2 Chronicles 29:36

KJV

And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was [done] suddenly.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Hezekiah {H3169} rejoiced {H8055}, and all the people {H5971}, that God {H430} had prepared {H3559} the people {H5971}: for the thing {H1697} was done suddenly {H6597}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Hizkiyahu and all the people rejoiced over what God had prepared for the people, since it had all happened so suddenly.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had prepared for the people, because everything had been accomplished so quickly.

American Standard Version

And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people: for the thing was done suddenly.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
2 Chronicles 29:36 captures the profound and widespread joy of King Hezekiah and all the people of Judah, celebrating the remarkably swift and divinely orchestrated restoration of Temple worship and the re-establishment of proper sacrifices. Their exuberant rejoicing stemmed from the clear and undeniable recognition that God Himself had sovereignly prepared the hearts of the people, enabling a massive spiritual undertaking to be completed with astonishing and unexpected speed, thus signifying His favor and presence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse serves as the triumphant crescendo to the initial phase of King Hezekiah's sweeping spiritual reforms, meticulously detailed throughout [2 Chronicles 29](/2_chronicles/29 "2 Chronicles 29 - Hezekiah's Temple Cleansing"). Immediately upon ascending the throne, Hezekiah distinguished himself from his idolatrous father, King Ahaz, by prioritizing the spiritual health of the nation. The chapter records his urgent command to cleanse and consecrate the defiled Temple, the re-establishment of the Levitical priesthood in their proper functions, and the solemn re-institution of the prescribed sacrifices and worship. A significant logistical challenge is highlighted in [2 Chronicles 29:34](/2_chronicles/29-34 "2 Chronicles 29:34 - Levites Not Enough for Sacrifices"), where it's noted that the consecrated priests were too few for the immense number of sacrifices. This verse, [2 Chronicles 29:36](/2_chronicles/29-36 "2 Chronicles 29:36 - Hezekiah's Joy in God's Preparation"), then reveals the divine solution and the resulting joy: God Himself prepared the people, enabling the entire monumental task to be completed with astonishing alacrity, far beyond human capacity or expectation.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Hezekiah's reign (c. 715-686 BC) followed a period of severe spiritual apostasy and national humiliation under his father, King Ahaz. Ahaz had not only tolerated but actively promoted pagan worship, even shutting the doors of the Lord's house ([2 Chronicles 28:24](/2_chronicles/28-24 "2 Chronicles 28:24 - Ahaz Shuts the Temple")) and erecting altars to foreign gods throughout Jerusalem. This context underscores the radical and courageous nature of Hezekiah's reforms. The Temple was not merely a building but the spiritual and national epicenter of Judah, symbolizing God's covenant presence among His people. Its defilement and neglect signified the nation's broken covenant relationship with Yahweh. The restoration of proper worship, including specific rituals and sacrifices, was therefore not just a religious act but a profound national repentance, a reaffirmation of Judah's identity as God's covenant people, and a desperate plea for His renewed favor in the face of Assyrian expansion. The cultural understanding of divine intervention in national affairs was deeply ingrained, making the acknowledgment of God's "preparation" a natural and profound expression of faith.

* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 29:36](/2_chronicles/29-36 "2 Chronicles 29:36 - Hezekiah's Joy in God's Preparation") powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes found in [2 Chronicles](/2_chronicles/1 "2 Chronicles - History of the Kings of Judah") and specifically within Hezekiah's narrative. Foremost is the theme of **Divine Initiative in Revival**. The verse explicitly states that "God had prepared the people," underscoring that true spiritual awakening is not merely a human endeavor but a sovereign work of God in the hearts of individuals and the collective. This divine enablement ensures the genuineness and success of the revival, overcoming human limitations and apathy, as seen in the logistical challenge noted in [2 Chronicles 29:34](/2_chronicles/29-34 "2 Chronicles 29:34 - Levites Not Enough for Sacrifices"). Another key theme is the **Swiftness and Efficacy of God's Work**, highlighted by "the thing was [done] suddenly." This emphasizes God's power to bring about immediate and impactful transformation, often defying human expectations of gradual change and demonstrating His omnipotence. Finally, the **Joy in Obedience and God's Favor** is palpable. The universal rejoicing of Hezekiah and the people is a direct outcome of witnessing God's mighty hand and experiencing His tangible blessing after a long period of spiritual dormancy, illustrating the deep satisfaction and gladness found in aligning with God's will and seeing His purposes fulfilled.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rejoiced (Hebrew, שָׂמַח, _sâmach'_):** This primitive root means to brighten up, to be blithe or gleesome, to be glad, or to have joy. In this context, it describes a profound, widespread, and heartfelt gladness experienced by both King Hezekiah and all the people. It signifies not merely a superficial happiness, but a deep, spiritual joy that stemmed from witnessing God's powerful and evident work in their midst, particularly in the restoration of worship and the tangible sense of His returning favor. This joy is a natural and appropriate response to divine blessing and intervention.
* **Prepared (Hebrew, כּוּן, _kûwn'_):** This verb, from a primitive root, properly means to be erect or stand perpendicular, and causatively, to set up, establish, fix, or make ready. Here, it signifies God's active, intentional, and sovereign work in the hearts and minds of the people, making them suitable, willing, and eager for the renewed worship. It implies a divine enablement that transcended mere human effort or planning, ensuring the success and readiness of the entire populace for the spiritual undertaking. God's "preparation" removed obstacles, instilled desire, and provided the capacity needed for such a monumental task.
* **Suddenly (Hebrew, פִּתְאֹם, _pithʼôwm'_):** This adverb conveys the sense of immediacy, unexpectedness, or abruptness. Its use here emphasizes the miraculous speed with which the extensive spiritual restoration was accomplished. What might have been a protracted, arduous process, requiring significant time and effort, was completed with astonishing swiftness. This "suddenness" points unmistakably to a supernatural intervention rather than a gradual human effort, highlighting God's power to accelerate His purposes and bring about rapid, impactful transformation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people":** This clause describes a widespread and profound celebratory response that permeated the entire nation. The joy was not confined to the king or a select few officials, but encompassed "all the people," indicating a national, communal outpouring of gladness. This collective rejoicing signifies the deep impact of the spiritual renewal and the palpable sense of God's favor returning to Judah after a period of severe apostasy. It is the natural human response to witnessing divine power and blessing.
* **"that God had prepared the people":** This is presented as the foundational and explicit reason for their rejoicing. Both the king and the people recognized that the readiness, willingness, and capacity for such a massive spiritual undertaking—including the thorough cleansing, consecration, and countless sacrifices—did not originate from human initiative, logistical planning, or mere royal decree alone. Rather, it was God Himself who had worked supernaturally in their hearts, overcoming any reluctance, apathy, or practical limitations (such as the shortage of priests mentioned in [2 Chronicles 29:34](/2_chronicles/29-34 "2 Chronicles 29:34 - Levites Not Enough for Sacrifices")). This clause profoundly acknowledges God's sovereignty over the human heart and His active, indispensable role in initiating and sustaining spiritual revival.
* **"for the thing was [done] suddenly":** This final clause explains the *manner* in which God's preparation manifested and provided undeniable evidence of His hand at work. The "thing" refers to the entire process of Temple cleansing, consecration, and the re-institution of worship and sacrifices. The fact that such a monumental task, which would typically require extensive time and effort, was completed with unexpected and remarkable speed served as irrefutable proof of divine intervention. It underscored that this was not a slow, human-driven reform but a rapid, divinely accelerated transformation, further solidifying the people's conviction that God was truly behind it, prompting their profound joy and gratitude.

#### Literary Devices
The verse effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message. **Cause and Effect** is prominently displayed, as God's preparatory work in the hearts of the people and the sudden completion of the monumental task (the divine cause) directly lead to the widespread rejoicing of Hezekiah and all the people (the human effect). The narrative also utilizes **Divine Intervention** as a central and explicit theme, naming God as the primary agent responsible for preparing the people and bringing about the swift restoration, thereby elevating the event beyond mere human accomplishment or planning. There is an implicit **Contrast** with the preceding reign of King Ahaz, highlighting the dramatic spiritual turnaround and the stark difference in divine favor and national spiritual health. Finally, the phrases "all the people" and "suddenly" function as forms of **Emphasis** and even mild **Hyperbole**, underscoring the comprehensive scope and astonishing speed of God's work, reinforcing its miraculous and undeniable nature.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Chronicles 29:36](/2_chronicles/29-36 "2 Chronicles 29:36 - Hezekiah's Joy in God's Preparation") stands as a profound testament to God's sovereign initiative in spiritual renewal and His ability to work beyond human limitations. It teaches us that genuine revival and a return to God are not solely the result of human effort, fervent preaching, or meticulous planning, but fundamentally spring from God's preparatory work in the hearts of His people. The joy experienced by Hezekiah and the entire nation was a direct consequence of witnessing God's powerful hand at work, overcoming obstacles and accelerating His purposes. This verse reminds us that God is capable of bringing about dramatic and rapid transformation, both in individuals and communities, when He chooses to act, and that the proper response to such divine intervention is profound gratitude and exuberant joy.

