Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708)

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S E C O N D   C H R O N I C L E S

CHAP. XXXI.

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We have here a further account of that blessed reformation of which

Hezekiah was a glorious instrument, and of the happy advances he made

in it.

I. All the remnants of idolatry were destroyed and abolished,

ver. 1.

II. The priests and Levites were set to work again, every man in his

place,

ver. 2.

III. Care was taken for their maintenance.

1. The royal bounty to the clergy, and for the support of the temple

service, was duly paid,

ver. 3.

2. Orders were given for the raising of the people’s quota,

ver. 4.

3. The people, thereupon, brought in their dues abundantly,

ver. 5-10.

4. Commissioners were appointed for the due distribution of what was

brought in,

ver. 11-19.

Lastly, Here is the general praise of Hezekiah’s sincerity in all his

undertakings,

ver. 20, 21.

Hezekiah Destroys Idolatry.	B. C. 726.

     

1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present

went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces,

and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the

altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and

Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the

children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into

their own cities.

  2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the

Levites after their courses, every man according to his service,

the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace

offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the

gates of the tents 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 sabbaths, 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 that dwelt in Jerusalem to

give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might

be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

  5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of

Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and

oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the

tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

  6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt

in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen

and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated

unto 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 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps,

they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.

  9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites

concerning the heaps.

  10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered

him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings

into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have

left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which

is left is this great store.

     

We have here an account of what was done after the passover. What was

wanting in the solemnities of preparation for it before was made up in

that which is better, a due improvement of it after. When the religious

exercises of a Lord’s day or a communion are finished we must not think

that then the work is done. No, then the hardest part of our work

begins, which is to exemplify the impressions of the ordinance upon our

minds in all the instances of a holy conversation. So it was here; when

all this was finished there was more to be done.

     

I. They applied themselves with vigour to destroy all the monuments of

idolatry,

v. 1.

The king had done what he could of this kind

(2 Kings xviii. 4),

but the people could discover those profane relics which escaped the

eye of the king’s officers, and therefore they went out to see what

they could do,

v. 1.

This was done immediately after the passover. Note, The comfort of

communion with God should kindle in us a holy zeal and indignation

against sin, against every thing that is offensive to God. If our

hearts have been made to burn within us at an ordinance, that spirit of

burning will consume the dross of corruption. What have I now

to do any more with idols? Their zeal here in destroying the

images and groves, the high places and altars, appeared,

1. In that they did this, not only in the cities of Judah and Benjamin,

but in those of Ephraim and Manasseh. Some think that those cities are

meant which had come under the protection and the jurisdiction of the

kings of Judah. Others think that, Hoshea king of Israel not forbidding

it, their zeal carried them out to the destruction of idolatry even in

many parts of his kingdom. At least those that came out of Ephraim and

Manasseh to keep the passover (as many did,

ch. xxx. 18)

destroyed all their own images and groves, and did the like for as many

more as they had influence upon or could make interest in for leave to

do it. We should not only reform ourselves, but do all we can to reform

others too.

2. They destroyed all: they utterly destroyed all; they spared

none through favour or affection either to the images or to their

worshippers; though ever so ancient, ever so costly, ever so beautiful,

and ever so well patronised, yet they must all be destroyed. Note,

Those that sincerely set themselves against sin will set themselves

against all sin.

3. They would not return to their houses, though they had been long

absent, till this was done. They could not be easy, nor think

themselves safe, in their cities, as long as the images and groves,

those betrayers and destroyers of their country, were left standing.

Perhaps the prophet Isaiah pointed to this when, a little before, he

spoke of a day in which men should cast away the very idols that they

themselves had made. So surprising was this blessed change,

Isa. ii. 20; xxxi. 6, 7.

     

II. Hezekiah revived and restored the courses of the priests and

Levites, which David had appointed and which had of late been put out

of course,

v. 2.

The temple service was put into its proper method again, to run in the

old channel. Every man was made to know his work, his place, his time,

and what was expected from him. Note, Good order contributes much to

the carrying on of a good work. The priests were appointed in their

courses for burnt-offerings and peace-offerings; the Levites in

their courses were some to minister to the priests, others to give

thanks and praise. See

1 Chron. xxiii. 4, 5.

And all this in the gates or courts of the tents of

the Lord. The temple is here called a tent because the temple

privileges are movable things and this temple was shortly to be

removed.

