2 Chronicles 31:5 Komentář

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 (Ch2 31:1). II. The priests and Levites were set to work again, every man in his place (Ch2 31:2). 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 (Ch2 31:3). 2. Orders were given for the raising of the people's quota (Ch2 31:4). 3. The people, thereupon, brought in their dues abundantly (Ch2 31:5-10). 4. Commissioners were appointed for the due distribution of what was brought in (Ch2 31:11-19). Lastly, Here is the general praise of Hezekiah's sincerity in all his undertakings (Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21).

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 31 This chapter begins with the destruction of idolatrous worship, the appointment of the courses of the priests and Levites, and the royal bounty for sacrifices, Ch2 31:1, next follows the order Hezekiah gave, that the people at Jerusalem, and throughout the land, should make the proper provision for the priests and Levites, as the law directed; and which was cheerfully complied with, and the firstfruits and tithes were brought in, in great abundance, insomuch that there was enough, and plenty left, Ch2 31:4, wherefore chambers were prepared in the temple to lay it up in, and persons appointed to be the overseers of it, and to distribute it faithfully to their brethren and their families, to small and great, Ch2 31:11, and the chapter is closed in praise of the works of Hezekiah, and the success that attended him, Ch2 31:20.

And as soon as the commandment came abroad,.... Not only was published in the city of Jerusalem, but the report of it, or rather that itself, was spread throughout the cities of Judah: the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey; the three first of these are expressed in the law, Deu 18:4 but not honey; wherefore the Targum here, and the Jewish writers in general, interpret it of the "dubsa" of the palm tree, as they call it, the fruit and liquor of that, which is of a sweet taste, and which the Scenite Arabs called "dabusa", as Pliny (w) from Juba relates; for so it should be read, and not "dabulan" or "dablan", as in some copies: but though honey was forbid to be used in sacrifice, it was not forbidden to be eaten; and as the land of Judea abounded with honey, properly so called, the priests might have the firstfruits of that as of other liquors; See Gill on Deu 8:8, and of all the increase of the field; of the trees of it, vines, fig trees, pomegranates, &c. as Kimchi: and the tithe of all things; even of herbs, as the same writer, and so the Talmud (x), which were free from tithes by the law, see Mat 23:23, brought they in abundantly; even of all that their vineyards, oliveyards, and fields produced. (w) Nat. Hist. l. 13. c. 4. (x) T. Bab. Nedarim, fol. 55. 1.

The people destroy all traces of idolatry throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, Ch2 31:1. Hezekiah reforms the state of religion in general; and the tithes are brought in from all quarters, and proper officers set over them, Ch2 31:2-13. They bring to also the freewill-offerings, and regulate the priests and Levites and their families, according to their genealogies, Ch2 31:14-19. Hezekiah does every thing in sincerity and truth, and is prosperous, Ch2 31:20, Ch2 31:21.

Brought - the first-fruits - These were principally for the maintenance of the priests and Levites; they brought tithes of all the produce of the field, whether commanded or not, as we see in the instance of honey, which was not to be offered to the Lord, Lev 2:11, yet it appears it might be offered to the priests as first-fruits, or in the way of tithes.

THE PEOPLE FORWARD IN DESTROYING IDOLATRY. (Ch2 31:1-10) 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 the beginning of the festival they had done in Jerusalem. Judah and Benjamin--denote the southern kingdom. Ephraim also and Manasseh--refer to the northern kingdom. This unsparing demolition of the monuments of idolatry would receive all encouragement from the king and public authorities of the former; and the force of the popular movement was sufficient to effect the same results among the tribes of Israel, whatever opposition the power of Hoshea or the invectives of some profane brethren might have made. Thus the reign of idolatry being completely overthrown and the pure worship of God re-established throughout the land, the people returned every one to his own home, in the confident expectation that, through the divine blessing, they would enjoy a happy future of national peace and prosperity.