2 Chronicles 31

2 Chronicles 31:1-12

We have here, 1. The defractions of the remainder of idolatry, vers. 1. 2. The ministers of the sanctuary employed and provided for, vers. 2—10. 3. Commissioners appointed for the due distribution of what was brought in for their maintenance, vers. 11—19. 4. Hezekiah’s fourivity in all his undertakings, vers. 20, 21.

1. 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. 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. 3. 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 tabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feaths, as it is written in the law of the LORD. 4. 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. 5. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the first fruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field, and the time of all things brought they in abundantly. 6. And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the time of corn and sheep, and the time of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. 7. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 8. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel. 9. Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 10. 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 it this great store.

The gracious imposition 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 relief, not only in Judah, but also in Ephraim and Manasseh; nor 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.

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(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 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, tabbaths, and festivals; and he commanded his people to contribute to to good a work, for the encouragement of God’s ministers in their labours. Note, (1.) The support of a godly ministry will be the care of wife and pious princes. (2.) Their defence to be encouraged, who labour in the word and doctrine. (3.) God never intended any dooms should be led in his lives. (4.) Whether we want or abound here, we know, if we are faithful, we cannot at last lose our reward.

3. The people very readily obeyed the king’s command; their feittings, 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 hairdry. The quantity attracted the king’s enquiry, and the high-priest informed him of God’s blessing on the people, and that these just does afforded them a plentiful maintenance, and enough for winter’s time. For such mercies the king and princes blessed the Lord, and commanded the people for their readiness and faithful contribution. Note, (1.) None were ever loben by a conscientious rendering to God the things that are God. (2.) When we got the people, God must be acknowledged as the blessed author of it. (3.) They who do well, deserve commendation. (4.) The soul that hath posited by God’s ministers, will never grudge them a maintenance.

4. Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare a chamber, in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, 12. And brought in the offerings, and the tithes, and the dedicate things faithfully: over which Canaanah the Levite was ruler, and Shimni his brother was the next. 13. And Jehel, and Azariah, and Mahath, and Afal, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eil, and Imachiah, and Mahath, and Benalah, were overseers. Under the hand of Canaanah, and Shimni his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. 14. And Koro the son of Immah the Levite, the porter toward the eal, was over the free-will-offerings of God, to distribute the idolatrous of the LORD, and the most holy things. 15. And next him were Eden, and Minianin, and Jefuna, and Shemaiah, Azariah, and Shezamah, in the cities of the priests, in their set offices, to give to their brethren by the courses, as well to the great as to the small. 16. Before their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entreth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges, according to their courses; 17. Both 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. 18. 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. 19. 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. 20. And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. 21. 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.

2 Chronicles 31:11-21

We have here,

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 whilst they who in courts waited in the temple, with their sons from three years old and upwards, were entirely provided for, that they might wait on the Lord without distraction, they who lived in the cities or villages were not neglected; but every one received a proportionate supply, according to the large parts of their families. Note, (1.) Wife ceremony is the way to secure abiding plenty. (2.) They who wait upon the Lord with diligence, may confidently trust him for a provision. (3.) Ministers familiar, as well as themselves, should be confident, and taken care of. (4.) The unequal distribution of church reve-

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days of Hezekiah. 27. ¶ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honour: and he made himself treasures for silver and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for florids, and for all manner of pleasant jewels. 28. Store-houses also for the increase of corn, and wine, and oil; and stalls for all manner of beads, and corn for flocks. 29. Moreover, he proved, of him cities, and possessions of flocks, and heads in abundance, for God had given him substance very much. 30. ¶ This time Hezekiah’s also feigned the upper water-course of Gihon, and brought it straight down to the well-side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works. 31. ¶ Handout, in the heifers of the gentrification of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him an enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart. 32. ¶ Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his goodness, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amos, and in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel. 33. And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the chiefest of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honour at his death: and Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

1. 23-25. Hezekiah’s reign concludes gloriously, notwithstanding the full which is here recorded.

2. Hezekiah’s sickness and recovery, more largely treated of before, are here but just mentioned. But,

3. His sin and recovery have several particulars more than in a King’s ex. [1.] The tenacity of the king of Babylon was intended not to much to congratulate him on his recovery, of his victory, as to enquire into the wonder of the sin’s going back at the prophet’s word. [2.] He did not suitably improve his mercies, but instead of being humbled before God, grew proud on the influence of his favour, and the honour and respect paid him by the neighbouring nations. Note, [1.] This we can never repay the obligations we owe to God, the tribute he repulses is at least a grateful heart. [2.] Pride is the holy sin: even God’s gifts and graces may afford a handle for self-complacence. We need ever pray that God would chush us with humility. [3.] God in this instance left him to his own heart, to convince him how weak and wretched he must be, if but a moment desirous of his support. [4.] His sin provoked the Divine displeasure. Pride in God’s people is especially offensive to him. [5.] His humiliation, in which the people joined him, prevented the immediate execution of the threatened judgments. Note, [1.] Heart has must be repeated of, or they will destroy us. [2.] When God gives a spirit of humiliation, it is a proof of his reconciliation.

4. Hezekiah’s days ended prosperously. His riches and treasures were greatly increased. The supply of the city with water from the stream of Gihon, is remarked among his noble works; many other of which, as well as a farther account of his goodness, are written in the books of Isaiah and Kings. At last death removed him to a better crown, and the people, afflicted with the loss of so great and good a king, shewed him every distinguished honour, by laying him in the noblest sepulchre of his fathers, burning spices, and lamenting him with no feigned grief. Note, They who have lived reverenced and respected, will in death be justly lamented.