Day 129: 2 Chronicles 31-33

(The previous post covered the reign of Ahaz and the beginning of Hezekiah's reign.)

2 Chronicles 31

(This chapter took place during Hezekiah's reign and specifically covered the provisions for the priests.)

¹ Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake in pieces the pillars, and hewed down the Asherim, and brake 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.

(Before the Israelites that did not go into captivity returned to their homes from observing the feasts, they broke down the pillars, high places, and altars of the pagan gods.)

² And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, 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 Jehovah.
³ 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 Jehovah.
⁴ Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Jehovah.

(The priests and Levites did their work as appointed by Hezekiah and the people gave tithes to priests and Levites. Hezekiah commanded this so that the priests and Levites could devote themselves to the Law. This way, they would not have to worry about how they would provide for themselves or their families.)

⁵ And 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.

(Verses 6-10: the receiving of the tithes.)

⁶ And 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 dedicated things which were consecrated unto Jehovah 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 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Jehovah, and his people Israel.

(Israel and Judah obeyed Hezekiah’s command regarding giving to the priests and Levites. Actually, they gave abundantly.)

⁹ Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
¹⁰ And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since the people began to bring the oblations into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for Jehovah hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.

(The priests stored away the left overs.)

(Verses 11-19: the administration of the tithes.)

¹¹ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Jehovah; and they prepared them.
¹² And they brought in the oblations and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: and over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was second.
¹³ 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 Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
¹⁴ And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter at the east gate, was over the freewill-offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of Jehovah, and the most holy things.
¹⁵ And under him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:

(This covered the names of the Levites who were put in charge of the service to God.)

¹⁶ besides them that were reckoned by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even every one that entered into the house of Jehovah, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their courses;
¹⁷ and them that 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 courses;
¹⁸ and them that 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, that were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every city, there were men that were mentioned by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites.

(Even the priests that were in the suburbs received portions of the tithes.)

²⁰ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah; and he wrought that which was good and right and faithful before Jehovah his God.

(Hezekiah's organization of the people and the Levites in the temple was seen as good and right and faithful in God's Eyes.)

²¹ 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.

(Hezekiah sought God with all his heart and he prospered. He was the best king to date.)




2 Chronicles 32
¹ After these things, and this faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came, and entered into Judah, and encamped against the fortified cities, and thought to win them for himself.
² And when Hezekiah saw that Sennacherib was come, and that he was purposed to fight against Jerusalem,

(Sennacherib, king of Assyria, went against Judah. Hezekiah saw him coming.)

³ he took counsel with his princes and his mighty men to stop the waters of the fountains which were without the city; and they helped him.

(Hezekiah stopped the city’s water supply.)

⁴ So there was gathered much people together, and they stopped all the fountains, and the brook that flowed through the midst of the land, saying, Why should the kings of Assyria come, and find much water?
⁵ And he took courage, and built up all the wall that was broken down, and raised it up to the towers, and the other wall without, and strengthened Millo in the city of David, and made weapons and shields in abundance.
⁶ And he set captains of war over the people, and gathered them together to him in the broad place at the gate of the city, and spake comfortably to them, saying,

(Hezekiah set up men for war and spoke "comfortably" to them. What did speaking "comfortably" sound like?....)

⁷ Be strong and of good courage, be not afraid nor dismayed for the king of Assyria, nor for all the multitude that is with him; for there is a greater with us than with him:
⁸ with him is an arm of flesh; but with us is Jehovah our God to help us, and to fight our battles. And the people rested themselves upon the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.

(The word comfortably in verse 6 meant "inner man, mind, will, heart, soul, understanding." Hezekiah was building their faith.)

(Verses 9-19: Sennacherib's campaign against Hezekiah.)

⁹ After this did Sennacherib king of Assyria send his servants to Jerusalem, (now he was before Lachish, and all his power with him,) unto Hezekiah king of Judah, and unto all Judah that were at Jerusalem, saying,
¹⁰ Thus saith Sennacherib king of Assyria, Whereon do ye trust, that ye abide the siege in Jerusalem?
¹¹ Doth not Hezekiah persuade you, to give you over to die by famine and by thirst, saying, Jehovah our God will deliver us out of the hand of the king of Assyria?
¹² Hath not the same Hezekiah taken away his high places and his altars, and commanded Judah and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall worship before one altar, and upon it shall ye burn incense?
¹³ Know ye not what I and my fathers have done unto all the peoples of the lands? Were the gods of the nations of the lands in any wise able to deliver their land out of my hand?
¹⁴ Who was there among all the gods of those nations which my fathers utterly destroyed, that could deliver his people out of my hand, that your God should be able to deliver you out of my hand?
¹⁵ Now therefore let not Hezekiah deceive you, nor persuade you after this manner, neither believe ye him; for no god of any nation or kingdom was able to deliver his people out of my hand, and out of the hand of my fathers: how much less shall your God deliver you out of my hand?

(Sennacherib spoke to Hezekiah and all of Judah. He tried to place doubt in their hearts and told them to not let Hezekiah deceive them.)

¹⁶ And his servants spake yet more against Jehovah God, and against his servant Hezekiah.
¹⁷ He wrote also letters, to rail on Jehovah, the God of Israel, and to speak against him, saying, As the gods of the nations of the lands, which have not delivered their people out of my hand, so shall not the God of Hezekiah deliver his people out of my hand.

(They also spoke against God.)

¹⁸ And they cried with a loud voice in the Jews' language unto the people of Jerusalem that were on the wall, to affright them, and to trouble them; that they might take the city.
¹⁹ And they spake of the God of Jerusalem, as of the gods of the peoples of the earth, which are the work of men's hands.

