Nevertheless, the high places were not taken away; the people continued to sacrifice and make offerings on the high places.
The general account here given of Joash is, 1. That he reigned forty years. As he began his reign when he was very young, he might, in the course of nature, have continued much longer, for he was cut off when he was but forty-seven years old, Kg2 12:1. 2. That he did that which was right as long as Jehoiada lived to instruct him, Kg2 12:2.
Commenting on 2 Kings 12:1-3
But the high places were not taken away,.... Used before the temple was built, or set up in Rehoboam's time, Kg1 14:23 contrary to the law of God, which required that sacrifices should only be offered in the place the Lord chose to dwell in, Deu 12:4 the people still sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places; as they had done in the times...
But the high places were not taken away--The popular fondness for the private and disorderly rites performed in the groves and recesses of hills was so inveterate that even the most powerful monarchs had been unable to accomplish their suppression; no wonder that in the early reign of a young king, and after the gross irregularities that had been allowed during the maladministration of Athaliah...