     

III. He appropriated a branch of the revenue of his crown to the

maintenance and support of the altar. Though the people were to be at

the charge of the daily offerings, and those on the sabbaths, new

moons, and feasts, yet, rather than they should be burdened with the

expense, he allowed out of his own estate, or out of his exchequer, for

all those offerings,

v. 3.

It was a generous act of piety, wherein he consulted both God’s honour

and his people’s ease, as a faithful servant to him and a tender father

to them. Let princes and great men reckon that well bestowed, and set

out to the best interest, which they give for the support and

encouragement of religion in their country.

     

IV. He issued out an order to the inhabitants of Jerusalem first,

v. 4

(that those who were nearest the temple, and both saved and got by

being so, might give a good example to others), but which was

afterwards extended to, or at least admitted by, the cities of

Judah, that they should carefully pay in their dues, according to

the law, to the priests and Levites. This had been long neglected,

which made the work to be neglected (for a scandalous maintenance makes

a scandalous ministry); but Hezekiah, having himself been liberal,

might with a good grace require his subjects to be just to the temple

service. And observe the end he aims at in recovering and restoring to

the priests and Levites their portion, that they might be encouraged

in the law of the Lord, in the study of it, and in doing their duty

according to it. Observe here,

1. It is fit that ministers should be not only maintained, but

encouraged, that they should not only be kept to do their work, but

that they should also have wherewith to live comfortably, that they may

do it with cheerfulness.

2. Yet they are to be maintained, not in idleness, pride, and luxury,

but in the law of the Lord, in their observance of it themselves

and in teaching others the good knowledge of it.

     

V. The people thereupon brought in their tithes very readily. They

wanted nothing but to be called upon; and therefore, as soon as the

commandment came abroad, the first-fruits and all the holy things

were duly brought in,

v. 5, 6.

What the priests had occasion for, for themselves and their families,

they made use of, and the overplus was laid in heaps,
v. 6.

All harvest-time they were increasing these heaps, as the fruits of the

earth were gathered in; for God was to have his dues out of them all.

Though a prescription may be pleaded for a modus decimandi–tenth

proportion, yet it cannot be pleaded pro non decminado–for the

omission of the tenth. When harvest ended they finished their

heaps,

v. 7.

Now here we have,

1. The account given to Hezekiah concerning those heaps. He

questioned the priests and Levites concerning them, why they did

not use what was paid in, but hoarded it up thus,

(v. 9),

to which it was answered that they had made use of all they had

occasion for, for the maintenance of themselves and their families and

for their winter store, and that this was that which was left over and

above,

v. 10.

They did not hoard these heaps for covetousness, but to show what

plentiful provision God by his law had made for them, if they could but

have it collected and brought in, and that those who conscientiously

give God his dues out of their estates bring a blessing upon all they

have: Since they began to bring in the offerings the Lord has

blessed his people. See for this

Hag. ii. 19.

“Try me,” says God, “if you will not otherwise trust me, whether, upon

your bringing the tithes into the store-house, you have not a blessing

poured out upon you,”

Mal. iii. 10, 11; Ezek. xliv. 30.

2. The acknowledgment which the king and princes made of it,

v. 8.

They gave thanks to God for his good providence, which gave them

something to bring, and his good grace, which gave them hearts to bring

it. And they also blessed the people, that is, commended them

for their doing well now, without reproaching them for their former

neglects. It is observable that after they had tasted the sweetness of

God’s ordinance, in the late comfortable passover, they were thus free

in maintaining the temple service. Those that experience the benefit of

a settled ministry will not grudge the expense of it.

The Maintenance of the Priests.	B. C. 720.

     

11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of

the LORD; and they prepared them,

  12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the

dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite

was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.

  13 And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and

Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and

Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei

his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah

the ruler of the house of God.

  14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the

east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the

oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.

