2 Chronicles 31

Hizkia causeth all idolatry works to be broken down, ver. 1,etc. He putteth the Priests, and the Levites in their office, 2. He also taketh order for their maintenance, 4. He causeth chambers to be made, to gather in their revenues, and of the Levites appointeth certain persons to be receivers, and treasurers, 11. Hizkia continueth pious, and blessed, 20.

1. Now when they had finshed all this, [To wit, that concerned the keeping of the great and high feast of Pass-over, recorded in the former Chapter] all the Israelites, that were there found, went out, to the cities of Juda, and brake (in pieces) the images that were set up, [see Lev.26.on vers.30.] and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places, [see of the groves, and high places, made to the honor and service of Idols, Levit.26.on vers.30.] and the altars, out of all Juda, and Benjamin, also in Ephraim, and Manasseh, [to wit, in the cities, which those of Juda had taken away from the Kingdom of Israel. See above chap.13.19. and 15.8.] until they had utterly brought nothing: [Others, until they had made an end] then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession into their (own) cities.

2. And Hizkia appointed the divisions of the Priests, and of the Levites [See above chap.8.on vers.14.] after their divisions, every man according to his service, the Priests, and the Levites for the burnt-offering, and for the thank-offerings; to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise [to wit, the Lord] in the gate of the camps of the LORD. [to wit, of the Temple, where the Priests and the Levites, in their order and division, were every one to heed and observe their ministery and service, as in a camp. Compare herewith the annotate. Num.4.on vers.3.]

3. Also [To wit, HIzki9a appointed] the kings portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings; for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, [see of these, Exod.29.38,39, etc. & Num.28.v.3,4, etc.] and the burnt-offerings of the Sabbaths, [see Num.28.9,10.] and of the new moons, [see Num.28.11,12, etc.] and of the set feasts: [see Lev.23. The meaning of all these words hitherto is this; ‘Tis as if he had said; the King hath so disposed of services and offices of the temple, &c. set the same in order, to the end that every one should heed and mind his own charge, as that he also hath not left himself herein uncharged, ordaining and appointing, that the offerings mentioned here in the text, should betaken out of his own revenues. Whence it seemeth that they were formerly had and found at the charge of the treasures of the Temple; whereof see 1 Chron.26.28.] as it is written in the law of the LORD. [see Num.28.& 29.]

4. And he said unto the people, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, that they should give the portion of the Priests and Levites; [To wit, that belonged to them by Gods appointment for their maintenance, Numb.18.8, etc.] that they might be strengthened, [That is, might have time and a mind to heed their business close, and to wait upon their office, without being drawn from it, to get their livelihood some other way] in the law of the LORD. [that is, in searching, meditating, and expounding the law of the LORD, and in performing the service of God commanded in the law.]

5. When now the word brake forth, [That is, when now that commandment of the King came abraod] the children of Israel brought in many [Hebr. Multiplied] First-fruits [see of these the laws and ordinances of God, Exod.23.19. and 34.26. Levit 11.14,etc.Num.15.17,18,19, etc. Deut.26,1,2, etc.] of corn, new wine, and oil, and honey, [oth. Days. The Hebrew word signifieth honey, but is taken here by the Hebrews for days, or fruits of trees that bear sweet fruits, which in respect of their sweetness are like unto honey. For God had no where commanded in his Law, to give the first fruits of honey, but of fruits of trees, of the Earth, and of beasts] and of all the increase of the field: Also they brought in the tithes of all things, [see of these Lev.27.on v.30.] in abundance.

6. And the children of Israel and Juda, that dwelt in the cities of Juda; they also brought (in) the tithes of oxen, and of sheep, and the tithes of holy things, which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and made many heaps. [Hebr. heaps, heaps. See Gen.14.on vers. 10.]

7. In the third month [To wit, of the holy or Ecclesiastical year. See above chap.15.on ver.10. and Exod.12.on vers.2. In this month harvest begun in Canaan] they began to lay the foundation of those heaps: [that is, to make the first beginning of those heaps] and they finished (them) in the seveneth month. [see of this month, Lev.23.on vers.14. It did much agree with our September, when the fruits that land were carried into the barnes.]

8. Now when Jehizkia and the Princes came, and saw those heaps; they blessed the LORD, [that is, thanked and praised the Lord, for giving the people an heart, to bring in his gift so freely and willingly. See Genes.14.20. and the annotate.] and his people Israel: [to bless men, is to wish all good and happiness unto them. Compare Gen.31.35. and the annotate.]

