2 Chronicles 30
DortHizkia exhorteth all Israel, to come to Jerusalem, and to keep the lords Pass-over, vers.1. The exhortation is derided by many, accepted by others, who come to Jerusalem, 10. Where they destroy idolatry, 14. And keep the feast of Pass-over, 15. Hizkia prayeth unto God for those that had not before cleansed themselves, as they ought to have done, 17. The feast is prolonged, 23. The Priests, and Levites bless the people, 27.
1. After that Jehizkia sent [To wit, messengers, or ambassadors] to all Israel, [to wit, that were under his dominion. See above chap.15.on v.17. & 21.on v.2.] and Juda: and wrote letters also to Ephraim, and Manasseh, [and the rest of the ten Tribes, below vers.5. who yet were left in the land, and were rather in a loving and friendly way invited by him, than as the rest, by way of authority commanded to appear at this feast] that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem: to keep the Pass-over [see Levit.23.on vers.5.] unto the LORD the God of Israel.
2. For the King had taken counsel with his Princes, [That is, Counsellors] and all the congregation at Jerusalem, [that is, those that represented all the congregation, as the Commissioners of the Priests, and the Fathers of the Families, that dwelt at Jerusalem. See above chap.19.8.] to keep the Pass-over, in the second month. [The ordinary time of the Feast of Pass-over was the fourteenth day of the first month, Exod.12.5. Numb.9 5. But when a lawful impendiment happened, whereby the Pass-over could not be kept that day, then it was to be kept in the month following, that is, on the fourteenth day of the second month, Numb.9.11. Now for as much as the Priests, and Levites, were the first month employed in cleansing the Temple, which they finished not till the sixteenth day of the same month, above chap.29.17. in that respect they could not keep the ordinary time for the celebration of the Pass-over, which was a month after.]
3. For they could not keep it at that time, [To wit, when they were busied in cleansing the Temple; which time, was the ordinary time, to keep the Pass-over] because the Priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves at Jerusalem. [Two causes are here more added, wherefore the Passover could not be kept at the usual or ordinary time. First, because the priests even in the time of cleansing the Temple, had not hallowed all things, or, the hallowed things were not fully hallowed. Secondly, because at that time the people were not yet gathered together from all parts or places mentioned above vers.1.]
4. And this thing was right in the eyes of the King, and in the eyes of all the congregation.
5. So they appointed it, [Or, they decreed. Hebr. made the word, or, thing to stand] that a voice [to wit, of proclamation. So Exod.36.6. In stead of the word voice the word proclamation is put, 1 Kings 22:36.] should go thorough out all Israel from Ber-Seba to Dan, [that is, from the South-end of the land of Canaan to the North-end. See Judges 20:1. and 1 Kings 4.on vers.25.] that they should come, to keep the Pass-over unto the LORD the God of Israel in Jerusalem: for they had not kept it of a long (time,) as it was written. [Or, was mended the same in his Word. So below vers.18.]
6. The runners [That is, the Posts, or, Messengers. So below vers.10.] then went away with the Letters from the hand of the King, and of his princes thorough out all Israel, and Juda, and according to the command of the King, saying; Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, then he will return to the escaped, [Hebr. escaping. So 2 Kings 19:30,31. See the Annotations, God is said to return unto men, when he is gracious unto them, coming to them with his favors and mercies, from whom he seemed to have departed by his Judgements. Psalm 90 13. Zach.1.3.] which are remaining to you from the hands of 1 Chron.5.26. and Tiglath-Pilezer, Kings 15.29. and above chap.28.20.]
7. And be not like your fathers, and like your brethren, which transgressed against the LORD the God of their fathers: therefore he gave them up to desolation, [compare above chap.29.8.] according as you see.
8. Now harden not you neck, [See of this phrase, Exod.32.on vers.9.] as your fathers (did:) give the hand unto the LORD, [that is, be ye obedient and faithful unto him: spoken by way of comparison, as the giving of the hand is so used among men: so 1 Chron.29.24. Ezra 10:19. Jerem.50.15. Some take it in this sense; give the hand unto the LORD; that is, give unto him the glory of his power] and enter into his Sanctuary, [that is, into his Temple, where they were to appear in the Court of the people] which he hath sanctified [see Levit.8.on vers.10.] for ever, [see Genes.13.on ver.15.] and serve the LORD your God; then shall the heat of his wrath turn away from you.
9. For when ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren, and your children shall find mercy [Hebr. shall be for mercy. See above at the end of the sixeth verse] before the face of those that led them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious, and merciful, [see Exod.34 7.] and will not turn away (the) face from you, if ye return unto him.
10. So the runners went on, from city to city, thorough the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, unto Zebulon: but they [Namely, the Israelites] laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.
11. Never the less, some of Aser, and Manasseh, and of Zebulon [That is, of the Tribe of Aser, and of Manasseh, etc.] humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
12. Also in Juda the hand of God [That is, the powerful working and operation of God] was, giving them one kind of heart, [that is, affection, inclination, will, purpose. Compare 1 Chron.22.17. Jer.32.39. Acts 4:32.] to do the command of the King, and of the Princes, [the meaning is, that God by his Spirit did effectually work a good affection or inclination in their hearts, to obey this pious command of the King] according to the word of the LORD. [viz. whereby it was commanded to keep the Feast of the Pass-over, Exod.12.6. Lev.23.5. Numb.9.5.]
13. And (there) assembled at Jerusalem much people, to keep the feast of unleavened (bread) (loaves,) in the second month: [See above on vers.2.] a very great congregation. [Hebr. in, or, to multitude greatly.]
