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.

Destruction of Idolatry

1
After all this was over, all Isra'el who were there went out to the cities of Y'hudah and smashed the standing-stones, chopped down the sacred poles, and broke down the high places and altars throughout Y'hudah, Binyamin, Efrayim and M'nasheh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Isra'el returned to their own cities, each to his own possession. ​

Reorganization of Priestly Service

2
Hizkiyahu re-established the divisions of the cohanim and L'vi'im in accordance with the way the divisions had been before, with each man assigned his task, both the cohanim and the L'vi'im, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to serve, to give thanks and to praise at the gates of ADONAI's camp. ​
3
He determined a portion of the king's property to be given for the burnt offerings, that is, for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for burnt offerings on Shabbats, Rosh-Hodesh and the designated times, as prescribed by the Torah of ADONAI. ​
4
He also ordered the people living in Yerushalayim to contribute the portion meant for the cohanim and L'vi'im, so that they would be submitting themselves to the Torah of ADONAI. ​

The People Bring Tithes and Offerings

5
As soon as the order was issued, the people of Isra'el gave in abundance from the firstfruits of the grain, wine, olive oil, honey and other agricultural produce; they brought the required tenth and more. ​
6
The people of Isra'el and Y'hudah living in the cities of Y'hudah also brought the required tenth of oxen and sheep and the required tenth of consecrated gifts that had been dedicated to ADONAI their God, and piled them in heaps.
7
They began accumulating these heaps in the third month and completed them in the seventh month. ​
8
When Hizkiyahu and the leaders came and saw the heaps, they blessed ADONAI and his people Isra'el.
9
When Hizkiyahu asked the cohanim and L'vi'im about the heaps,
10
'Azaryahu the chief cohen, from the house of Tzadok, answered him, "Ever since the people began bringing offerings into the house of ADONAI, we have had enough to eat and plenty left over; for ADONAI has blessed his people, and what is left over is this massive supply." ​

Administration of the Temple Storehouses

11
Then Hizkiyahu ordered storerooms prepared in the house of ADONAI. After preparing them, ​
12
they faithfully brought in the offerings, the required tenths and the consecrated things. Konanyahu the Levi was put in charge of them, with Shim'i his brother as his assistant.
13
Hizkiyahu the king and 'Azaryahu the ruler of the house of God appointed Yechi'el, 'Azazyahu, Nachat, 'Asah'el, Yerimot, Yozavad, Eli'el, Yismachyah, Machat and B'nayahu as supervisors to serve under Konanyah and Shim'i his brother. ​
14
Kore the son of Yimnah the Levi, gatekeeper at the East Gate, was responsible for the voluntary offerings to God; he had to distribute the offerings made to ADONAI and the especially holy gifts.
15
Under him were 'Eden, Minyamin, Yeshua, Sh'ma'yahu, Amaryahu and Sh'khanyahu, in the cities of the cohanim, faithfully making the distributions to their kinsmen by divisions, to great and small alike.
16
Every male three years and older entitled to enter the house of ADONAI was given his daily share for performing his duties according to his division, regardless of how he was recorded in the genealogies. ​
17
Likewise, those recorded in the genealogies of the cohanim by clans received shares, as did the L'vi'im twenty years and older who were performing their duties in their assigned divisions.
18
When shares were assigned, all their little ones, wives, sons and daughters were also recorded in the genealogies, throughout the entire community; for in their faithfulness to this task they consecrated themselves.
19
Finally, shares were assigned to the descendants of Aharon, the cohanim, who lived in the pasture-lands surrounding their cities -in each city they were mentioned by name. Thus portions were distributed to all the males among the cohanim and to all whose genealogies showed that they belonged to the L'vi'im. ​

Hezekiah's Faithful Leadership

20
This is what Hizkiyahu did throughout all Y'hudah. He accomplished things that were good, right and faithful before ADONAI his God. ​
21
Every project that he undertook in order to seek his God, whether in the service of the house of God or in connection with the Torah and the mitzvot, he did with all his heart; and so he succeeded. ​

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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