Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
2 Chronicles 31:1. In Ephraim also, and Manasseh— Though these tribes made part of Hoshea's dominions, yet Hezekiah might direct this abolition of idolatry in them, either in virtue of a law which bound Israel as well as Judah, and required the extirpation of these things in the whole land of Caanan; or by the special impulse and direction of God's spirit, which puts men upon heroic actions, though not to be drawn into imitation; or, out of a firm persuasion that his neighbour Hoshea, who had permitted his subjects to repair to the passover, would approve of, and consent to, what he did in this respect. See Poole's Annotations.
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
2 Chronicles 31:2. To praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord— See 1 Chronicles 9:19.
He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the fields; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
2 Chronicles 31:12. The dedicated things faithfully— The dedicated things for a deposit. Houbigant; who observes, that Miniamin in the 15th verse should be read Benjamin.
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
2 Chronicles 31:16. Besides their genealogy of males— With whom, moreover, were numbered their sons: and so in the 17th and 18th verses. The last clause of the 18th verse Houbigant renders thus: Because the sacred gifts were committed to their trust.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, The gracious impression that God had made on the people's hearts ended not with the ordinance from whence they came; but they continued to make their profiting appear,
1. In the destruction of every idolatrous relick, not only in Judah, but also in Ephraim and Manasseh; out of those cities, at least, from whence the people came up to Jerusalem: and when this good work was done, they returned in peace every man to his own house. Note; (1.) It is comfortable returning to our home when we carry along with us the blessing of God. (2.) They who truly cleave to God, have their hearts set against all sin, without one allowed reserve.
2. Hezekiah took care that the service which was begun should be regularly carried on. The priests, Levites, and singers, in their several courses, were appointed to minister before the Lord, and their maintenance was provided for. He himself set the example, by appropriating a part of his revenue for the stated offerings, morning and evening, on the new moons, sabbaths, and festivals; and he commanded his people to contribute to so good a work, for the encouragement of God's ministers in their labours. Note; (1.) They deserve to be encouraged who labour in the word and doctrine. (2.) God never intended that any drones should be fed in his hive. (3.) Whether we want or abound here, we know that if we are faithful we cannot at last lose our reward.
3. The people very readily obeyed the king's command; their firstlings, tithes, and offerings were brought; and what was more than the priests and Levites could use, was laid on heaps, from the beginning to the end of harvest. The quantity attracted the king's inquiry; and the high-priest informed him of God's blessing on the people, and that these just dues afforded them a plentiful maintenance, with enough for winter's store. For such mercies the king and princes blessed the Lord, and commended the people for their readiness and faithful contribution. Note; (1.) None were ever losers by a conscientious rendering to God of the things which are God's. (2.) Whatever good appears, God must be acknowledged as the blessed author of it. (3.) They who do well deserve commendation. (4.) The soul that hath profited by God's ministers, will never grudge them a maintenance.
2nd, We have,
1. The care which Hezekiah took of the tithes, and the equitable distribution of them. Keepers were appointed; chambers fitted up in the court of the temple, to lay up the stores; and while they who in course waited in the temple, with their son from three years old and upwards, were entirely provided for, that they might wait on the Lord without their attention being diverted, they who lived in the cities or villages were not neglected; but every one received a proportionate supply, according to the largeness of their families. Note; (1.) Wise economy is the way to secure abiding plenty. (2.) They who wait upon the Lord with diligence, may confidently trust him for a provision. (3.) Minister's families, as well as themselves, should be considered, and taken care of. (4.) The unequal distribution of church-revenues is a great evil. How unjust it is, that one should loll in affluence and indolence, while a laborious brother scarcely eats bread from the altar at which he serves!
Pudet haec opprobria nobis, Et dici potuisse, et non potuisse refelli.
2. Hezekiah's universally excellent character is remarked. All his people shared his pious regard: God had his heart; he was zealously affected in his blessed service, and went through with it without declension or weariness; and, as the effect of such perseverance, prosperity attended all his undertakings. Note; When our hearts are truly sincere in God's service, we shall see with comfort the fruit of our labours.
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
