2 Chronicles 29

2 Chronicles 29:1

BEgan to reign] See the Notes on 2 Kings 18:1.

Abijah] Or, Abi, 2 Kings 18:2.

2 Chronicles 29:3

first yeer] And first day of the moneth, v. 17. Thus he begins with religion. A worthy patern.

opened the doors, &c.] For Ahaz had shut them up, chap. 28. 24.

repaired them] Heb. strengthened them. This may have reference to the doors; or, by a synechdoche, to all the parts of the temple which had doors; or to the priests mentioned in the next verse.

2 Chronicles 29:4

cast-street] Which was before the great door or entrance into the temple.

2 Chronicles 29:5

Levites] He compriseth priests also, who descended from Levi.

sanctifie] See on 1 Chronicles 15:12; 1 Chronicles 15:14.

sanctifie the house] Cleanse, as the words following shew See Levit. 8. 10, &c.

the filthinesse] Idols, and the things which idolaters used in their services, or were brought in to pollute the true worship of God.

the holy place] See on 1 Kings 8:10.

2 Chronicles 29:6

our fathers] Mine and your fathers, and other predecessours.

turned away their faces] Elegant expressions of a scornfull disposition, Jeremiah 2:27. Ezekiel 8:16.

turned their backs] Heb. given the neck. See on 2 Kings 17:14.

2 Chronicles 29:7

they have shut] Chap. 28. 24.

put out the lamps] All these followed upon shutting up the doors.

2 Chronicles 29:8

delivered them to trouble] Heb. commotion. See this threatned, 1 Kings 9:8.

2 Chronicles 29:9

our fathers, &c.] All sorts and degrees of men and women.

are] Or, were, chap. 28. 14.

2 Chronicles 29:10

it is in mine heart] See 1 Kings 8:17.

a covenant] See on 2 Kings 11:4.

2 Chronicles 29:11

My sons] This is a title of his affection to them, and of their subjection to him.

be not now negligent] Or, be not now deceived.

chosen you] Numbers 8:14. and 18. 2, 6. Deuteronomy 10:3.

burn incense] Or, offer sacrifice.

2 Chronicles 29:15

their brethren] Other Levites, v. 34,

sanctified themselves] See v. 5.

by the words of the Lord] Or, in the businesse of the Lord. Or, being moved thereunto by the word of the LORD, or, by inward inspiration.

2 Chronicles 29:16

the inner part, &c.] The middle part, where the priests used to do their srvices. See on 1 Kings 6:36.

the brook Kidron] See 1 Kings 2:37.

2 Chronicles 29:17

first] Verse 3. See on 1 Kings 6:1.

in eight days] Herein they shew their obedience to the kings charge. v. 11.

they made an end] They cleansed the courts also; yea, every thing that appertained to the house of the LORD, v. 18, 19.

2 Chronicles 29:18

the vessels] See of these vessels, 1 King. 7. 48, &c.

2 Chronicles 29:19

did cast away] Either by using them in his idolatrous services, or by putting them to no use at all. See chap. 28. 24.

2 Chronicles 29:20

rose early] This phrase implieth forwardnesse, diligence and speed in a businesse, Exodus 24:4. Jeremiah 7:13.

2 Chronicles 29:21

seven] See on 1 Chron. 15. 26.

bullocks, &c.] All the sorts of clean beasts.

sin-offering] Leviticus 4:14.

for the kingdom] For such as had the rule of the kingdom.

for the sanctuary] The temple, and such holy things as appertained thereto, and had been polluted, chap. 28. 24.

for Judah] The common people.

2 Chronicles 29:22

sprinkled] Levit. 8. 14, 15. Hebrews 9:21.

2 Chronicles 29:23

they brought] The priests.

forth] Heb. neer.

they laid their hands] The king and elders, or people, Leviticus 4:15. The hands of the officers were laid on the head of the beast offered, in testimony of their own guiltinesse, and that the beast was sacrificed for them, Leviticus 1:4.

2 Chronicles 29:24

all Israel] King, priests, governours and people, styled Judah, v. 21.

2 Chronicles 29:25

And he set the Levites] 1 Chron. 16. 4. and 25. 6.

Gad and Nathan] See on 1 Chron. 21. 9. and 29. 29.

of the Lord] Heb. by the hand of the Lord.

by] Heb. by the hand of.

2 Chronicles 29:26

instruments of David] Such musicall instruments as David, by Gods Spirit, had appointed, 1 Chron. 23. 5.

priests with the trumpets] Numbers 10:8. 1 Chron. 15. 24. and 16. 6.

2 Chronicles 29:27

when] Heb. in the time.

song of the Lord] See chap. 7. 3.

instruments] Heb. hands of instruments.

2 Chronicles 29:28

worshipped] Or, praised God.

singers] Heb. song.

2 Chronicles 29:29

they had made an end] V. 23.

all that were, &c.] Chap. 35. 17.

present] Heb. found.

bowed, &c.] See 1 Chronicles 29:20.

2 Chronicles 29:30

Asaph] See the title of Psalm 50.

2 Chronicles 29:31

consecrated your selves] Or, filled your hands. See on 1 Kings 13:33.

sacrifices] Expiatory for sin.

thank-offerings] Gratulatory offerings for praise.

burnt-offerings] Such as were all burnt upon the altar, Leviticus 1:9.

2 Chronicles 29:32

threescore and ten, &c.] See on 1 Kings 8:63.

2 Chronicles 29:33

consecrated things] Other voluntary offerings, which many had by vow consecrated to the LORD: or, sacrifices, which were now consecrated, but reserved to be offered up afterwards.

2 Chronicles 29:34

priests were too few] For some delayed to come, and others, to use the rites of consecration.

slay, &c.] To slay, flay, cut in pieces, and lay beasts on the altar, were works proper to priests, Leviticus 1:6.

brethren] Who were of the same stock, and of a like function, v. 15.

did help them] Heb. strengthned them, In this case of necessity, 1 Samuel 21:6.

upright] Hearty, zealous, forward to the work.

2 Chronicles 29:35

And also] Another reason why the Levites helped the priests, because the sacrifices of all sorts were very many.

fat] Which was every where to be pulled off and burnt (Exodus 29:13.) so as it causd much work.

drink-offerings] Numbers 15:5; Numbers 15:7; Numbers 15:10.

set in order] Or, prepared, or accomplished.

2 Chronicles 29:36

had prepared] Had put such grace and zeal into their hearts, as made them speedily accomplish that great work.