2 Chron. 31 The people forward in destroying idolatry: Hezekiah ordereth the courses of the priests and Levites; and provideth for their work and maintenance, 2 Chron. 31:1–4. The people forward in offerings and tithes, 2 Chron. 31:5–10.

In Ephraim also and Manasseh; either, 1. In those cities belonging to Ephraim and Manasseh, which the kings of Judah had formerly taken from the kings of Israel. Or, 2. In the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.

i.e. Within the gates of the house of the Lord; which is here called tents, partly because all houses are oft so called, as Judg. 19:9, Judg. 20:8, Ps.

For the burnt-offerings; which had hitherto been, and were to be, taken out of the treasures of the temple which were collected from the people, 1 Chron. 26:20, Neh.

i.e. Freed from worldly cares and distractions, and enabled to give up themselves entirely to the serious study of God’s law, in which many of them were ignorant, and to the instruction, and direction, and quickening of the people in their several duties.

As soon as the commandment came abroad; either, 1. As soon as the report of this command of the king, 2 Chron. 31:4, was got abroad into other parts. Or, 2. As soon as the king enlarged and extended that command to all the parts of his kingdom, which, 2 Chron.

Also the tithe of oxen and sheep; they brought in not only the same tithes which the dwellers in Jerusalem did, to wit, of corn, and wine, and oil, &c., which they had in their own storehouses in that city; but also oxen and sheep, which were more proper to the country; for under the cities of…

In the third month, to wit, of the sacred year, Ex. 12:2 in which their harvest began. In the seventh month; in which their harvest ended and the feast of tabernacles was kept, Ex. 23:16, Lev. 23:34.

They blessed the Lord; both for giving such plentiful provisions to his land in this year, and for giving his people such liberal and pious hearts towards this good work. And his people Israel; they praised them for their forwardness and faithfulness in it.

How it came to pass that no more of their provision was spent, and that there yet remained such great heaps of it.

The chief priest of the house of Zadok; either, 1. The high priest, called also Zadok, 1 Chron. 6:12, because he was of his line and family. Or, 2. The chief priest, or the head of that family of Zadok, or of Eleazar; as there was another chief priest of the family of Abiathar, or of Ithamar; see 2…

In the house of the Lord; largely so called, to wit, in the courts, or in the chambers adjoining to the house.

Overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, i.e. to dispose of those provisions by their direction, and to be accountable to them therein.

Toward the east; at the east gate of the Lord’s house; of which See Poole “2 Chron. 23:5”. To distribute to the priests and Levites, to whom they were appropriated by God. The most holy things, to wit, the remainders of the free-will-offering, Lev. 2:3, Lev.

These were intrusted with the receiving and distributing of the several portions belonging to the priests who abode in their several cities, whilst their brethren came up to Jerusalem.

From three years old and upward; to whom a portion of these things was allotted, as is here implied. Unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord; that were capable of entering thither and doing service there, which they were at twenty years old, as is expressed here, 2 Chron.

This is alleged as a reason why their wives and children were provided for out of the holy things, because they sequestered themselves from worldly affairs, by which they might otherwise have provided for their families, and entirely devoted themselves to holy administrations.

The priests, which were in the fields; who are opposed to those that lived in or resorted to the great city Jerusalem.