And [one] of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the high priest, [was] son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me.
Ver. 28. And one of the sons of Joiada] His grandson Manasses, brother to Jaddua the high priest, a vile apostate, and first author of that famous schism and deadly feud between the Samaritans and Jews, John 4:20 (Joseph. lib. xi.).
Was son-in-law to Sanballat] Who, to keep him to his wife, built a fair temple on Mount Gerizim, hard by the city of Sychem, and made Manasses chief priest thereof.
Therefore I chased him from me] I caused him to be excommunicated, and banished from amongst us.
Remember them, O my God] For evil, as me for good, Nehemiah 13:31, and in both remember the relation that is between thee and my soul. Woe be to those whom God's people do thus turn over to him to be punished.
Because they have defiled the priesthood] Corruptio optimi pessima: as sweetest wine makes the sourest vinegar. A wicked priest is the worst creature upon earth.
And the covenant, &c.] See Trapp on " Mal 2:4 "