2 Chronicles 31:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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¹ Now when all this was finished, ^H3615 all Israel ^H3478 that were present ^H4672 went out ^H3318 to the cities ^H5892 of Judah, ^H3063 and brake ^H7665 the images ^H4676 in pieces, ^H7665 and cut down ^H1438 the groves, ^H842 and threw down ^H5422 the high places ^H1116 and the altars ^H4196 out of all Judah ^H3063 and Benjamin, ^H1144 in Ephraim ^H669 also and Manasseh, ^H4519 until they had utterly destroyed ^H3615 them all. Then all the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 returned, ^H7725 every man ^H376 to his possession, ^H272 into their own cities. ^H5892

Cross Reference

1 Kings 18:38-40 STRONG

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Then the fire ^H784 of the LORD ^H3068 fell, ^H5307 and consumed ^H398 the burnt sacrifice, ^H5930 and the wood, ^H6086 and the stones, ^H68 and the dust, ^H6083 and licked up ^H3897 the water ^H4325 that was in the trench. ^H8585 And when all the people ^H5971 saw ^H7200 it, they fell ^H5307 on their faces: ^H6440 and they said, ^H559 The LORD, ^H3068 he is the God; ^H430 the LORD, ^H3068 he is the God. ^H430 And Elijah ^H452 said ^H559 unto them, Take ^H8610 the prophets ^H5030 of Baal; ^H1168 let not one ^H376 of them escape. ^H4422 And they took ^H8610 them: and Elijah ^H452 brought them down ^H3381 to the brook ^H5158 Kishon, ^H7028 and slew ^H7819 them there.

