דברי הימים ב, פרק כ״ג, פסוק י״ז

A powerful wave of popular action sweeps through Jerusalem as the masses set out to completely uproot idol worship from the city. Their primary target is the temple of Baal located right within the city limits. The presence of such a sanctuary in Jerusalem likely stemmed from a climate of religious tolerance during that era. Alternatively, it may have been a direct initiative of Athaliah, who came from a family of devoted Baal worshippers and built the structure herself [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

The crowds storm the temple and tear it down to its very foundations, forcefully smashing the building to pieces [מצודת ציון, ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The destruction is absolute. Along with the physical structure, the people systematically shatter the altars and all the carved shapes and figures used in the idol worship [מצודת ציון].

This total eradication of the foreign cult reaches its peak with the capture of Mattan, the priest of Baal [מצודת ציון]. In a deeply symbolic final act, he is put to death right in front of his own altars [ביאור שטיינזלץ].