‘ And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was broken down, and the Asherah-image was cut down which was by it, and the second bullock was offered on the altar that was built.'
When the townsfolk arose in the morning they found that the altar of Baal was broken down and that the Asherah-image had been cut down and had disappeared, and a new altar had been built on the rock under the oak in accordance with Israelite patterns, with the remains of a burnt offering on it.
But instead of this arousing their consciences as it should have done, they were filled with fury. The fact that they so quickly became aware of it and were so concerned, demonstrates that they were all using this particular sanctuary, even though strictly it belonged to Joash.