2 Chronicles31

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.

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Destruction of Idolatry

When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.

Reorganization of Priestly Service

Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling.

The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD.

Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.

The People Bring Tithes and Offerings

As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything.

And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps.

In the third month they began building up the heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.

When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel.

Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites about the heaps,

and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.”

Administration of the Temple Storehouses

Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare storerooms in the house of the LORD, and they did so.

And they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.

Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the authority of Conaniah and his brother Shimei, by appointment of King Hezekiah and of Azariah the chief official of the house of God.

Kore son of Imnah the Levite, the keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God, distributing the contributions to the LORD and the consecrated gifts.

Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.

In addition, they distributed portions to the males registered by genealogy who were three years of age or older—to all who would enter the house of the LORD for their daily duties for service in the responsibilities of their divisions—

and to the priests enrolled according to their families in the genealogy, as well as to the Levites twenty years of age or older, according to their duties and divisions.

The genealogy included all the little ones, wives, sons, and daughters in the whole assembly. For they had faithfully consecrated themselves as holy.

As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farmlands around each of their cities or in any other city, men were designated by name to distribute a portion to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed by the genealogies.

Hezekiah's Faithful Leadership

So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God.

He was diligent in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he 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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2 Chronicles31

Destruction of Idolatry

Reorganization of Priestly Service

The People Bring Tithes and Offerings

Administration of the Temple Storehouses

Hezekiah's Faithful Leadership

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