9. And Jehizkia enquired of the Priests and the Levites concerning those heaps.

10. And Azaria the chief Priest [Hebr. the Priest the head, or, that was the head. So 2 Kings 25:18. below chap.24.6. He is only called the head, namely, of the Priests] of the house of zadok, spake unto him, and said; since they began to bring this heaving [That is, these gifts and offerings. For the word heaving is here taken in a general signification. See Num.5.on vers.9.] unto the house of the LORD, there hath been to eat and to be satisfied, yea to leave (even) unto abundance; for the LORD hath blessed his people, [that is, done them good. See Gen.12.on v.2.] so that this great store is left. [or, so that which is here present, and which ye see.]

11. Then Jehizkia said that they should prepared [that is, make ready] chambers at the house of the LORD, [see of these chambers, 1 Kings 6:5. and the annotate.] and they prepared them.

12. Into them they brought the heaving, and the tithes, and the hallowed things in faithfulness, and over them Chonania the Levite was chief, and Simei his brother was the second. [That is, Chonania was the chiefest treasurer, who was set over these treasures of the Temple; and next to him was Simei his brother, as an under commissioner; and under him were the other receivers that are named in the following verse. See the ordinance for this, 1 Chron.26.20,21.]

13. But Jehiel, and Azaia, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Jismachia, and Mahath, and Benaja, were Overseers, under the hand of Chonania, and Simei his brother, by the command of the king Jehizkia, and of Azaria the Ruler, [Or, Leader, that is, the chief Priest, above vers.10.] of the house of the LORD.

14. And Kore the son of Jimna the Levite, the porter toward the East, [That is, at the East-gate of the temple. See of this gate above chapter 23. On vers.5.] was over the free will gifts of God, to distributed [Hebr. to give] the heave offering of the LORD, and the most holy things. [Hebr. the holinesses of holinesses. Meaning the remainder of the free-will meat-offering, Levit.2.3. and 10. And the sin-offerings, Lev.6. vers.18 22. The trespass-offerings, Lev.7.1. the shew-bread-(loaves), and Lev.24.9. See also Numb.18 9.]

15. And at his hand [Meaning his adjoined fellow-helpers, which were under his oversight, care and ordering] were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jesua, and Semaia, Amaria, and Sechania, in the cities of the Priests, in faithfulness, to distributed to their brethren in (their) divisions, as well to the small as to the great: [according to the law, Deut.18.8.]

16. (Besides those that were put in the genealogy of males, (from) three years old and upward) [Hebr. beside their reckoning, or their account of Families, &c. that is together with those that were set down in their generalogies of all that were males. The meaning is, that they gave not only to the Priests, that did service in the Temple, their portion, but also to their sons] unto all that entered into the house of the LORD, [That is, that were used in the service of the Temple, and consequently were to have their maintenance out of hallowed goods] for the daily work upon every day [Hebr. for the things of the day upon his day. That is, for to do there, that which was to be done every day. See the like phrase, Exod.5.13. Oth. Their daily portion for their service] for their service in their watches, according to their divisions.

17. And with those that were put in the genealogy of the Priests, according to the house of their Fathers; also the Levites from twenty years old and above, in their watches, according to their divisions: [That is, those that were written in the genealogies of the Priests, to whom not only their maintenance was given, but to the Levites likewise.]

18. Also to the genealogy with all their little ones, their wives and their sons, and their daughters, thorough all the congregation: [Meaning the Congregation of the Priests and Levites, who were to perform the worship of God in The Temple; so that they were not only maintained in their own particular persons, but also care was taken for their wives and children] For in their office [see of the Hebrew word, 1 Chron.9.o vers.22. Oth. In, or, according to their faithfulness, or, upon their fidelity: That is, trusting upon the faithfulness of the distributers (whereof mention is made vers.15.) that their temporal maintainance should be allowed them by them] they had sanctified themselves (in) holiness. [that is, sanctified themselves very carefully and diligently. Other. Hallowed themselves to the holy things.]

19. Also among all the children of Aaron, the Priests were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city [Hebr. in all (or every) city and city] men that were expressed by name, [as above ver.15.] to give portions to all the males among the Priests, and to all that were put in the genealogies [Hebr. all numbering, or, reckoning by Families] among the Levites.

20. And thus did Jehizkia in all Juda: And he did that which was good, and right, and true [Hebr. truth, or, faithfulness] before the face of the LORD his God.

21. And in all (or every) work, that he begun in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandements, to seek his God; he did (it) [See above chap.14.on vers.4.] with all his heart, and prospered.