2 Kings 23:2-20 STRONG

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And the king ^H4428 went up ^H5927 into the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 and all the men ^H376 of Judah ^H3063 and all the inhabitants ^H3427 of Jerusalem ^H3389 with him, and the priests, ^H3548 and the prophets, ^H5030 and all the people, ^H5971 both small ^H6996 and great: ^H1419 and he read ^H7121 in their ears ^H241 all the words ^H1697 of the book ^H5612 of the covenant ^H1285 which was found ^H4672 in the house ^H1004 of the LORD. ^H3068 And the king ^H4428 stood ^H5975 by a pillar, ^H5982 and made ^H3772 a covenant ^H1285 before ^H6440 the LORD, ^H3068 to walk ^H3212 after ^H310 the LORD, ^H3068 and to keep ^H8104 his commandments ^H4687 and his testimonies ^H5715 and his statutes ^H2708 with all their heart ^H3820 and all their soul, ^H5315 to perform ^H6965 the words ^H1697 of this covenant ^H1285 that were written ^H3789 in this book. ^H5612 And all the people ^H5971 stood ^H5975 to the covenant. ^H1285 And the king ^H4428 commanded ^H6680 Hilkiah ^H2518 the high ^H1419 priest, ^H3548 and the priests ^H3548 of the second order, ^H4932 and the keepers ^H8104 of the door, ^H5592 to bring forth ^H3318 out of the temple ^H1964 of the LORD ^H3068 all the vessels ^H3627 that were made ^H6213 for Baal, ^H1168 and for the grove, ^H842 and for all the host ^H6635 of heaven: ^H8064 and he burned ^H8313 them without ^H2351 Jerusalem ^H3389 in the fields ^H7709 of Kidron, ^H6939 and carried ^H5375 the ashes ^H6083 of them unto Bethel. ^H1008 And he put down ^H7673 the idolatrous priests, ^H3649 whom the kings ^H4428 of Judah ^H3063 had ordained ^H5414 to burn incense ^H6999 in the high places ^H1116 in the cities ^H5892 of Judah, ^H3063 and in the places round about ^H4524 Jerusalem; ^H3389 them also that burned incense ^H6999 unto Baal, ^H1168 to the sun, ^H8121 and to the moon, ^H3394 and to the planets, ^H4208 and to all the host ^H6635 of heaven. ^H8064 And he brought out ^H3318 the grove ^H842 from the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 without ^H2351 Jerusalem, ^H3389 unto the brook ^H5158 Kidron, ^H6939 and burned ^H8313 it at the brook ^H5158 Kidron, ^H6939 and stamped it small ^H1854 to powder, ^H6083 and cast ^H7993 the powder ^H6083 thereof upon the graves ^H6913 of the children ^H1121 of the people. ^H5971 And he brake down ^H5422 the houses ^H1004 of the sodomites, ^H6945 that were by the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 where the women ^H802 wove ^H707 hangings ^H1004 for the grove. ^H842 And he brought ^H935 all the priests ^H3548 out of the cities ^H5892 of Judah, ^H3063 and defiled ^H2930 the high places ^H1116 where the priests ^H3548 had burned incense, ^H6999 from Geba ^H1387 to Beersheba, ^H884 and brake down ^H5422 the high places ^H1116 of the gates ^H8179 that were in the entering in ^H6607 of the gate ^H8179 of Joshua ^H3091 the governor ^H8269 of the city, ^H5892 which were on a man's ^H376 left hand ^H8040 at the gate ^H8179 of the city. ^H5892 Nevertheless the priests ^H3548 of the high places ^H1116 came not up ^H5927 to the altar ^H4196 of the LORD ^H3068 in Jerusalem, ^H3389 but they did eat ^H398 of the unleavened bread ^H4682 among ^H8432 their brethren. ^H251 And he defiled ^H2930 Topheth, ^H8612 which is in the valley ^H1516 of the children ^H1121 ^H1121 of Hinnom, ^H2011 that no man ^H376 might make