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.... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 2. _In the gates... [ Continue Reading ]
2 Chronicles 31:3 [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 sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as [it is] written in the law of the LORD. Ver. 3. He ap... [ Continue Reading ]
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. Ver. 4. _That they might be encouraged._] That having των αναγκαιων χωρηγιαν, as Chrysostom hath it, a liberal subsistence, they might s... [ Continue Reading ]
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly. Ver. 5. _And as soon as the commandment came abroad._] Heb., Bra... [ Continue Reading ]
And [concerning] the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid [them] by heaps. Ver. 6. _Which were consecrated unto the Lord,_] _i.e., _ Su... [ Continue Reading ]
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished [them] in the seventh month. Ver. 7. _In the third month._] About pentecost which is called the feast of harvest. _ They began to lay the foundation of the heaps._] That is, Of the grain stacks, brought by the people in... [ Continue Reading ]
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. Ver. 8. _They blessed the Lord._] For so good a year; but especially for so good a frame of spirit in the people.... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. Ver. 9. _Concerning the heaps._] See on 2 Chronicles 31:7 .... [ Continue Reading ]
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 [is] this great store. Ver. 10. _And A... [ Continue Reading ]
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared [them], Ver. 11. _To prepare chambers._] Or, Storehouses. Prepared they were before by Solomon: but now they were put in order, and made fit for such a use.... [ Continue Reading ]
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated [things] faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite [was] ruler, and Shimei his brother [was] the next. Ver. 12. _And brought in the offerings._] Sin offerings and thank offerings. _ And the dedicated things._] See on 2 Chronicles 31:6.... [ Continue Reading ]
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, [were] overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. Ver. 13. _At the com... [ Continue Reading ]
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, [was] over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things. Ver. 14. _Was over the freewill offerings of God._] _Super liberalitates Dei,_ called also the most holy things or sanctitie... [ Continue Reading ]
And next him [were] Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in [their] set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: Ver. 15. _To give to their brethren by courses._] In a geometrical proportion.... [ Continue Reading ]
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, [even] unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses; Ver. 16. _From three years old._] For these also there was maintenance allotted and allo... [ Continue Reading ]
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: Ver. 18. _Of all their little ones, their wives, &c._] Their wives and children depended upon them for a mai... [ Continue Reading ]
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God. Ver. 20. _And wrought that which was good, &c._] This his uprightness was the best stake in his hedge, when the news of death made all crack. Isa 38:3... [ Continue Reading ]