And all the congregation worshipped ,.... Bowed their heads as a token of divine adoration: and the singers sang ; both with vocal and instrumental music, who were the Levites: and the trumpeters sounded ; their silver trumpets; these were the priests: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished ; with all appertaining to it, the meat and drink offerings. read more
The reformation of Hezekiah-the thing done suddenly. Hezekiah was the thirteenth of the twenty kings of the line of Judah; but when his reign of twenty-nine years had run to its end, as many as two hundred and eighty-two yearn had sped away of the three hundred and ninety-two of the duration of the line up to the date of the Captivity. It may also be remembered that, of the seven reigns following upon that of Hezekiah, two (those of Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin) lasted only three months each.... read more
The re-dedication of the temple. I. THE TIME OF THE CEREMONY . Early on the following morning. Hezekiah lost not a moment in entering upon the good work his heart contemplated ( 2 Chronicles 29:10 ), rising up with next day's dawn, gathering the rulers of the city, and proceeding with them to the house of the Lord. In this he acted in accordance with Jehovah's instructions to Moses at Sinai ( Exodus 34:2 ); with the example of Abraham ( Genesis 22:2 ), Jacob ( Genesis... read more
The public worship of God. The record of the latter part of the proceedings on this solemn occasion at Jerusalem may well suggest to us some aspects of public worship at all times. I. ANTICIPATIVE SERVICE . David, who lived several generations before, bad his hand in that good work. The Levites played with "the instruments of David King of Israel" ( 2 Chronicles 29:27 ); and they "sang praise with the words of David and of Asaph" ( 2 Chronicles 29:30 ). A very great and... read more
2 Chronicles 29:28. And all the congregation worshipped The king and all present testified their consent to, and concurrence in, all that was done by bowing their heads and worshipping, expressing an awful veneration for the divine majesty by postures of adoration. It is not enough for us to be where God is worshipped; if we do not ourselves worship him, and that not with bodily exercise only, which profits little, but with the heart. read more
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
M. Hezekiah chs. 29-32In contrast to Ahaz, we can see Hezekiah’s love for Yahweh in how he cared for the temple. Ahaz’s reign was full of war, but Hezekiah enjoyed peace. God rewarded Hezekiah’s spiritual restoration of Judah with a remarkable military deliverance. Yet "good king" Hezekiah was not the completely faithful Son of David whose kingdom God had promised to establish forever (1 Chronicles 17:11-14)."He is the ’golden boy’ of Chronicles." [Note: Wilcock, p. 242.] The Chronicler gave... read more
1. The cleansing and rededication of the temple ch. 29Ahaz had closed the temple and had set up other centers of worship throughout the land (2 Chronicles 28:24-25). Hezekiah reopened the temple and cleansed it in preparation for reusing it (2 Chronicles 29:3; 2 Chronicles 29:5). Whereas the writer of Kings described Hezekiah’s religious reforms in only one verse (2 Kings 18:4), the Chronicler devoted three chapters to them (chs. 29-31). Hezekiah wanted to rededicate the nation to God (2... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 29:20-36
The temple being cleansed, we have here an account of the good use that was immediately made of it. A solemn assembly was called to meet the king at the temple, the very next day (2 Chron. 29:20); and very glad, no doubt, all the good people in Jerusalem were, when it was said, Let us go up to the house of the Lord, Ps. 122:1. As soon as Hezekiah heard that the temple was ready for him he lost no time, but made it appear that he was ready for it. He rose early to go up to the house of the... read more