his son ^H1121 or his daughter ^H1323 to pass through ^H5674 the fire ^H784 to Molech. ^H4432 And he took away ^H7673 the horses ^H5483 that the kings ^H4428 of Judah ^H3063 had given ^H5414 to the sun, ^H8121 at the entering in ^H935 of the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 by the chamber ^H3957 of Nathanmelech ^H5419 the chamberlain, ^H5631 which was in the suburbs, ^H6503 and burned ^H8313 the chariots ^H4818 of the sun ^H8121 with fire. ^H784 And the altars ^H4196 that were on the top ^H1406 of the upper chamber ^H5944 of Ahaz, ^H271 which the kings ^H4428 of Judah ^H3063 had made, ^H6213 and the altars ^H4196 which Manasseh ^H4519 had made ^H6213 in the two ^H8147 courts ^H2691 of the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 did the king ^H4428 beat down, ^H5422 and brake them down ^H7323 from thence, and cast ^H7993 the dust ^H6083 of them into the brook ^H5158 Kidron. ^H6939 And the high places ^H1116 that were before ^H6440 Jerusalem, ^H3389 which were on the right hand ^H3225 of the mount ^H2022 of corruption, ^H4889 which Solomon ^H8010 the king ^H4428 of Israel ^H3478 had builded ^H1129 for Ashtoreth ^H6253 the abomination ^H8251 of the Zidonians, ^H6722 and for Chemosh ^H3645 the abomination ^H8251 of the Moabites, ^H4124 and for Milcom ^H4445 the abomination ^H8441 of the children ^H1121 of Ammon, ^H5983 did the king ^H4428 defile. ^H2930 And he brake in pieces ^H7665 the images, ^H4676 and cut down ^H3772 the groves, ^H842 and filled ^H4390 their places ^H4725 with the bones ^H6106 of men. ^H120 Moreover the altar ^H4196 that was at Bethel, ^H1008 and the high place ^H1116 which Jeroboam ^H3379 the son ^H1121 of Nebat, ^H5028 who made Israel ^H3478 to sin, ^H2398 had made, ^H6213 both that altar ^H4196 and the high place ^H1116 he brake down, ^H5422 and burned ^H8313 the high place, ^H1116 and stamped ^H1854 it small to powder, ^H6083 and burned ^H8313 the grove. ^H842 And as Josiah ^H2977 turned ^H6437 himself, he spied ^H7200 the sepulchres ^H6913 that were there in the mount, ^H2022 and sent, ^H7971 and took ^H3947 the bones ^H6106 out of the sepulchres, ^H6913 and burned ^H8313 them upon the altar, ^H4196 and polluted ^H2930 it, according to the word ^H1697 of the LORD ^H3068 which the man ^H376 of God ^H430 proclaimed, ^H7121 who proclaimed ^H7121 these words. ^H1697 Then he said, ^H559 What title ^H6725 is that ^H1975 that I see? ^H7200 And the men ^H582 of the city ^H5892 told ^H559 him, It is the sepulchre ^H6913 of the man ^H376 of God, ^H430 which came ^H935 from Judah, ^H3063 and proclaimed ^H7121 these things ^H1697 that thou hast done ^H6213 against the altar ^H4196 of Bethel. ^H1008 And he said, ^H559 Let him alone; ^H3240 let no man ^H376 move ^H5128 his bones. ^H6106 So they let his bones ^H6106 alone, ^H4422 with the bones ^H6106 of the prophet ^H5030 that came out ^H935 of Samaria. ^H8111 And all the houses ^H1004 also of the high places ^H1116 that were in the cities ^H5892 of Samaria, ^H8111 which the kings ^H4428 of Israel ^H3478 had made ^H6213 to provoke the LORD to anger, ^H3707 Josiah ^H2977 took away, ^H5493 and did ^H6213 to them according to all the acts ^H4639 that he had done ^H6213 in Bethel. ^H1008 And he slew ^H2076 all the priests ^H3548 of the high places ^H1116 that were there upon the altars, ^H4196 and burned ^H8313 men's ^H120 bones ^H6106 upon them, and returned ^H7725 to Jerusalem. ^H3389

