Destruction of the images and high places in both kingdoms. (Comp. 2 Kings 18:4.)
Now when all this was finished. — And when they had finished all this — that is, the business of the Passover.
All Israel that were present went out. — Their iconoclastic zeal had been thoroughly roused by the festival in which they had just taken part.
The images. — Maççebôth, “pillars.” (See Hosea 3:4, and 2 Chronicles 14:2.)
The groves. — The Ashçrîm. The sacred trunks, emblematic of physical fertility. (Comp. Hosea 4:13.)
In Ephraim also and Manasseh. — That is, in the territory of the northern kingdom, which was at this time in the last stage of political weakness, and rapidly drifting towards final ruin. The band of Jewish and Israelite zealots would not, therefore, be likely to encounter any serious opposition.
Until they had utterly destroyed. — ‘Adlĕkallçh (2 Chronicles 24:10). Literally, so far as to finishing.