And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
With their mattocks - or, 'in their deserts,' so that the verse will stand thus: 'And so did (namely, break the altars, and burn the bones of priests) he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, in their deserted heights around.' The reader is apt to be surprised on finding that Josiah, whose hereditary possessions were confined to the kingdom of Judah, exercised as much authority among the tribes of Ephraim, Manasseh, Simeon, and others, as far as Naphtali, as he did within his own dominions; and therefore it is necessary to observe, that after the destruction of Samaria by Shalmanezer, the remnant that continued on the mountains of Israel maintained a close contact with Judah, and looked to the sovereigns of that kingdom as their natural protectors. Those kings acquired great influence over them, which Josiah exercised in removing every vestige of idolatry from the land. He could not have done this without the acquiescence of the people in the propriety of his proceeding, conscious that it was conformable to their ancient laws and institutions. The Assyrian kings, who were now masters of the country, might have been displeased at the liberties Josiah took beyond his own territories. But either they were not informed of his doings, or they did not trouble themselves about his religious proceedings, relating, as they would think, to the god of the land, especially as he did not attempt to seize upon any place, or to disturb the allegiance of the people.