2 Chronicles 30:1-27 STRONG

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And Hezekiah ^H3169 sent ^H7971 to all Israel ^H3478 and Judah, ^H3063 and wrote ^H3789 letters ^H107 also to Ephraim ^H669 and Manasseh, ^H4519 that they should come ^H935 to the house ^H1004 of the LORD ^H3068 at Jerusalem, ^H3389 to keep ^H6213 the passover ^H6453 unto the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel. ^H3478 For the king ^H4428 had taken counsel, ^H3289 and his princes, ^H8269 and all the congregation ^H6951 in Jerusalem, ^H3389 to keep ^H6213 the passover ^H6453 in the second ^H8145 month. ^H2320 For they could ^H3201 not keep ^H6213 it at that time, ^H6256 because the priests ^H3548 had not sanctified ^H6942 themselves sufficiently, ^H4078 ^H1767 neither had the people ^H5971 gathered themselves together ^H622 to Jerusalem. ^H3389 And the thing ^H1697 pleased ^H3474 ^H5869 the king ^H4428 and all the congregation. ^H6951 So they established ^H5975 a decree ^H1697 to make proclamation ^H5674 ^H6963 throughout all Israel, ^H3478 from Beersheba ^H884 even to Dan, ^H1835 that they should come ^H935 to keep ^H6213 the passover ^H6453 unto the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel ^H3478 at Jerusalem: ^H3389 for they had not done ^H6213 it of a long ^H7230 time in such sort as it was written. ^H3789 So the posts ^H7323 went ^H3212 with the letters ^H107 from ^H3027 the king ^H4428 and his princes ^H8269 throughout all Israel ^H3478 and Judah, ^H3063 and according to the commandment ^H4687 of the king, ^H4428 saying, ^H559 Ye children ^H1121 of Israel, ^H3478 turn again ^H7725 unto the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Abraham, ^H85 Isaac, ^H3327 and Israel, ^H3478 and he will return ^H7725 to the remnant ^H7604 of you, that are escaped ^H6413 out of the hand ^H3709 of the kings ^H4428 of Assyria. ^H804 And be not ye like your fathers, ^H1 and like your brethren, ^H251 which trespassed ^H4603 against the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of their fathers, ^H1 who therefore gave them up ^H5414 to desolation, ^H8047 as ye see. ^H7200 Now be ye not stiffnecked, ^H7185 ^H6203 as your fathers ^H1 were, but yield ^H5414 yourselves ^H3027 unto the LORD, ^H3068 and enter ^H935 into his sanctuary, ^H4720 which he hath sanctified ^H6942 for ever: ^H5769 and serve ^H5647 the LORD ^H3068 your God, ^H430 that the fierceness ^H2740 of his wrath ^H639 may turn away ^H7725 from you. For if ye turn again ^H7725 unto the LORD, ^H3068 your brethren ^H251 and your children ^H1121 shall find compassion ^H7356 before ^H6440 them that lead them captive, ^H7617 so that they shall come again ^H7725 into this land: ^H776 for the LORD ^H3068 your God ^H430 is gracious ^H2587 and merciful, ^H7349 and will not turn away ^H5493 his face ^H6440 from you, if ye return ^H7725 unto him. So the posts ^H7323 passed ^H5674 from city ^H5892 to city ^H5892 through the country ^H776 of Ephraim ^H669 and Manasseh ^H4519 even unto Zebulun: ^H2074 but they laughed them to scorn, ^H7832 and mocked ^H3932 them. Nevertheless divers ^H582 of Asher ^H836 and Manasseh ^H4519 and of Zebulun ^H2074 humbled ^H3665 themselves, and came ^H935 to Jerusalem. ^H3389 Also in Judah ^H3063 the hand ^H3027 of God ^H430 was to give ^H5414 them one ^H259 heart ^H3820 to do ^H6213 the commandment ^H4687 of the king ^H4428 and of the princes, ^H8269 by the word ^H1697 of the LORD. ^H3068 And there assembled ^H622 at Jerusalem ^H3389 much ^H7227 people ^H5971 to keep ^H6213 the feast ^H2282 of unleavened bread ^H4682 in the second ^H8145 month, ^H2320 a very ^H3966 great ^H7230 congregation. ^H6951 And they arose ^H6965 and took away ^H5493 the altars ^H4196 that were