2 Chronicles 8:15

KJV

And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they departed {H5493} not from the commandment {H4687} of the king {H4428} unto the priests {H3548} and Levites {H3881} concerning any matter {H1697}, or concerning the treasures {H214}.

Complete Jewish Bible

They did not deviate from the king's order to the cohanim and L'vi'im in any matter or in regard to the supplies.

Berean Standard Bible

They did not turn aside from the king’s command regarding the priests or the Levites or any matter concerning the treasuries.

American Standard Version

And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 8:15 serves as a powerful summary statement, affirming the unwavering obedience and diligent adherence of the priests and Levites to the comprehensive organizational directives issued by King Solomon. It underscores their faithfulness in upholding every aspect of the temple service, from ritualistic duties to the meticulous management of sacred treasures, thereby ensuring the orderly and reverent functioning of God's house as established by divine wisdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes a significant section in 2 Chronicles (8:12-16) that details King Solomon's meticulous organization of the temple service after the completion and dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. Having successfully built the magnificent Temple and his own palace, Solomon turns his attention to establishing a permanent and orderly system for worship. The preceding verses describe his precise arrangements for the priestly courses, the daily burnt offerings, the Sabbath and New Moon sacrifices, and the three annual feasts (Passover, Weeks, and Tabernacles), all in accordance with the Law of Moses and the organizational plans laid out by his father, King David (as seen in [1 Chronicles 23](/1_chronicles/23 "1 Chronicles 23 - David Organizes the Levites") and [1 Chronicles 24](/1_chronicles/24 "1 Chronicles 24 - David Organizes the Priests")). Verse 15 acts as a concluding affirmation, highlighting the successful implementation and steadfast adherence to these divinely inspired regulations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) marked a golden age for Israel, characterized by peace, prosperity, and the establishment of the centralized worship at the Temple in Jerusalem. The construction of the Temple was a monumental undertaking, fulfilling David's desire to build a permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant. Culturally, the Temple was the epicenter of Israelite life, serving as the place where God's presence dwelt among His people and where atonement for sin was made. The roles of priests and Levites were hereditary and highly structured, essential for maintaining ritual purity, offering sacrifices, and teaching the Law. Solomon's administrative genius, coupled with divine wisdom, was crucial in formalizing these roles and ensuring that the complex operations of the Temple, including the handling of vast contributions and sacred items, were managed with integrity and precision, reflecting the importance of order in ancient Near Eastern religious practices.

* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully articulates several core themes central to the Chronicler's theological agenda. First, it emphasizes **Obedience and Faithfulness** to divinely appointed authority, whether that authority is God's direct command or the king's decree aligned with God's will. The phrase "departed not" underscores a complete and unwavering commitment to the established order. Second, it highlights the importance of **Divine Order and Administration** in worship and service. Solomon's meticulous organization, rooted in David's prior arrangements and ultimately inspired by God, ensured that the Temple functioned efficiently and reverently, a principle echoed in later biblical calls for order in the church (e.g., [1 Corinthians 14:40](/1_corinthians/14-40 "1 Corinthians 14:40 - Let All Things Be Done Decently and in Order")). Third, the mention of "treasures" brings to the forefront the theme of **Stewardship**. The priests and Levites were not only responsible for ritual duties but also for the responsible management of the Temple's vast wealth and resources, a principle of faithful management that extends to all believers (cf. [1 Peter 4:10](/1_peter/4-10 "1 Peter 4:10 - Good Stewards of God's Grace")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Departed not (לֹא סָרוּ, _lo' saru_):** This phrase, employing the negative particle "lo'" (not) with the verb "sur" (to turn aside, deviate, remove), powerfully conveys the absolute and unwavering nature of the priests' and Levites' obedience. It signifies that they did not stray, turn away, or neglect any aspect of the king's instructions, emphasizing their steadfast adherence and faithfulness to the established order.
* **Commandment (מִצְוָה, _mitsvah_):** While often used to refer to God's divine commandments (as in the Mosaic Law), here "mitsvah" denotes a royal decree or instruction. In this context, Solomon's "commandment" is understood not as an arbitrary human dictate but as an administrative order that aligns with and implements the divine will for the proper functioning of the Temple and its services, reflecting the king's role as God's anointed agent.
* **Treasures (אֹצָרוֹת, _'otsarot_):** This term refers to the stored wealth, sacred offerings, and valuable resources of the Temple. It encompasses not only monetary contributions but also precious vessels, dedicated items, and provisions for the Temple's upkeep and the support of its personnel. The inclusion of "treasures" highlights the comprehensive scope of the priests' and Levites' responsibilities, extending beyond ritual duties to include meticulous financial and material stewardship.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they departed not from the commandment of the king":** This opening clause establishes the central theme of unwavering obedience. "They" refers to the priests and Levites, the primary religious functionaries of the Temple. Their actions were in direct and full compliance with the directives issued by King Solomon, indicating a disciplined and faithful execution of their duties without deviation or neglect.
* **"unto the priests and Levites":** This specifies the recipients of the king's comprehensive organizational decrees. It underscores that the established order applied directly and specifically to those entrusted with the sacred duties of Temple worship and administration, highlighting their unique responsibility and accountability.
* **"concerning any matter":** This phrase emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their obedience. It implies that their adherence was not selective but extended to every single detail of their responsibilities, whether procedural, ceremonial, or administrative, leaving no room for personal interpretation or laxity.
* **"or concerning the treasures":** This final clause provides a specific and crucial example of the breadth of their obedience. It highlights their faithfulness in managing the Temple's valuable resources, offerings, and stored wealth. This demonstrates that their integrity and diligence encompassed not only their spiritual duties but also their material stewardship, ensuring the proper and accountable use of God's provisions for His house.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Conciseness** to deliver a powerful summary statement, distilling a complex reality of diligent administration into a single, impactful sentence. The negative construction "departed not" serves as a form of **Emphasis**, highlighting the steadfastness and absolute adherence of the priests and Levites, rather than merely stating that they obeyed. This negative phrasing underscores the absence of any deviation, making their obedience particularly noteworthy. Furthermore, the phrase "concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures" functions as a form of **Merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts ("any matter" representing the general, and "treasures" representing a specific, critical aspect) are used to encompass the totality of their responsibilities. This literary technique effectively conveys the comprehensive scope of their faithfulness, covering all aspects of their duties from the general to the particular.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The unwavering obedience of the priests and Levites in 2 Chronicles 8:15 resonates deeply with broader biblical themes of faithfulness to divine instruction and the importance of order in worship. Their adherence to Solomon's commands, which were themselves an outworking of God's design for the Temple, serves as a model for all who serve God. It underscores that true spiritual service is not merely about outward acts but about a heart posture of submission to God's established ways, whether directly revealed or mediated through godly leadership. This commitment ensures that God's house functions according to His will, glorifying Him through reverent and orderly worship and responsible stewardship of His resources.

* [Deuteronomy 12:32](/deuteronomy/12-32 "Deuteronomy 12:32 - Do Not Add or Subtract from God's Commands")
* [Luke 16:10](/luke/16-10 "Luke 16:10 - Faithfulness in Little Things")
* [1 Corinthians 14:33](/1_corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God is a God of Order")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The steadfast obedience of the priests and Levites in 2 Chronicles 8:15 offers a profound challenge and encouragement for believers today. In a world often characterized by individualism and a tendency to question authority, this verse calls us to a renewed commitment to faithful adherence—not to blind obedience, but to discerning and submitting to godly order, whether in our churches, communities, or personal lives. It reminds us that diligence in "any matter" and integrity "concerning the treasures" are not peripheral but central to our walk with God. Our service, whether in formal ministry or the seemingly mundane tasks of daily life, should be marked by the same unwavering commitment to biblical principles and responsible stewardship of all that God has entrusted to us—our time, talents, resources, and spiritual gifts. When we serve with such faithfulness, we contribute to the orderly and effective functioning of God's purposes in the world, bringing Him honor and blessing to those around us.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life or service might you be tempted to "depart" from God's clear commands or the godly order established in your community?**
* **How does your approach to managing your "treasures"—be it finances, time, or abilities—reflect faithful stewardship for God's glory?**
* **What steps can you take to cultivate a deeper commitment to diligence and obedience in both the "any matter" and "treasures" aspects of your life?**

