The priests of the high places, which worshipped the true God there. Came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, i.e. were not suffered to come thither to the exercise of their priestly function; as a just punishment for the corruption of God's worship, and the transgression of so plain and positive a law of God, Deuteronomy 12:11, which was much worse in them, who had more knowledge to discern God's mind therein, and more obligations to observe it, and to engage others to the observation of it. Compare Ezekiel 44:10. Of the unleavened bread, i.e. of the meat-offerings allotted to the priests, wherein there was to be no leaven, Leviticus 2:4,5,10,11; and consequently of other provisions belonging to the priests, which by a synecdoche are contained under this one kind. Thus their spiritual blemish puts them into the very same state which corporal blemishes brought them, Leviticus 21:17, &c. And thus he mitigates their punishment; he shuts them out from spiritual services, but allows them natural and necessary provisions.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 23:9
2 Kings 23:9
9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.