2 Chronicles 24:7

For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman,.... 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.

24:1-14 Joash is more zealous about the repair of the temple than Jehoiada 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 lies undone, if active men would put it forward.

2 Chronicles 24:7 . The sons of Athaliah, &c. — To wit, Ahaziah and his brethren, before they were carried away captive, ( 2 Chronicles 21:17 ,) who did this by her instigation, as this phrase implies; had broken up the house of God — Had both broken up the treasures, and defaced the house itself. And the dedicated things did they bestow upon Baalim — Gave them, either to adorn the temples of those false gods, or to promote their worship.

7 . the sons of Athaliah ] To be understood figuratively, “the adherents of Athaliah.” So “a son of the apothecaries” ( Nehemiah 3:8 ; cp. A.V. with R.V.) is “a member of the apothecaries’ guild” and “the sons of the prophets” ( 2 Kings 2:15 etc.) are “the adherents (or ‘scholars’) of the prophets.” So again in Psalm 137:8 Edom is called “daughter of Babylon” as having attached herself to the Chaldeans at the destruction of Jerusalem. had broken up ] Rather, had broken into . all the dedicate things] Cp. 2 Chronicles 15:18 ; 1 Chronicles 18:10-11 . Probably gold, silver and brass. did they bestow upon Baalim ] Or, did they make into images of Baal . Cp. Hosea 2:8 , R.V. mg.

Verse 7. - The sons of Athaliah . This verse's testimony against Athaliah's sons explains 2 Chronicles 21:17 , and is explained and corroborated by it. That wicked woman ; Hebrew, הַמִּרְשַׁעַת ; fem. noun, derivative of רַשַׁע ; meaning strictly in the abstract, "the wickedness," equal to that incarnation of wickedness. All the dedicated things ; i.e. the holy vessels, treasure, and holy furniture of the house of the Lord, had they desecrated, and robbed' them thence to squander them on their various Baals ( 2 Chronicles 17:3 ). 2 Chronicles 24:7

(7) For the sons of Athaliah. —There is nothing corresponding to the statements of this verse in the parallel account. Literally, For Athaliah, the evildoer (or, who did wickedly, 2Chronicles 20:35 ), her sons had broken down ( Isaiah 5:5 ; Psalm 80:14 ) the house of God. Ahaziah and his elder brothers, and perhaps other relatives, may be intended. The young princes thus gratified the queen’s hatred of the exclusive cultus of Jehovah. (Comp. 2Chronicles 22:3-4 .) Perhaps some portions of the Temple buildings were demolished, in order to make room for the temple of Baal. (Comp. Notes on 2Kings 11:18 .) The dedicated things—i.e., the moneys given for the use of the sanctuary. Did they bestow upon Baalim.—Or, they made into the Baals, i.e., used them in making idolatrous images and symbols. (Comp. the same expression, Hosea 2:8 : “Her silver and gold, which they made into Baal;” comp. also Hosea 8:4.)