when. After, not before. All true reformation begins within and works outward. Compare Philippians 1:2 , Philippians 1:12 , Philippians 1:13 . all Israel. See note on 2 Chronicles 30:1 . present = found. cities. Jerusalem had been cleansed before the passover. Compare 2 Chronicles 30:14 . groves = the 'Asherim. App-42 . children = sons. read more
THE PROSPERITY OF ISRAEL UNDER HEZEKIAH;THE PEOPLE DESTROY THE PILLARS; THE ASHERIM; AND THE HIGH PLACES"Now when this was all finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and brake down the high places and the altars out of all Judah, Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, in their own cities." read more
2 Chronicles 31:1. In Ephraim also, and Manasseh— Though these tribes made part of Hoshea's dominions, yet Hezekiah might direct this abolition of idolatry in them, either in virtue of a law which bound Israel as well as Judah, and required the extirpation of these things in the whole land of Caanan; or by the special impulse and direction of God's spirit, which puts men upon heroic actions, though not to be drawn into imitation; or, out of a firm persuasion that his neighbour Hoshea, who had... read more
1. all Israel . . . present went out to the cities of Judah—The solemnities of this paschal season left a deep and salutary impression on the minds of the assembled worshippers; attachment to the ancient institutions of their country was extensively revived; ardor in the service of God animated every bosom; and under the impulse of the devout feelings inspired by the occasion, they took measures at the close of the passover for extirpating idolatrous statues and altars out of every city, as at... read more
2. Hezekiah’s Passover 30:1-31:1"Following the restoration of the temple and its services in ch. 29, the emphasis now falls heavily upon Hezekiah’s strenuous efforts to reunite in worship the hitherto separated peoples of the north and south." [Note: Williamson, 1 and 2 . . ., p. 360.] Hezekiah wanted all the Israelites, namely, those left in the Northern Kingdom following its captivity, as well as the Judahites, to rededicate themselves to Yahweh (2 Chronicles 30:1-9). Many in Israel had no... read more
Reign of Hezekiah (continued)This chapter gives an account of Hezekiah’s reorganisation of the Temple service.2. Appointed the courses] The succession (see 1 Chronicles 23-26) had been suspended during the idolatry of the previous reigns, and required to be rearranged. The tents of the Lord] The phrase is borrowed from the conditions that prevailed in the wilderness.3. The king’s portion, etc.] The king set an example to his subjects by providing for the Sacrifices named, for which see Numbers... read more
(1) Destruction of the images and high places in both kingdoms. (Comp. 2 Kings 18:4.)Now when all this was finished.—And when they had finished all this—that is, the business of the Passover.All Israel that were present went out.—Their iconoclastic zeal had been thoroughly roused by the festival in which they had just taken part.The images.—Maççebôth, “pillars.” (See Hosea 3:4, and 2 Chronicles 14:2.)The groves.—The Ashçrîm. The sacred trunks, emblematic of physical fertility. (Comp. Hosea... read more
HEZEKIAH: THE RELIGIOUS VALUE OF MUSIC2 Chronicles 29:1-36; 2 Chronicles 30:1-27; 2 Chronicles 31:1-21; 2 Chronicles 32:1-33THE bent of the chronicler’s mind is well illustrated by the proportion of space assigned to ritual by him and by the book of Kings respectively. In the latter a few lines only are devoted to ritual, and the bulk of the space is given to the invasion of Sennacherib, the embassy from Babylon, etc., while in Chronicles ritual occupies about three times as many verses as... read more
CHAPTER 31 The Results of the Revival 1. The destruction of the false worship (2 Chronicles 31:1 ) 2. The king’s appointments (2 Chronicles 31:2-21 ) All was done by Hezekiah for the orderly continuance of the service in the house of the LORD. The order of the courses of the priests, after David’s arrangement, which had been abandoned during the preceding apostasy, was once more settled. What was needed for the public sacrifices of the congregation was willingly given, as well as other... read more
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Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 31:1-21
Hezekiah’s religious reforms (29:1-31:21)Immediately he became king, Hezekiah began a thorough reformation of Judah’s religion. This was prompted partly by the preaching of the prophet Micah (Jeremiah 26:17-19; see notes on 2 Kings 18:1-12).The Chronicler gives a detailed account of Hezekiah’s work, particularly that part of it which affected the temple, the priests and the Levites. Hezekiah called a meeting of priests and Levites and told them plainly that neglect of the temple was the reason... read more