priests] Of the seed of Aaron, but idolatrous, v. 9. out of the cities] Where they had exercised their idolatry. defiled] Put them to such base uses, and cast such filthy things into them, as idolaters thought them to be defiled. from Geba to Beer-sheba] From the north to the south-coast. Of these two cities, see the Notes on 1 Kings 15:22. and 1 Kings 3:3. high places of the gates] Which were publikely erected at the gates of cities. of Joshua] A man of great place in those days, who had caused high places to be by his own house: so as Josiah in his reformation spared none, no not the greatest.