in Jerusalem, ^H3389 and all the altars for incense ^H6999 took they away, ^H5493 and cast ^H7993 them into the brook ^H5158 Kidron. ^H6939 Then they killed ^H7819 the passover ^H6453 on the fourteenth ^H702 ^H6240 day of the second ^H8145 month: ^H2320 and the priests ^H3548 and the Levites ^H3881 were ashamed, ^H3637 and sanctified ^H6942 themselves, and brought in ^H935 the burnt offerings ^H5930 into the house ^H1004 of the LORD. ^H3068 And they stood ^H5975 in their place ^H5977 after their manner, ^H4941 according to the law ^H8451 of Moses ^H4872 the man ^H376 of God: ^H430 the priests ^H3548 sprinkled ^H2236 the blood, ^H1818 which they received of the hand ^H3027 of the Levites. ^H3881 For there were many ^H7227 in the congregation ^H6951 that were not sanctified: ^H6942 therefore the Levites ^H3881 had the charge of the killing ^H7821 of the passovers ^H6453 for every one that was not clean, ^H2889 to sanctify ^H6942 them unto the LORD. ^H3068 For a multitude ^H4768 of the people, ^H5971 even many ^H7227 of Ephraim, ^H669 and Manasseh, ^H4519 Issachar, ^H3485 and Zebulun, ^H2074 had not ^H3808 cleansed ^H2891 themselves, yet did they eat ^H398 the passover ^H6453 otherwise than it was written. ^H3789 But Hezekiah ^H3169 prayed ^H6419 for them, saying, ^H559 The good ^H2896 LORD ^H3068 pardon ^H3722 every one That prepareth ^H3559 his heart ^H3824 to seek ^H1875 God, ^H430 the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of his fathers, ^H1 though he be not cleansed according to the purification ^H2893 of the sanctuary. ^H6944 And the LORD ^H3068 hearkened ^H8085 to Hezekiah, ^H3169 and healed ^H7495 the people. ^H5971 And the children ^H1121 of Israel ^H3478 that were present ^H4672 at Jerusalem ^H3389 kept ^H6213 the feast ^H2282 of unleavened bread ^H4682 seven ^H7651 days ^H3117 with great ^H1419 gladness: ^H8057 and the Levites ^H3881 and the priests ^H3548 praised ^H1984 the LORD ^H3068 day ^H3117 by day, ^H3117 singing with loud ^H5797 instruments ^H3627 unto the LORD. ^H3068 And Hezekiah ^H3169 spake ^H1696 comfortably ^H3820 unto all the Levites ^H3881 that taught ^H7919 the good ^H2896 knowledge ^H7922 of the LORD: ^H3068 and they did eat ^H398 throughout the feast ^H4150 seven ^H7651 days, ^H3117 offering ^H2076 peace ^H8002 offerings, ^H2077 and making confession ^H3034 to the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of their fathers. ^H1 And the whole assembly ^H6951 took counsel ^H3289 to keep ^H6213 other ^H312 seven ^H7651 days: ^H3117 and they kept ^H6213 other seven ^H7651 days ^H3117 with gladness. ^H8057 For Hezekiah ^H2396 king ^H4428 of Judah ^H3063 did give ^H7311 to the congregation ^H6951 a thousand ^H505 bullocks ^H6499 and seven ^H7651 thousand ^H505 sheep; ^H6629 and the princes ^H8269 gave ^H7311 to the congregation ^H6951 a thousand ^H505 bullocks ^H6499 and ten ^H6235 thousand ^H505 sheep: ^H6629 and a great number ^H7230 of priests ^H3548 sanctified ^H6942 themselves. And all the congregation ^H6951 of Judah, ^H3063 with the priests ^H3548 and the Levites, ^H3881 and all the congregation ^H6951 that came out ^H935 of Israel, ^H3478 and the strangers ^H1616 that came out ^H935 of the land ^H776 of Israel, ^H3478 and that dwelt ^H3427 in Judah, ^H3063 rejoiced. ^H8055 So there was great ^H1419 joy ^H8057 in Jerusalem: ^H3389 for since the time ^H3117 of Solomon ^H8010 the son ^H1121 of David ^H1732 king ^H4428 of Israel ^H3478 there was not the like in Jerusalem. ^H3389 Then the priests ^H3548 the Levites ^H3881 arose ^H6965 and blessed ^H1288 the people: ^H5971 and their voice ^H6963 was heard, ^H8085 and their prayer ^H8605 came ^H935 up to his holy ^H6944 dwelling place, ^H4583 even unto heaven. ^H8064

