_A.M. 3278. B.C. 726._ King Hezekiah and the people resolve to keep the passover, 2 Chronicles 30:1. He invites Judah and Israel to it, 2 Chronicles 30:6. The joyful celebration of it, 2 Chronicles 30:13.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hezekiah sent to all Israel_ To all the persons of the ten tribes who were settled in his kingdom, as well as to those of the tribe of Judah. _And wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh_ To all the remainder of the ten tribes, (2 Chronicles 30:5,) here expressed by the names of Ephraim and Mana... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king had taken counsel_, &c. The law directed that the passover should be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first mouth: but as it was found impossible to get all things in readiness against that time, it was thought more advisable to adjourn it to the fourteenth day of the next month, th... [ Continue Reading ]
_For they could not keep it at that time_ Which God had appointed for it, both because the temple was not then purified and prepared, and also for two other reasons, which he here adds. _The priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently_ To wit, in such a manner as was fit, nor in such numbers... [ Continue Reading ]
_So they established a decree_ They fixed a resolution; _to make proclamation throughout all Israel_ Hezekiah, it is certain, had no right to invite Hoshea's subjects to repair to Jerusalem, to the celebration of his passover; yet for the doing of this we may well presume that he had encouragement f... [ Continue Reading ]
_So the posts_ Hebrew, הרצים, _haratsim, the runners; went with the letters_ Expresses were sent throughout all the tribes of Israel, with memorials, earnestly pressing the people to take this opportunity of returning to God, from whom they had revolted. _Saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again un... [ Continue Reading ]
_Be not stiff-necked, as your fathers were_ A metaphorical expression, taken from refractory oxen, which will not go forward, but endeavour to withdraw their necks and shoulders from the yoke, and go backward. _But yield yourselves unto the Lord_ Hebrew, _Give the hand_ to him, that is, submit yours... [ Continue Reading ]
_Your brethren and your children shall find compassion_, &c. You may hope that he will turn again the captivity of your brethren that are carried away, and restore them to their own land; bringing them first to true repentance, according to the prayer of Solomon, 1 Kings 8:47; and 2 Chronicles 7:14;... [ Continue Reading ]
_They laughed them to scorn, and mocked them_ Having been long accustomed to serve other gods, the hearts of the generality of the ten tribes were so hardened, that they scoffed at this most gracious invitation to repentance. And what wonder that Hezekiah's messengers were thus despitefully used by... [ Continue Reading ]
_Nevertheless, divers of Asher_, &c. Here is not so much as one of Ephraim mentioned; yet some of that tribe are spoken of afterward as partaking of the passover, 2 Chronicles 30:18. It is likely that these, although at first they mocked at the message, yet afterward, upon consideration, followed th... [ Continue Reading ]
_They arose and took away the altars_, &c. As soon as they came to Jerusalem, they began to show their zeal against idolatry, by throwing down the altars that Ahaz had erected in high places, either for sacrifice or burning incense, which were very many, (2 Chronicles 28:24,) stamping them to powder... [ Continue Reading ]
_The priests and Levites were ashamed_ Their negligence and remissness being upbraided by the general forwardness of the people. The zeal which we observe in others, should make us ashamed of our own coldness, and quicken us not only to do our duty, but to do it with our might.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The priests sprinkled the blood_ Of the sacrifices upon the altar; _which they received of the hand of the Levites_ Who killed and flayed the sacrifices, which the priests, if they had been sanctified, should have done, as was observed on 2 Chronicles 29:34. _For there were many in the congregation... [ Continue Reading ]
_A multitude of the people had not cleansed themselves_ Either they did not know, after such a long night of ignorance and superstition, what ceremonies were required, in order to their purification, or they had not time to use them. Yet having an eager and pious desire to commemorate their wonderfu... [ Continue Reading ]
_That prepareth his heart to seek God_ The great thing required in our attendance on God in his ordinances is, that we _prepare our hearts to seek him;_ that the inward man, the spirit, be engaged; that we make heart-work of our religion. All is nothing without this. Hezekiah does not pray that this... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Lord hearkened to Hezekiah_ Was greatly pleased with his pious concern for the congregation; and, in answer to his prayer, _healed the people_ That is, pardoned this their sin, and accepted them and their services, as if they had been clean.... [ Continue Reading ]
_The Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day_ All the seven days they praised him with songs and musical instruments, thus expressing their own, and exciting one another's joy in God, and thankfulness to him. Much of our time in our religious meetings should be spent in praising God.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites_ Commended them for their care and diligence, and thereby encouraged them to a cheerful and diligent attendance upon their holy ministrations, and to continue to instruct the people in their duty, promising, it is likely, to reward them for what they... [ Continue Reading ]
_They kept other seven days with gladness_ Not in the same manner as they had done the former, but in the solemn worship of God, by sacrifices, and prayers, and praises, and public instructions of that great congregation, _in the good knowledge of the Lord;_ which was very necessary for the people,... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hezekiah did give a thousand bullocks, and seven thousand sheep_ First to God, to whom the parts appointed were offered in a way of thanksgiving; and then to the people, who feasted upon the relics, as the offerer used to do in peace-offerings: and Hezekiah, who was the offerer, gave away his right... [ Continue Reading ]
_Then the priests the Levites arose, and blessed the people_ That is, those of the Levites who were priests also, for to them only this work belonged, 1 Chronicles 23:13. In performing this office, they were both the people's mouth to God, by way of prayer, and God's mouth to the people, by way of p... [ Continue Reading ]