at or about this time also the brasen serpent was broke to pieces, ( 2 Kings 18:4), in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all ; which must be understood of such cities in those tribes that had been taken in former times by the kings of Judah from the kings of Israel; or such as were now in the hands of the Assyrians, who might not concern themselves in matters of religion; or this might be done at the connivance of Hoshea king of Israel, who had no regard to any other idolatry than the worship of the calves; and besides, having met with trouble from the Assyrians, and fearing more, might be willing to have his kingdom cleared of idolatry, in hope the divine displeasure would be removed: then all the children of Israel returned every man to his possession into their own cities ; and not till then, when all monuments of idolatry were removed.
Matthew Henry Commentary
- Hezekiah destroys idolatry.
--After the passover, the people of Israel applied with vigour to destroy the monuments of idolatry. Public ordinances should stir us u to cleanse our hearts, our houses, and shops, from the filth of sin and the idolatry of covetousness, and to excite others to do the same The after-improvement of solemn ordinances, is of the greates importance to personal, family, and public religion. When they ha tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance in the late passover, they wer free in maintaining the temple service. Those who enjoy the benefit of a settled ministry, will not grudge the expense of it. In all tha Hezekiah attempted in God's service, he was earnest and single in his aim and dependence, and was prospered accordingly. Whether we have fe or many talents intrusted to us, may we thus seek to improve them, an encourage others to do the same. What is undertaken with a sincer regard to the glory of God, will succeed to our own honour and comfor at last _________________________________________________
Original Hebrew וככלות3615 כל3605 זאת2063 יצאו3318 כל3605 ישׂראל3478 הנמצאים4672 לערי5892 יהודה3063 וישׁברו7665 המצבות4676 ויגדעו1438 האשׁרים842 וינתצו5422 את853 הבמות1116 ואת853 המזבחת4196 מכל3605 יהודה3063 ובנימן1144 ובאפרים669 ומנשׁה4519 עד5704 לכלה3615 וישׁובו7725 כל3605 בני1121 ישׂראל3478 אישׁ376 לאחזתו272 לעריהם׃5892
