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
Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah, and broke in pieces the pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. ​

Reorganization of Priestly Service

2
Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the LORD. ​
3
He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, 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 LORD’s law. ​
4
Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the LORD’s law. ​

The People Bring Tithes and Offerings

5
As soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. ​
6
The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
7
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. ​
8
When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
9
Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
10
Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into the LORD’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” ​

Administration of the Temple Storehouses

11
Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the LORD’s house; and they prepared them. ​
12
They brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second.
13
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 Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of God’s house. ​
14
Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the offerings of the LORD, and the most holy things.
15
Under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Yeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, as well to the great as to the small:
16
besides those who were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into the LORD’s house, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions; ​
17
and those who were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions;
18
and those who were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.
19
Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites. ​

Hezekiah's Faithful Leadership

20
Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he worked that which was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God. ​
21
In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, 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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