2 Kings 23:9 - Exposition

Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem. Though Josiah recalled to Jerusalem the Levitical priests who had recently been attached to the various high places, yet he did not attach them to the temple, or assign them any part in its services. Their participation in a semi-idolatrous service had disqualified them for the temple ministrations. But they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren. They were allowed, i.e; their maintenance out of the priestly revenues, as were priests disqualified by a personal blemish (Le 2 Kings 21:21 , 2 Kings 21:22 ). Practically they lived on the altar gifts intended for the priests (Le 2 Kings 6:9 , 2 Kings 6:10 , 2 Kings 6:22 ), in which it was unlawful to mix leaven.