_A.M. 3278. B.C. 726._ The remains of idolatry are destroyed, 2 Chronicles 31:1. Hezekiah provides work and maintenance for the priests and Levites, 2 Chronicles 31:2. The people bring in their dues abundantly, 2 Chronicles 31:5. Officers are appointed to dispose of them, 2 Chronicles 31:11. Hezeki... [ Continue Reading ]
_In Ephraim and Manasseh also_ Though these tribes were a part of Hoshea's kingdom, yet Hezekiah might direct this abolition of idolatry in them, either in virtue of the law of God, to which both Israel and Judah owed subjection, and which commanded the extirpation of these things, out of the whole... [ Continue Reading ]
_In the gates of the tents of the Lord_ That is, within the gates of the house of the Lord: which is here called _tents_, either because all houses are often so called, (see Judges 19:9; Judges 20:8; Psalm 79:25,) or because the host of the Lord, the priests and Levites, encamped there, and kept the... [ Continue Reading ]
_The king's portion of his substance_, &c. Which had hitherto been taken out of the treasures of the temple; but that he might ease the people in their present poverty, which his predecessor had brought upon them, and engage them to a more cheerful attendance upon God's service, he took the burden u... [ Continue Reading ]
_That they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord_ Freed from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious study of God's law, and to the instruction, and direction, and quickening of the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
_As soon as the commandment came abroad_ Either, 1st, As soon as the report of this command of the king was known abroad in other parts; or, 2d, As soon as the king had enlarged and extended that command to all the parts of his kingdom, which (2Ch 31:4) was confined to them that dwelt in Jerusalem.... [ Continue Reading ]
_They brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep_ They not only brought in the same tithe which the dwellers in Jerusalem did, namely, of _corn_, and _wine_, and _oil_, &c., which they had in their own storehouses in that city, but also oxen and sheep, which were more proper to the country; for under th... [ Continue Reading ]
_They blessed the Lord_ Both for giving such plentiful provisions to his land, and for giving his people such liberal hearts. And they praised the people for their forwardness and faithfulness in it.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Hezekiah questioned with the priests_, &c. How it came to pass that no more of their provision was spent, and that there remained yet such great heaps of it? _The chief priest answered, Since the people began to bring the offerings_ Which they did from the beginning of the harvest, according to the... [ Continue Reading ]
_Were overseers under Cononiah and Shimei_, &c. To dispose of those provisions by their direction, and to be accountable to them therein. _Azariah the ruler of the house of God_ Either the supreme ruler, the high-priest, or the chief ruler under him, and in his stead, being appointed by him to inspe... [ Continue Reading ]
_The porter toward the east_ At the east gate of the Lord's house; of which see 2 Chronicles 23:5. _To distribute the oblations _ To the priests and Levites, to whom they were appropriated by God; _and the most holy things_ The remainders of the free-will-offerings, the sin- offerings, and trespass... [ Continue Reading ]
_From three years old and upward_ To whom a portion of these things was allotted, as is here implied. _Unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord_ That were capable of entering thither and doing service there, which they were at twenty years old, as is expressed here, 2 Chronicles 31:17... [ Continue Reading ]
_For in their set office they sanctified themselves unto holiness _ This is alleged as a reason why their wives and children were provided for out of the holy things, because they sequestered themselves from worldly affairs, by which they might otherwise have provided for their families, and entirel... [ Continue Reading ]
_Also of the priests that were in the fields_ Care was taken of those that lived in the country, though at the greatest distance, as well as of those that lived in or near Jerusalem. And they that were not waiting in their courses, but at home with their families, had provision made for them, as if... [ Continue Reading ]
_Thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah_ His pious zeal was extended through his whole kingdom; and all parts of the country, as well as those that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government. _And wrought that which was good, and right, and truth_ Whatsoever he thought was pleasing to... [ Continue Reading ]