2 Chronicles 29:3

_HE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS REIGN, IN THE FIRST MONTH, OPENED THE DOORS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD, AND REPAIRED THEM._ In the first year of his reign, in the first month - not the first month after his accession to the throne, but in Nisan, the first month of the sacred year, the season appointed for the celebration of the Passover. OPENED THE DOORS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD - which had been closed up by his father (2 Chronicles 28:24). AND REPAIRED THEM - or embellished them (cf. 2 Kings 18:16)....

1-19 When Hezekiah came to the crown, he applied at once to work reform. Those who begin with God, begin at the right end of their work, and it will prosper accordingly. Those that turn their backs upon God's ordinances, may truly be said to forsake God himself. There are still such neglects, if the word be not duly read and opened, for that was signified by the lighting the lamps, and also if prayers and praise be not offered up, for that was signified by the burning incense. Neglect of God's worship was the cause of the calamities they had lain under. The Lord alone can prepare the heart of man for vital godliness: when much good is done in a little time, the glory must be ascribed to him; and all who love him or the souls of men, will rejoice therein. Let those that do good work, learn to do it well....

By “the first month” is meant (compare 2 Chronicles 30:2) the month of Nisan, the first of the Jewish sacred year, not necessarily the first month of Hezekiah’s reign....

EXPOSITION The important reign of Hezekiah extends over this and the following three chapters, counting in all ninety-seven verses. The parallel, for the contents of the first three of these chapters, with their sixty-four verses, is limited to the small number of _six_ verses (2 Kings 18:1), which in its turn is very much fuller (2 Kings 18:7.) in the subject of our 2 Chronicles 32:1. The reason of this so various disposition of matter is by no means wrapt in mystery, our writer's main object being clearly best subserved in exhibiting the moral and religious aspects of the inner history of Judah, as distinguished from its foreign politics—so, for brevity's sake, to denominate them. T

HE IN THE FIRST YEAR OF HIS REIGN, IN THE FIRST MONTH,.... And, as appears from 2 Chronicles 29:17, on the first day of the month: OPENED THE DOORS OF THE HOUSE OF THE LORD; which his father had shut, 2 Chronicles 28:24 AND REPAIRED THEM; or strengthened them, the hinges, and other parts of them, being loosened and weakened; and ornamented them by overlaying them with gold, the plates of which very probably his father had taken off; for, certain it is, Hezekiah overlaid them, and very probably at this time, see 2 Kings 18:16....

FIRST MONTH That is, April....

6. REFORMATION UNDER HEZEKIAH CHAPTER 29 Hezekiah and the Beginning of the Revival _ 1. The record of his reign (2 Chronicles 29:1)_ 2. The purification of the temple (2 Chronicles 29:3) 3. The restored worship (2 Chronicles 29:20) 4. The great offerings (2 Chronicles 29:31) Compare Chapter s 29-32 with 2 Kings 18-20 and the annotations given there. The reformation which took place under the reign of the godly son of ungodly Ahaz was a thorough and remarkable one. He did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all his father David had don

THE FIRST YEAR. Yea, on the first day (2 Chronicles 29:17). Only three verses occupied with this in Kings, but three Chapter s in Chronicles. For the reason and object see App-56. OPENED THE DOORS. Compare 2 Chronicles 28:24. Note his zeal for the house of the LORD in his "Songs of the degrees" (Psalms 122:1; Psalms 122:9; Psalms 134:1; Psalms 134:2). See App-67....

14. THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH (29-32) TEXT 2 Chronicles 29:1. Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old; and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem: and his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah 2. And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done. 3. He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of Jehovah, and repaired them. 4. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east, 5. and said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites; now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of Jehovah, the God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place. 6. For our fathers have trespassed, and done that

THE REIGN OF HEZEKIAH This chapter describes a cleansing of the TEMPLE and a sacrifice for the sins of the people. This and the following 2 Chronicles 30-32, cover the same period as 2 Kings 18-20, but, for the most part, have in view a different side of Hezekiah's reign, Chronicles relating in great detail his religious reforms, whilst Kings is concerned mainly with the political events of the time....