2 Chronicles 34:3-7 STRONG

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For in the eighth ^H8083 year ^H8141 of his reign, ^H4427 while he was yet young, ^H5288 he began ^H2490 to seek ^H1875 after the God ^H430 of David ^H1732 his father: ^H1 and in the twelfth ^H8147 ^H6240 year ^H8141 he began ^H2490 to purge ^H2891 Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem ^H3389 from the high places, ^H1116 and the groves, ^H842 and the carved images, ^H6456 and the molten images. ^H4541 And they brake down ^H5422 the altars ^H4196 of Baalim ^H1168 in his presence; ^H6440 and the images, ^H2553 that were on high above them, ^H4605 he cut down; ^H1438 and the groves, ^H842 and the carved images, ^H6456 and the molten images, ^H4541 he brake in pieces, ^H7665 and made dust ^H1854 of them, and strowed ^H2236 it upon ^H6440 the graves ^H6913 of them that had sacrificed ^H2076 unto them. And he burnt ^H8313 the bones ^H6106 of the priests ^H3548 upon their altars, ^H4196 and cleansed ^H2891 Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem. ^H3389 And so did he in the cities ^H5892 of Manasseh, ^H4519 and Ephraim, ^H669 and Simeon, ^H8095 even unto Naphtali, ^H5321 with their mattocks ^H2719 round about. ^H5439 And when he had broken down ^H5422 the altars ^H4196 and the groves, ^H842 and had beaten ^H3807 the graven images ^H6456 into powder, ^H1854 and cut down ^H1438 all the idols ^H2553 throughout all the land ^H776 of Israel, ^H3478 he returned ^H7725 to Jerusalem. ^H3389

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 31 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 31

We have here a further account of that blessed reformation of which Hezekiah was a glorious instrument, and of the happy advances he made in it.

I. All the remnants of idolatry were destroyed and abolished (v. 1).
II. The priests and Levites were set to work again, every man in his place (v. 2).
III. Care was taken for their maintenance.
- 1. The royal bounty to the clergy, and for the support of the temple service, was duly paid (v. 3).
- 2. Orders were given for the raising of the people's quota (v. 4).
- 3. The people, thereupon, brought in their dues abundantly (v. 5-10).
- 4. Commissioners were appointed for the due distribution of what was brought in (v. 11-19).
Lastly, Here is the general praise of Hezekiah's sincerity in all his undertakings (v. 20, 21).

2Ch 31:1-10

We have here an account of what was done after the passover. What was wanting in the solemnities of preparation for it before was made up in that which is better, a due improvement of it after. When the religious exercises of a Lord's day or a communion are finished we must not think that then the work is done. No, then the hardest part of our work begins, which is to exemplify the impressions of the ordinance upon our minds in all the instances of a holy conversation. So it was here; when all this was finished there was more to be done.

