After the Passover, all Israel engaged in a widespread destruction of idolatrous altars and images throughout the land. King Hezekiah then re-established the courses of the priests and Levites for temple service and commanded the people to provide for them. The people responded with an abundance of firstfruits and tithes, which were diligently collected and distributed to the ministers and their families.
¶ 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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;
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;
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:
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.
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.
Study Notes for 2 Chronicles 31
Verse 1
Following the great Passover celebration (Ch. 30), the people spontaneously cleanse the land. The destruction of high places in Ephraim and Manasseh indicates that Hezekiah's spiritual authority was recognized even in the former Northern Kingdom territory.
Verse 2
Hezekiah restores the Levitical courses originally established by David (1 Chr 23–26). This reorganization ensured that the temple service operated continuously and according to the prescribed pattern of the Mosaic Law.
Verse 3
Hezekiah appointed the king’s portion from his own treasury to fund the required daily, weekly, and seasonal burnt offerings, setting a personal example of devotion before requiring contributions from the populace.
Verse 4
The explicit purpose of the tithes and offerings was to financially support the priests and Levites, freeing them to dedicate themselves entirely to their sacred duties, particularly teaching and administering the Law.
Verse 5
The people’s response was immediate and overwhelming, showing the sincerity of the nationwide revival. The term 'firstfruits' refers to the required initial offering, while the 'tithe' was the required tenth of their produce.
Verse 7
The collection period ran from the third month (Sivan, corresponding to early harvest/Pentecost) to the seventh month (Tishri, the completion of the agricultural year/Feast of Tabernacles).
Verse 10
Azariah affirms that the abundance is a result of God's blessing upon the people's obedience. The theological lesson is that faithfulness in giving leads to divine provision.
Verse 11
The immense volume of offerings required the construction of dedicated storage facilities (chambers) and a robust administrative system to manage the wealth fairly.
Verse 13
Hezekiah established a detailed hierarchy of overseers and rulers to ensure meticulous accounting and honest distribution of the consecrated goods, preventing corruption.
Verse 16
The provision was comprehensive, extending even to the youngest males and ensuring daily sustenance for temple workers based on their assigned duties (charges) and courses.
Verse 19
Care was also taken to provide for the priestly families living outside Jerusalem in the rural areas and agricultural suburbs, ensuring that the entire scattered clergy was supported.
Verse 20
This verse offers the Chronicler’s summary evaluation, praising Hezekiah for doing what was 'good and right and truth'—a description emphasizing justice, righteousness, and covenant loyalty.
Verse 21
The Chronicler directly links Hezekiah’s success and prosperity to his wholehearted devotion. This serves as a key theological principle: diligence and sincerity in seeking God lead to divine favor and positive outcome.
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