2 Chronicles 30
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15. the priests and the Levites were ashamed--Though the Levites are associated in this statement, the priests were principally referred to; those of them who had been dilatory or negligent in sanctifying themselves ( 2 Chronicles 29:34 ) were put to the blush and stimulated to their duty by the greater alacrity and zeal of the people.
16-18. the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites--This was a deviation from the established rules and practices in presenting the offerings of the temple. The reason was, that many present on the occasion having not sanctified themselves, the Levites slaughtered the paschal victims everyone that was unclean. At other times the heads of families killed the lambs themselves, the priests receiving the blood from their hands and presenting it on the altar. Multitudes of the Israelites, especially from certain tribes ( 2 Chronicles 30:18 ), were in this unsanctified state, and yet they ate the passover--an exceptional feature and one opposed to the law ( Numbers 9:6 ); but this exception was allowed in answer to Hezekiah's prayer ( 2 Chronicles 30:18-20 ).
20. the Lord . . . healed the people--We imagine the whole affair to have been the following: In consequence of their transgressions they had cause to fear disease and even death ( Leviticus 15:31 ). Hezekiah prayed for the nation, which was on the point of being diseased, and might therefore be regarded as sick already [BERTHEAU].
21-24. the children of Israel . . . kept the feast--The time appointed by the law for the continuance of the feast was seven days [ Exodus 12:15 , 13:6 , Leviticus 23:6 ]; but in consequence of its having been allowed to fall so long into desuetude, they doubled the period of celebration and kept it fourteen days with unabated satisfaction and joy. Materials for the additional sacrificial meals were supplied by the munificence of the king and the princes.
24. and a great number of priests sanctified themselves--so that there would be a sufficient number of hands for the additional services.