14. And they gat them up, and took away the altars, that were at Jerusalem: [Meaning, the idolatrous altars, which Achaz, against the word of God, had here and there set up in the street at Jerusalem, to offer thereupon beasts unto Idols, 2 Chron.28.24.] moreover, they took away all incense-instruments, [as incense-vessels, pans, bowls. Others, incense-altars: or, incense-places] the which they cast into the brook Kidron.
15. Then they killed the Pass-over, [That is, the Paschal Lamb. See Exod.12.on vers.21.] on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the Priests [namely, those that had not before cleansed themselves. See above chap.29.on vers.34. and here vers.3.] and the Levites were ashamed, [to wit, of their negligence when they saw that the zeal not onely of their companions and fellow-priests, was greater in this business, than their wars] and had sanctified themselves, [see above chap.29.on vers.5.] and had brought burnt-offerings into the house of the LORD.
16. And they stood in their station, after their manner, according to the law of Moseh, the man of God: [That is, in their due places, which were appointed to them by God. Compare below chap.35.10.] the Priests sprinkled the bloud, (receiving it) of the hand of the Levites.
17. For there was a multitude in that congregation, that had not hallowed themselves: therefore the Levites were over the killing of the Paschal lambs; [Hebr. Pesachim: that is, of the passings by, or, of the Pass-overs: meaning the Lambs, that were killed in remembererance of the Angels passing by, or passing over, Exod. 12. Vers.13.] for every one that was not clean, to hallow (them) unto the LORD. [The meaning is, in as much as every father of the Family was to kill his Paschal Lamb in his own house, Exod.12. vers.3. and that many had not hallowed themselves for it, that therefore the Levites were to do this work in their stead.]
18. For a multitude of the people, many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issaschar, and Zebulon had not cleansed themselves, but did eat the Pass-over, not according as is written: [see above on vers.5.] but Jehizkia prayed for them, saying; The LORD, that is good, make atonement for (him.)
19. (That) hath disposed his whole heart, [See above chap.19.on vers.3.] to seek the LORD God, the God of his fathers: although not according to the cleanness of the Sanctuary. [Meaning, the Ceremonial cleanness, which is here distinguished from that which is Moral, consisting in a firm and settled resolution of heart to seek God. Hizkia prayeth here, that the LORD would be pleased to forgive them their uncleanness, and that he would likewise be pleased to work in them spiritual sanctification by his holy spirit. Others, expiate for ever every one that prepareth his heart, etc.]
20. And the LORD hearkened to Jehizkia, and healed the people. [That is, he forgave them their sins, and sanctified them by his spirit, and punished them not for their Ceremonial uncleanness. Others understand this of the curing of some bodily disease, which God sent upon the people, because they had not cleansed themselves. Compare 1 Cor.11.30.]
21. So the children of Israel, that were found at Jerusalem, [That is, were present there, and were come to this Feast] kept the feast of unleavened (bread) (loaves,) seven days with great gladness: now the Levites, and the Priests praised the LORD day by day, [that is, as long as the Feast lasted. So below chap.31.1.] with loud sounding instruments of the LORD. [Hebr. with instruments of strength: that is, which gave great sound: such as is the sound of Trumpets. Others, (praising) with instruments the power of the LORD.]
22. and Jehizkia spake according to the heart of all the Levites, [That is, that which was acceptable unto them, and most delightful to hear. See Genes.34.on vers.3.] that had understanding in the good knowledge of the LORD: [that is, of the things that belonged to the service of the Lord. Others, that taught the good knowledge of the LORD, or, that gave heed to the good knowledge of the LORD] and they [to wit, those that kept the Feast of the Pass-over] did eat (the offerings) of the set feast seven days: [Hebr. they did eat the set feast: that is, the (sacrifices) that were to be eaten on the feast day. So 2 Kings 18:31. every man to eat his (own) vine, and his (own) fig-tree; is, to eat the fruit thereof] offering thank-offerings, and praising the LORD, the God of their fathers.
23. Now when all the congregation had taken counsel to keep other seven days, they kept seven days more with gladness.
24. For Jehizkia the king of Juda did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks, and seven thousand sheep, and the Princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks, and ten thousand sheep: [Hebr. lifted up for the congregation, and so in the sequel; that is, gave or presented to the congregation, to be offered: so Numb.31.28. 2 Chron. 35.v.7,8. The meaning is, that these beasts were given to the congregation by the King, and his Princes, for thank-offerings for them, whereof they then also had their share, to eat it with joicing before the LORD] now the Priests had hallowed themselves in multitude, (or in great quantity and abundance.) [To wit, that they might be sit for to offer the forementioned beasts unto the LORD.]
25. And all the congregation of Juda, rejoiced, together with the Priests and the Levites, and all the congregation of those, that were come out of Israel: [Out of the ten Tribes. See above vers.11. and 18.] also the strangers, that were come out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Juda. [Who were no Israelites, nor Jews, by descent; but notwithstanding were converted to the true God, and were circumcised, and so ingrafted into the people of God: Otherwise they might not have eaten of the Pass-over, Exod.12.48.]
26. So there was great joy at Jerusalem; for from the days of Salomon the son of David the King of Israel, the like had not been in Israel. [The meaning is, those days being excepted: that is, since the time of Rehabeam, wherein Israel had rent themselves from Juda, they never kept such a Pass-over-feast with them.]
27. Then the Levitical Priests [That is, those that came of Levi] stood up, and blessed the people; [according to that charge given to the Priests, Num.6.23.] and their voice was heard: [to wit, of God, and that according to his promise, Numb.6.27.] for their prayer came (up) to his holy dwelling place [Hebr. to the dwelling place of his holiness: to wit, the Lords, that is, to his holy dwelling place] into heaven.