2 Chronicles 31

1 Now when all this was finished, all Yisra'el who were present went out to the cities of Yehudah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Yehudah and Binyamin, in Efrayim also and Menashsheh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Yisra'el returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
2 Hizkiyahu appointed the courses of the Kohanim and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the Kohanim and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace-offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp 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 Shabbatot, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
4 Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Yerushalayim to give the portion of the Kohanim and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of the LORD.
5 As soon as the mitzvah came abroad, the children of Yisra'el gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
6 The children of Yisra'el and Yehudah, who lived in the cities of Yehudah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to 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 When Hizkiyahu and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Yisra'el.
9 Then Hizkiyahu questioned the Kohanim and the Levites concerning the heaps.
10 `Azaryah the chief Kohen, of the house of Tzadok, answered him and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
11 Then Hizkiyahu commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them.
12 They brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them Kananyahu the Levite was ruler, and Shim`i his brother was second.
13 Yechi'el, and `Azazyahu, and Nachat, and `Asa'el, and Yerimot, and Yozavad, and Eli'el, and Yismakhyahu, and Machat, and Benayah, were overseers under the hand of Kananyahu and Shim`i his brother, by the appointment of Hizkiyahu the king, and `Azaryah the ruler of the house of God.
14 Kore the son of Yimna the Levite, the porter at the east [gate], was over the freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD, and the most holy things.
15 Under him were `Eden, and Minyamin, and Yeshua, and Shemayah, Amaryah, and Shekhanyahu, in the cities of the Kohanim, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
16 besides those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into the house of the LORD, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their courses;
17 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of the Kohanim by their fathers' houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their courses;
18 and those who were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.
19 Also for the sons of Aharon the Kohanim, who were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the Kohanim, and to all who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.
20 Thus did Hizkiyahu throughout all Yehudah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.
21 In every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the mitzvot, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

2 Chronicles 31 Commentary

Chapter 31

Hezekiah destroys idolatry.

- After the passover, the people of Israel applied with vigour to destroy the monuments of idolatry. Public ordinances should stir us up to cleanse our hearts, our houses, and shops, from the filth of sin, and the idolatry of covetousness, and to excite others to do the same. The after-improvement of solemn ordinances, is of the greatest importance to personal, family, and public religion. When they had tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance in the late passover, they were free in maintaining the temple service. Those who enjoy the benefit of a settled ministry, will not grudge the expense of it. In all that Hezekiah attempted in God's service, he was earnest and single in his aim and dependence, and was prospered accordingly. Whether we have few or many talents intrusted to us, may we thus seek to improve them, and encourage others to do the same. What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God, will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.

Chapter Summary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 31

This chapter begins with the destruction of idolatrous worship, the appointment of the courses of the priests and Levites, and the royal bounty for sacrifices, 2Ch 31:1-3, next follows the order Hezekiah gave, that the people at Jerusalem, and throughout the land, should make the proper provision for the priests and Levites, as the law directed; and which was cheerfully complied with, and the firstfruits and tithes were brought in, in great abundance, insomuch that there was enough, and plenty left, 2Ch 31:4-10, wherefore chambers were prepared in the temple to lay it up in, and persons appointed to be the overseers of it, and to distribute it faithfully to their brethren and their families, to small and great, 2Ch 31:11-19, and the chapter is closed in praise of the works of Hezekiah, and the success that attended him, 2Ch 31:20,21.

2 Chronicles 31 Commentaries

The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.