18. Left the house of the Lord. Jehoiada had carried the nation with him in his religious revival, but for many the worship of Jehovah was only a form. Inwardly they were still devoted to idolatry.
Wrath came upon Judah. The Lord could not allow His blessing to rest upon His people when they apostatized from Him and worshiped idols. His protecting hand was therefore withdrawn, and judgments were allowed to overtake the nation.