I. They applied themselves with vigour to destroy all the monuments of idolatry, v. 1. The king had done what he could of this kind (2 Ki. 18:4), but the people could discover those profane relics which escaped the eye of the king's officers, and therefore they went out to see what they could do, v. 1. This was done immediately after the passover. Note, The comfort of communion with God should kindle in us a holy zeal and indignation against sin, against every thing that is offensive to God. If our hearts have been made to burn within us at an ordinance, that spirit of burning will consume the dross of corruption. What have I now to do any more with idols? Their zeal here in destroying the images and groves, the high places and altars, appeared,
- 1. In that they did this, not only in the cities of Judah and Benjamin, but in those of Ephraim and Manasseh. Some think that those cities are meant which had come under the protection and the jurisdiction of the kings of Judah. Others think that, Hoshea king of Israel not forbidding it, their zeal carried them out to the destruction of idolatry even in many parts of his kingdom. At least those that came out of Ephraim and Manasseh to keep the passover (as many did, ch. 30:18) destroyed all their own images and groves, and did the like for as many more as they had influence upon or could make interest in for leave to do it. We should not only reform ourselves, but do all we can to reform others too.
- 2. They destroyed all: they utterly destroyed all; they spared none through favour or affection either to the images or to their worshippers; though ever so ancient, ever so costly, ever so beautiful, and ever so well patronised, yet they must all be destroyed. Note, Those that sincerely set themselves against sin will set themselves against all sin.
- 3. They would not return to their houses, though they had been long absent, till this was done. They could not be easy, nor think themselves safe, in their cities, as long as the images and groves, those betrayers and destroyers of their country, were left standing. Perhaps the prophet Isaiah pointed to this when, a little before, he spoke of a day in which men should cast away the very idols that they themselves had made. So surprising was this blessed change, Isa. 2:20; 31:6, 7.
II. Hezekiah revived and restored the courses of the priests and Levites, which David had appointed and which had of late been put out of course, v. 2. The temple service was put into its proper method again, to run in the old channel. Every man was made to know his work, his place, his time, and what was expected from him. Note, Good order contributes much to the carrying on of a good work. The priests were appointed in their courses for burnt-offerings and peace-offerings; the Levites in their courses were some to minister to the priests, others to give thanks and praise. See 1 Chr. 23:4, 5. And all this in the gates or courts of the tents of the Lord. The temple is here called a tent because the temple privileges are movable things and this temple was shortly to be removed.
III. He appropriated a branch of the revenue of his crown to the maintenance and support of the altar. Though the people were to be at the charge of the daily offerings, and those on the sabbaths, new moons, and feasts, yet, rather than they should be burdened with the expense, he allowed out of his own estate, or out of his exchequer, for all those offerings, v. 3. It was a generous act of piety, wherein he consulted both God's honour and his people's ease, as a faithful servant to him and a tender father to them. Let princes and great men reckon that well bestowed, and set out to the best interest, which they give for the support and encouragement of religion in their country.
IV. He issued out an order to the inhabitants of Jerusalem first, v. 4 (that those who were nearest the temple, and both saved and got by being so, might give a good example to others), but which was afterwards extended to, or at least admitted by, the cities of Judah, that they should carefully pay in their dues, according to the law, to the priests and Levites. This had been long neglected, which made the work to be neglected (for a scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry); but Hezekiah, having himself been liberal, might with a good grace require his subjects to be just to the temple service. And observe the end he aims at in recovering and restoring to the priests and Levites their portion, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord, in the study of it, and in doing their duty according to it. Observe here,
- 1. It is fit that ministers should be not only maintained, but encouraged, that they should not only be kept to do their work, but that they should also have wherewith to live comfortably, that they may do it with cheerfulness.
- 2. Yet they are to be maintained, not in idleness, pride, and luxury, but in the law of the Lord, in their observance of it themselves and in teaching others the good knowledge of it.
V. The people thereupon brought in their tithes very readily. They wanted nothing but to be called upon; and therefore, as soon as the commandment came abroad, the first-fruits and all the holy things were duly brought in, v. 5, 6. What the priests had occasion for, for themselves and their families, they made use of, and the overplus was laid in heaps, v. 6. All harvest-time they were increasing these heaps, as the fruits of the earth were gathered in; for God was to have his dues out of them all. Though a prescription may be pleaded for a modus decimandi-tenth proportion, yet it cannot be pleaded pro non decminado-for the omission of the tenth. When harvest ended they finished their heaps, v. 7. Now here we have,
- 1. The account given to Hezekiah concerning those heaps. He questioned the priests and Levites concerning them, why they did not use what was paid in, but hoarded it up thus, (v. 9), to which it was answered that they had made use of all they had occasion for, for the maintenance of themselves and their families and for their winter store, and that this was that which was left over and above, v. 10. They did not hoard these heaps for covetousness, but to show what plentiful provision God by his law had made for them, if they could but have it collected and brought in, and that those who conscientiously give God his dues out of their estates bring a blessing upon all they have: Since they began to bring in the offerings the Lord has blessed his people. See for this Hag. 2:19. "Try me,' says God, "if you will not otherwise trust me, whether, upon your bringing the tithes into the store-house, you have not a blessing poured out upon you,' Mal. 3:10, 11; Eze. 44:30.
- 2. The acknowledgment which the king and princes made of it, v. 8. They gave thanks to God for his good providence, which gave them something to bring, and his good grace, which gave them hearts to bring it. And they also blessed the people, that is, commended them for their doing well now, without reproaching them for their former neglects. It is observable that after they had tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance, in the late comfortable passover, they were thus free in maintaining the temple service. Those that experience the benefit of a settled ministry will not grudge the expense of it.

