2 Chron. 30 Hezekiah proclaimeth a solemn passover for Judah and Israel, 2 Chron. 30:1–12. They, having destroyed the altars of idolatry, keep the feast fourteen days, 2 Chron. 30:13–26. The priests and Levites bless the people, 2 Chron. 30:27.

To all Israel; whereby he understands all the persons of the ten tribes, who were now settled in his kingdom; as appears by their contradistinction to Ephraim and Manasseh here following. To Ephraim and Manasseh, i.e. to all the remainders of the ten tribes, 2 Chron.

Which was against the common rule and practice, but was justified by that supreme law of necessity, and by a just impediment, which made the doing of this in its proper time, to wit, the fourteenth day of the first month, impossible, because the temple was not cleansed nor they prepared till that…

They could not keep it at that time, which God had appointed for it, Ex. 12:6; one reason whereof was evident in itself, because the temple was not then purified and prepared; to which he adds two other reasons.

They established a decree; they fixed this resolution. In such sort as it was written, i. e. so as God had commanded them to do it, to wit, that all the males in Israel should do it; which express command of God they ought to have obeyed, rather than the wicked commands or edicts of men to the…

To wit, Pul and Tilgath-pilneser, who had carried their brethren away captives, 2 Kings 15:19, 2 Kings 15:29, 1 Chron. 5:26, 2 Chron. 28:20.

Yield yourselves unto the Lord, Heb. give the hand to him, i.e. submit yourselves to him by obeying his command, and renew your covenant with him; both which things were done amongst men by this ceremony of giving the hand. See 1 Chron. 29:24, Ezra 10:19, Ezek. 17:18.

They laughed, i.e. the generality of the ten tribes; who by long want of meat had now lost all their appetite to God’s ordinances, and from a neglect were now fallen into a contempt and derision of them; for which they paid dear.

i.e. God by the power of his grace inclined their hearts to a unanimous compliance with God’s and the king’s will. And this is mentioned as the reason of this wonderful change wrought in these men, who had lately been utterly averse from God’s worship, and wholly given up to idolatry; as was noted…

The altars, to wit, of burnt-offerings; because they are distinguished from the altars of incense here following; both which were removed and destroyed, partly because all the Israelites were confined to the altars of the temple, and partly because these altars were erected to idols.

The priests and the Levites were ashamed; their negligence and remissness being upbraided by the great and general alacrity and forwardness of the people.

The priests sprinkled the blood of the sacrifices upon the altar, Lev. 1:5. Which they received of the hand of the Levites, who flayed and killed the sacrifices which the priests, if they had been sanctified, should have done, as it was observed before, 2 Chron. 29:34.

That were not sanctified; that had more desire to come to the passover, than care and diligence to cleanse and prepare themselves for it. Now these persons were either, 1. The priests, who were before taxed with uncleanness and unpreparedness. Or rather, 2.

Otherwise than it was written: they had so eager a desire to partake of this ordinance, that, rather than neglect it, they would venture upon it with some ceremonial uncleanness upon them.

i.e. With that ceremonial purification which was required of them that came into God’s sanctuary. So he calls it, to distinguish from that moral and internal purity which they are here acknowledged to have.

From their uncleanness; which itself was a spiritual disease, and which probably produced a disease, or distemper, or trouble in their minds and consciences; which also had formerly brought, and might justly now bring, even outward diseases upon the body, or, at least, guilt, which is a disease…

Spake comfortably unto all the Levites; encouraged them to a cheerful and diligent attendance upon their holy ministrations by the promise of his favour and utmost care for them, which he faithfully performed, 2 Chron. 31:4;c.

Not in the same manner as they had done the former, with offering new paschal lambs, and eating only unleavened bread, (of which there is not the least intimation in the text,) but only in the solemn worship of God, by sacrifices, and prayers, and praises, and public instruction of that great…

Hezekiah did give to the congregation; first to God, to whom the parts appointed were offered in way of thanksgiving; and then to the people, who feasted upon the relics, as the offerer used to do in peace-offerings; and Hezekiah, who was the offerer, gave away his right in the remains of the…

The priests the Levites; those of the Levites who were priests also; for to them only this work belonged, 1 Chron. 23:13. Or, the priests and the Levites; for as the Levites did some other part of the priests’ work at this time, it is not strange if they did this also.