### FAQ
**What was the significance of "the commandment of the king" in this context?**

Answer: In ancient Israel, the king, especially one like Solomon who was divinely appointed and endowed with wisdom, acted as God's representative on earth. Therefore, "the commandment of the king" concerning the Temple service was not seen as merely a human decree but as an administrative order that aligned with and implemented the divine will and the Mosaic Law regarding worship. Solomon's commands were based on the detailed plans given by his father David, which were themselves inspired by God (see [1 Chronicles 28:11-19](/1_chronicles/28-11 "1 Chronicles 28:11-19 - David Gives Solomon the Temple Plans")). Thus, the priests' and Levites' obedience to the king's commands was tantamount to obedience to God's established order for His house.

**Why is the mention of "treasures" specifically highlighted in this verse?**

Answer: The specific mention of "treasures" underscores the comprehensive nature of the priests' and Levites' responsibilities and their integrity. It highlights that their faithfulness extended beyond ritualistic and ceremonial duties to include the crucial aspect of financial and material stewardship. The Temple accumulated vast wealth through offerings, tithes, and dedications, and the honest and meticulous management of these resources was vital for the Temple's upkeep, the support of its personnel, and the overall integrity of the worship system. This detail emphasizes that faithfulness in God's service involves both spiritual devotion and practical, ethical administration of resources, a principle that remains relevant for the church today (cf. [Matthew 25:21](/matthew/25-21 "Matthew 25:21 - Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 8:15 speaks of the Old Covenant priests' and Levites' obedience to King Solomon's directives concerning the physical Temple, it powerfully foreshadows the perfect obedience of the ultimate King and High Priest, Jesus Christ. Unlike the Levitical priests, who, despite their faithfulness, were imperfect and subject to human limitations, Christ perfectly fulfilled every divine command and perfectly administered the "treasures" of God's kingdom. His entire life was one of unwavering obedience to His Father's will, even to the point of death on the cross (see [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience Unto Death")). Furthermore, Christ Himself is the new and eternal Temple, the dwelling place of God, and through His sacrifice, He has established a new covenant where believers are made "a chosen race, a royal priesthood" ([1 Peter 2:9](/1_peter/2-9 "1 Peter 2:9 - A Royal Priesthood")). We are now called to live in obedience to Him, stewarding the spiritual "treasures" of the Gospel and the gifts of the Spirit, ensuring that our lives and ministries are conducted in the perfect order established by our Lord, who is both our King and our High Priest forever (as described in [Hebrews 7](/hebrews/7 "The Priesthood of Melchizedek")).

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

2 Chronicles 30:12

Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

1 Chronicles 9:29

[Some] of them also [were] appointed to oversee the vessels, and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices.

1 Chronicles 26:20

¶ And of the Levites, Ahijah [was] over the treasures of the house of God, and over the treasures of the dedicated things.

1 Chronicles 26:26

Which Shelomith and his brethren [were] over all the treasures of the dedicated things, which David the king, and the chief fathers, the captains over thousands and hundreds, and the captains of the host, had dedicated.

Exodus 39:42

According to all that the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel made all the work.

Exodus 39:43

And Moses did look upon all the work, and, behold, they had done it as the LORD had commanded, even so had they done it: and Moses blessed them.

1 Kings 7:51

So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated; [even] the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.