2Ch 31:11-21

Here we have,

I. Two particular instances of the care of Hezekiah concerning church matters, having put them into good order, to keep them so. The tithes and other holy things being brought in, he provided,
- 1. That they should be carefully laid up, and not left exposed in loose heaps, liable to be wasted and embezzled. He ordered chambers to be made ready in some of the courts of the temple for store-chambers (v. 11), and into them the offerings were brought and there kept under lock and key, v. 12, 13. Treasurers or store-keepers were appointed, who had the oversight of them, to see that moth and rust did not corrupt them nor thieves break through to steal. This wisdom of laying up the surplus in days of plenty we may learn from the ant, who provideth meat in summer. The laying up in store what was brought in was an encouragement to people to pay in their contributions. That will be given cheerfully by the public which appears to be well husbanded.
- 2. That they should be faithfully laid out, according to the uses they were intended for. Church treasures are not to be hoarded any longer than till there is occasion for them, lest even the rust should be a witness against those who hoard them. Officers were appointed, men (no doubt) of approved wisdom and faithfulness, to distribute the oblations of the Lord and the most holy things among the priests (v. 14), and to see that they all had a competent maintenance for themselves and their families. The law provided sufficient for them all, and therefore, if some had too little, it must be because others had too much; to prevent such inequality these officers were to go by some certain rule of proportion in the disposal of the incomes of the temple. It is said of the priests here (v. 18) that in their set office they sanctified themselves; in faith they sanctified themselves (so the word is), that is, as bishop Patrick explains it, they attended their ministry at the house of God, not doubting but they should be provided with all things necessary. Now, because they served God in that confidence, care was taken that they should not be made ashamed of their hope. Note, Those that sanctify themselves to God and his service in faith, believing that he will see them want for nothing that is good for them, shall certainly be fed. Out of the offerings of the Lord distribution was made,
  - (1.) To the priests in the cities (v. 15), who staid at home while their brethren went to Jerusalem, and did good there in teaching the good knowledge of the Lord. The preaching priests were maintained as well as the sacrificing priests, and those that abode by the stuff as well as those that warred the warfare.
  - (2.) To those that entered into the house of the Lord, all the males from three years old and upwards; for the male children even at that tender age, it seems, were allowed to come into the temple with their parents, and shared with them in this distribution, v. 16.
  - (3.) Even the Levites from twenty years old and upwards had their share, v. 17.
  - (4.) The wives and children of the priests and Levites had a comfortable maintenance out of those offerings, v. 18. In maintaining ministers, regard must be had to their families, that not they only, but theirs, may have food convenient. In some countries where ministers have their salary paid them by the state an addition is made to it upon the birth of a child.
  - (5.) The priests in the country, that lived in the fields of the suburbs, were not overlooked in this ministration, v. 19. Those also had their share who were inhabitants of the villages, though they might be supposed to live at a less expense.
II. A general character of Hezekiah's services for the support of religion, v. 20, 21.
- 1. His pious zeal reached to all the parts of his kingdom: Thus he did throughout all Judah; every part of the country, and not those only that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government.
- 2. He sincerely designed to please God, and approved himself to him in all he did: He wrought that which was good before the Lord his God; all his care was to do that which should be accepted of God, which was right (that is, agreeable to natural equity), and truth (that is, agreeable to divine revelation and his covenant with God), before the Lord; to do according to that law which is holy, just, and good.
- 3. What he began he went through with, prosecuted it with vigour, and did it with all his heart.
- 4. All his good intentions were brought to a good issue; whatever he did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his kingdom, he prospered in it. Note, What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 2 Chronicles » Chapter 31 » Verse 1

2 Chronicles 31:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Cross Reference

1 Kings 18:38-40 STRONG

2 Kings 23:2-20 STRONG

2 Chronicles 30:1-27 STRONG

2 Chronicles 34:3-7 STRONG

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Chronicles 31

Commentary on 2 Chronicles 31 Matthew Henry Commentary

Chapter 31