2 Chronicles 30:1

And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

Hezekiah sent to all ... Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh. The names of these leading tribes are used for the whole kingdom of Israel. It being judged impossible, however, that the temple, the priests, and people could be all duly sanctified at the usual time appointed for the anniversary-namely, the 14th day of the first month (Nisan) - it was resolved, instead of postponing the feast until another year, to observe it on the 14th day of the second month: a liberty which, being in certain circumstances (Numbers 9:6) granted to individuals, might, it was believed, be allowed to the whole people. This postponement, however, is no proof that inward holiness was an indispensable qualification to that solemnity. For "sanctified," in this historical connection, means nothing more than being free from ceremonial uncleanness, which many had men might, and many good men might not, be.

Come to ... Jerusalem, to keep the Passover. This great religious festival had not been regularly observed by the Hebrews in their national capacity for a long time, in consequence both of the division of the kingdom and the many disorders that had followed that unhappy event. Hezekiah longed extremely to see its observance revived; and the expression of his wishes having received a hearty response from the princes and chief men of his own kingdom, the preparatory steps were taken for a renewed celebration of the national solemnity.