2 Chronicles 31

It is evident that the hearts of the people were prepared, and therefore “they kept the feast with great gladness,” for the sacrifices were most abundant, and far beyond what the law prescribed. ‘‘Note, (says Henry,) holy duties should be performed with holy gladness. We shout the pleasure in them, relish the sweetness of communion with God, and look upon it as matter of unspeakable joy and comfort that we are thus favoured, and have such earnests of everlasting.

Chap. XXXI. Ver. 1—21. Hezekiah puts down all idolatry, and forms arrangements for the restoration of public worship.—The first part of this reform, we have already noticed, ((2 Kings 18:4).,) and nothing could better prepare the people for the entire suppression of idolatry than the celebration of the institution described in the preceding chapter.

Even those of Ephraim and Manasseh, as appear less devoted to idolatry than the other tribes of Israel, carried back with them the spirit of reform into their own country, and Hosea, king of Israel, probably countenanced their conduct, at least, so far as not to oppose them in the attempt: for though he is said to have done “evil in the sight of the Lord,” yet was it “not as the kings of Israel that had been before him.” It was upon the example before us, and other similar ones, that the English Government acted at the time of the glorious Reformation, and which has occasioned them to be stigmatized as Goths and barbarians. We are, for ourselves, by no means

Notes on the verses

Chap. XXXI. Ver. 1. In Ephraim also.—{Either this destruction of the appendages of idolatry in Israel was confined to those cities and villages which also were under the dominion of Judah, or else, probably with the consent of Hoshea, the people, in their zeal for the honour of God, went into various parts of his kingdom for this purpose.}—Bagster. Long Ver. 2. Gates of the tents.—{Beshaarey machanoth Yehowah, “within the gates of the camps of Jehovah;” which comprehended the whole of the builded, and which resembled military encampments.}—Bagster. Here we that surrounded the temple, in which the priests and Levites were station- Ver. 5. And honey.—[The word devash generally denotes the honey produced by bees; but, as we have already observed, (on (Genesis 43:11).) the Jewish doctors are of opinion that it here signifies dates, or the fruit of the palm tree; which the Arabians call daboos, and the honey produced from them, dibs. “This liquor,” says Dr. Sharp, “which has a more luscious sweetness than honey, is of the consistence of a thin syrup, but quickly grows tart and ropy, acquiring an intoxicating quality, and giving by distillation an agreeable spirit, or araky, according to the general name of these people for all hot liquors, extracted by the alembic.” Though Jehovah forbad any devash, or honey, to be offered to him upon the altar, yet it appears it might be presented as firstfruits, or in the way of tythes, which were designed for the sustenance of the priests.

|—Bagster. Ver. 16. Beside their genealogy.—(The priests and Levites, as they attended in their courses, had a certain portion allotted to them, according to their office and charge. The sons of the priests, who attended with them, as it seems, from three years of age, to learn the work of the sanctuary, previously to the time of their officiating, had a provision made for them. A list was taken of the wives, and of the other children, of the priests and Levites, and a proportionable allowance was assigned them: as also to those, who were excluded or excused from attendance; and for all of those who were absent from the temple, employed as magistrates and teachers in their several districts.—Thus none appropriated an exorbitant proportion, and none wanted a suitable provision: “for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness;” they separated themselves from other employments, and devoted themselves to serve God.

]—Bagster.