* [Proverbs 16:1](/proverbs/16-1 "Proverbs 16:1 - The Lord Prepares the Heart")
* [Philippians 2:13](/philippians/2-13 "Philippians 2:13 - God Works in Us")
* [Psalm 100:2](/psalm/100-2 "Psalm 100:2 - Serve the Lord with Gladness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This powerful verse offers immense encouragement and vital lessons for believers today. It fundamentally shifts our perspective on spiritual awakening, reminding us that while human leaders and faithful individuals play crucial roles, the ultimate source of true revival and transformation is God Himself. We are called to pray fervently for God to "prepare the people"—to soften hearts, awaken consciences, and instill a hunger for His presence and His Word. It also challenges our often-linear and incremental expectations of progress, demonstrating that God can work with astonishing speed and impact, bringing about in a moment what might seem to require years of human effort. Our task is to remain faithful, obedient, and ready, recognizing that when God moves, joy is the inevitable outcome of seeing His mighty hand at work. This joy is not merely emotional but a deep, abiding satisfaction in His faithfulness, power, and sovereign grace, prompting us to give Him all the glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does acknowledging God's preparatory work impact our approach to ministry, evangelism, and personal spiritual growth, shifting our reliance from human effort to divine enablement?**
* **In what areas of your life, family, church, or community are you waiting for God to "suddenly" bring about change or breakthrough, and how does this verse encourage your faith and perseverance in prayer?**
* **What is the source of your deepest spiritual joy, and how does it relate to witnessing God's sovereign hand at work in your life and the world around you?**

### FAQ
**What was the "thing" that was done suddenly?**

Answer: The "thing" refers to the entire, comprehensive spiritual restoration of the Temple and its worship that King Hezekiah initiated. This included the thorough cleansing and consecration of the defiled Temple, the re-establishment of the Levitical priesthood in their proper roles, and the re-institution of the countless sacrifices and offerings prescribed by the Law. Humanly speaking, such a massive undertaking, especially after a period of prolonged neglect and idolatry, would have required extensive planning and time. However, the text emphasizes that it was completed with remarkable swiftness, which the people recognized as a sign of divine intervention. The logistical challenge of too few priests for the multitude of sacrifices ([2 Chronicles 29:34](/2_chronicles/29-34 "2 Chronicles 29:34 - Levites Not Enough for Sacrifices")) was overcome by God's preparation of the people, enabling a rapid and joyful completion.

**How did God "prepare" the people?**

Answer: While the text does not provide a detailed explanation of the *how*, it strongly implies a sovereign, internal work of God in the hearts and minds of the people. This divine preparation overcame any apathy, resistance, or logistical hurdles, making them willing, eager, and spiritually ready to participate in the arduous and extensive work of restoration. It was not merely a royal decree or human persuasion, but a supernatural enablement that instilled a collective desire for repentance and renewed worship. This "preparation" meant that when the call to action came, the people responded with a unified spirit and an unexpected capacity to accomplish the task swiftly, leading to the widespread rejoicing mentioned in [2 Chronicles 29:36](/2_chronicles/29-36 "2 Chronicles 29:36 - Hezekiah's Joy in God's Preparation"). It highlights God's ability to soften hardened hearts and align human wills with His divine purposes.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The divine preparation and suddenness of God's work in [2 Chronicles 29:36](/2_chronicles/29-36 "2 Chronicles 29:36 - Hezekiah's Joy in God's Preparation") find their ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ and the establishment of the New Covenant. Just as God prepared the hearts of the people of Judah for Temple worship, He supernaturally prepares hearts to receive the Gospel, for no one can come to Christ unless the Father draws them ([John 6:44](/john/6-44 "John 6:44 - No One Can Come Unless the Father Draws Him")). This highlights a divine work of grace that precedes and enables human response. The "suddenness" of the Temple's cleansing foreshadows the instantaneous transformation that occurs when one is "in Christ"—they become a new creation, with the old passing away and the new arriving ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), a spiritual cleansing and renewal far surpassing any ritual purification. The profound joy experienced by Hezekiah and the people points to the "joy in the Holy Spirit" that characterizes the Kingdom of God ([Romans 14:17](/romans/14-17 "Romans 14:17 - Kingdom of God is Righteousness, Peace, and Joy"))—a joy not dependent on external circumstances but on the indwelling presence of God and the assurance of salvation. The ultimate "thing done suddenly" in redemptive history was Christ's atoning work on the cross, which accomplished salvation "once for all" ([Hebrews 10:10](/hebrews/10-10 "Hebrews 10:10 - Sanctified Through the Offering of Jesus Christ")) and opened the way for immediate access to God, ushering in a spiritual revival of global proportions, far grander and more enduring than any in Israel's history.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Ezra 6:22

And kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the king of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the house of God, the God of Israel.

Acts 2:41

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

1 Chronicles 29:9

Then the people rejoiced, for that they offered willingly, because with perfect heart they offered willingly to the LORD: and David the king also rejoiced with great joy.

Proverbs 16:1

¶ The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, [is] from the LORD.

Psalms 10:17

LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear:

1 Thessalonians 3:8

For now we live, if ye stand fast in the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 3:9

For what thanks can we render to God again for you, for all the joy wherewith we joy for your sakes before our God;