  15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and

Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests,

in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as

well to the great as to the small:

  16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and

upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the

LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges

according to their courses;

  17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their

fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in

their charges by their courses;

  18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives,

and their sons, and their daughters, through all the

congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves

in holiness:

  19 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the

fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the

men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the

males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by

genealogies among the Levites.

  20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought

that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his

God.

  21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house

of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God,

he did it with all his heart, and prospered.

     

Here we have,

     

I. Two particular instances of the care of Hezekiah concerning church

matters, having put them into good order, to keep them so. The tithes

and other holy things being brought in, he provided,

1. That they should be carefully laid up, and not left exposed in loose

heaps, liable to be wasted and embezzled. He ordered chambers to be

made ready in some of the courts of the temple for store-chambers

(v. 11),

and into them the offerings were brought and there kept under lock and

key,

v. 12, 13.

Treasures or store-keepers were appointed, who had the oversight of

them, to see that moth and rust did not corrupt them nor

thieves break through to steal. This wisdom of laying up the

surplus in days of plenty we may learn from the ant, who provideth

meat in summer. The laying up in store what was brought in was an

encouragement to people to pay in their contributions. That will be

given cheerfully by the public which appears to be well husbanded.

2. That they should be faithfully laid out, according to the uses they

were intended for. Church treasures are not to be hoarded any longer

than till there is occasion for them, lest even the rust should be a

witness against those who hoard them. Officers were appointed, men (no

doubt) of approved wisdom and faithfulness, to distribute the

oblations of the Lord and the most holy things among the priests

(v. 14),

and to see that they all had a competent maintenance for themselves and

their families. The law provided sufficient for them all, and

therefore, if some had too little, it must be because others had too

much; to prevent such inequality these officers were to go by some

certain rule of proportion in the disposal of the incomes of the

temple. It is said of the priests here

(v. 18)

that in their set office they sanctified themselves; in faith

they sanctified themselves (so the word is), that is, as bishop Patrick

explains it, they attended their ministry at the house of God, not

doubting but they should be provided with all things necessary. Now,

because they served God in that confidence, care was taken that they

should not be made ashamed of their hope. Note, Those that sanctify

themselves to God and his service in faith, believing that he will see

them want for nothing that is good for them, shall certainly

be fed. Out of the offerings of the Lord distribution was made,

(1.) To the priests in the cities

(v. 15),

who staid at home while their brethren went to Jerusalem, and did good

there in teaching the good knowledge of the Lord. The preaching

priests were maintained as well as the sacrificing priests, and those

that abode by the stuff as well as those that warred the warfare.

(2.) To those that entered into the house of the Lord, all the

males from three years old and upwards; for the male children

even at that tender age, it seems, were allowed to come into the temple

with their parents, and shared with them in this distribution,

v. 16.

(3.) Even the Levites from twenty years old and upwards had their

share,

v. 17.

(4.) The wives and children of the priests and Levites had a

comfortable maintenance out of those offerings,

v. 18.

In maintaining ministers, regard must be had to their families, that

not they only, but theirs, may have food convenient. In some countries

where ministers have their salary paid them by the state an addition is

made to it upon the birth of a child.

(5.) The priests in the country, that lived in the fields of the

suburbs, were not overlooked in this ministration,

v. 19.

Those also had their share who were inhabitants of the villages,

though they might be supposed to live at a less expense.

     

II. A general character of Hezekiah’s services for the support of

religion,

v. 20, 21.

1. His pious zeal reached to all the parts of his kingdom: Thus he

did throughout all Judah; every part of the country, and not those

only that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government.

2. He sincerely designed to please God, and approved himself to him in

all he did: He wrought that which was good before the Lord his

God; all his care was to do that which should be accepted of God,

which was right (that is, agreeable to natural equity), and

truth (that is, agreeable to divine revelation and his covenant

with God), before the Lord; to do according to that law which is

holy, just, and good.

3. What he began he went through with, prosecuted it with vigour, and

did it with all his heart.

4. All his good intentions were brought to a good issue; whatever he

did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his

kingdom, he prospered in it. Note, What is undertaken with a sincere

regard to the glory of God will succeed to our own honour and comfort

at last.

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Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708)

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