Nevertheless, divers of Asher, and Manasseh, and of Zebulun, humbled themselves ,.... Confessed their idolatries and impieties, and expressed sorrow and repentance for them, and were willing to obey the commands of God, and attend his worship and ordinances: and came to Jerusalem ; to keep the passover. read more
Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart ,.... To make them unanimous in this service, hearty and willing to it, to a man, which was owing to the power and efficacy of divine grace: to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the Lord ; to keep the passover, which they did not only in obedience to their superiors, and their orders, but considering these as agreeable to the word and will of God. read more
Hezekiah sent to all Israel - It is not easy to find out how this was permitted by the king of Israel; but it is generally allowed that Hoshea, who then reigned over Israel, was one of their best kings. And as the Jews allow that at this time both the golden calves had been carried away by the Assyrians, - that at Dan by Tiglath-pileser, and that at Bethel by Shalmaneser, - the people who chose to worship Jehovah at Jerusalem were freely permitted to do it, and Hezekiah had... read more
In the second month - In Ijar, as they could not celebrate it in Nisan, the fourteenth of which month was the proper time. But as they could not complete the purgation of the temple, till the sixteenth of that month, therefore they were obliged to hold it now, or else adjourn it till the next year, which would have been fatal to that spirit of reformation which had now taken place. The law itself had given permission to those who were at a distance, and could not attend to the... read more
So the posts went - רצים ratsim , the runners or couriers; persons who were usually employed to carry messages; men who were light of foot, and confidential. read more
And will not turn away his face from you - Well expressed by the Targum: "For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not cause his majesty to ascend up from among you, if ye will return to his fear." The shechinah, of which the Targumist speaks, is the dwelling of the Divine Presence among men, and the visible symbol of that presence. read more
Hezekiah sent … wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh . Some have sought to bring into the appearance of harmony the two first clauses of this verse by supposing that the former clause purports to say that Hezekiah sent messengers to all Israel and Judah, and in particular letters in addition to Ephraim and Manasseh, the chief tribes of the northern kingdom and the Joseph tribes. Verses 6 and 10, however, seem to dispose effectually of this offer of explanation; while another... read more
Letters to Ephraim: generosity. Hezekiah now took a very bold and decided course. There had been no direct dealings between the king or court of Judah and the people of Ephraim (Israel) since the kingdom of David was rent in twain. If we understand that this action was taken in the first year of his reign, while Hoshea was on the throne of Samaria, it certainly was bold even to audacity, and was calculated to rouse the resentment of that ruler. If, however, we hold (with Keil and others)... read more
Preparations for a grand national Passover. I. A PASSOVER DECIDED ON . ( 2 Chronicles 30:1 , 2 Chronicles 30:5 .) 1 . By whom ! Hezekiah, his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, with both of whom he had taken counsel. The important step, not adopted without deliberation, was concurred in by the entire body of the people ( 2 Chronicles 30:4 ). If any in the nation held aloof, these were the priests and the Levites ( 2 Chronicles 30:15 ). 2 . For whom... read more
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John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 30:10
So the posts passed from city to city, through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, even unto Zebulun ,.... Through all the ten tribes, not being hindered or forbid by Hoshea king of Israel, who was one of the best of their kings, and was very willing his people should go and worship at Jerusalem if they thought fit; so that they had no excuse to make, as before, that they were forbid by their king going thither; and which it is very probable Hezekiah knew, and therefore took the freedom to... read more