(Verses 20-23: Hezekiah's prayer.)

²⁰ And Hezekiah the king, and Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, prayed because of this, and cried to heaven.

(In response to Sennacherib speaking to the people in their language, Hezekiah and Isaiah prayed and cried to heaven.)

²¹ And Jehovah sent an angel, who cut off all the mighty men of valor, and the leaders and captains, in the camp of the king of Assyria. So he returned with shame of face to his own land. And when he was come into the house of his god, they that came forth from his own bowels slew him there with the sword.

(God sent an angel who cut off the Assyrians. Sennacherib returned with shame to Assyria and his own children killed him.)

²² Thus Jehovah saved Hezekiah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem from the hand of Sennacherib the king of Assyria, and from the hand of all others, and guided them on every side.
²³ And many brought gifts unto Jehovah to Jerusalem, and precious things to Hezekiah king of Judah; so that he was exalted in the sight of all nations from thenceforth.

(Verses 24-33: the conclusion of Hezekiah's reign.)

²⁴ In those days Hezekiah was sick even unto death: and he prayed unto Jehovah; and he spake unto him, and gave him a sign.

(This story was also covered in detail in 2 Kings 20:1-6. God added days to Hezekiah's life: fifteen years.)

²⁵ But Hezekiah rendered not again according to the benefit done unto him; for his heart was lifted up: therefore there was wrath upon him, and upon Judah and Jerusalem.

(Hezekiah did not turn back to God regarding the reward given to him because his heart was lifted up (pride) therefore wrath came upon him and Judah and Jerusalem. We know that Manasseh was born and was twelve years old when Hezekiah's additional fifteen years ended.)

²⁶ Notwithstanding Hezekiah humbled himself for the pride of his heart, both he and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the wrath of Jehovah came not upon them in the days of Hezekiah.

(Hezekiah did humble himself, and also those in Jerusalem. Again, we know God's wrath came upon them after Hezekiah died.)

²⁷ And Hezekiah had exceeding much riches and honor: and he provided him treasuries for silver, and for gold, and for precious stones, and for spices, and for shields, and for all manner of goodly vessels;
²⁸ store-houses also for the increase of grain and new wine and oil; and stalls for all manner of beasts, and flocks in folds.
²⁹ Moreover he provided him cities, and possessions of flocks and herds in abundance; for God had given him very much substance.
³⁰ This same Hezekiah also stopped the upper spring of the waters of Gihon, and brought them straight down on the west side of the city of David. And Hezekiah prospered in all his works.
³¹ Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to inquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

(God tested Hezekiah’s faith.)

³² Now the rest of the acts of Hezekiah, and his good deeds, behold, they are written in the vision of Isaiah the prophet the son of Amoz, in the book of the kings of Judah and Israel.

(This verse seemed to say that Isaiah wrote the history of the kings of Israel and Judah. This not only applied to both Books of Samuel and both Books of Kings (except the last five chapters of the Book of 2 Kings), but everything in the Books of Chronicles through this chapter. Some people believe Isaiah was killed during the reign of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah.)

³³ And Hezekiah slept with his fathers, and they buried him in the ascent of the sepulchres of the sons of David: and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem did him honor at his death. And Manasseh his son reigned in his stead.

(From this point on, Ezra was seen as having compiled the history. Ezra was president of the Great Synagogue, the group that formed the Old Testament Canon of Scripture.)




2 Chronicles 33

(This chapter covered the reigns of Manasseh and Amon.)

¹ Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign; and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem.
² And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, after the abominations of the nations whom Jehovah cast out before the children of Israel.

(Manasseh reigned over Judah and did evil before God. Remember, Manasseh would not have been born if Hezekiah had not received an additional fifteen years to his life.)

³ For he built again the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; and he reared up altars for the Baalim, and made Asheroth, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served them.
⁴ And he built altars in the house of Jehovah, whereof Jehovah said, In Jerusalem shall my name be for ever.

(Manasseh rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah took down and he even built altars inside the temple.)

⁵ And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Jehovah.
⁶ He also made his children to pass through the fire in the valley of the son of Hinnom; and he practised augury, and used enchantments, and practised sorcery, and dealt with them that had familiar spirits, and with wizards: he wrought much evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger.

(Manasseh passed his children through fire.)

⁷ And he set the graven image of the idol, which he had made, in the house of God, of which God said to David and to Solomon his son, In this house, and in Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, will I put my name for ever:
⁸ neither will I any more remove the foot of Israel from off the land which I have appointed for your fathers, if only they will observe to do all that I have commanded them, even all the law and the statutes and the ordinances given by Moses.
⁹ And Manasseh seduced Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that they did evil more than did the nations whom Jehovah destroyed before the children of Israel.

(Manasseh made Judah and those left in Jerusalem do worse than the heathens.)

¹⁰ And Jehovah spake to Manasseh, and to his people; but they gave no heed.

(God spoke to Manasseh and the people but they would not listen. These people had no good reason to complain about God not being with them. God spoke to them even when they did evil.)

¹¹ Wherefore Jehovah brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh in chains, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
¹² And when he was in distress, he besought Jehovah his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.

(When Manasseh was in affliction, he humbled himself "greatly" before God. Would this last?)

¹³ And he prayed unto him; and he was entreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah he was God.

(God heard his prayer and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that Jehovah was God. Manasseh believed.)

¹⁴ Now after this he built an outer wall to the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entrance at the fish gate; and he compassed Ophel about with it, and raised it up to a very great height: and he put valiant captains in all the fortified cities of Judah.
¹⁵ And he took away the foreign gods, and the idol out of the house of Jehovah, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of Jehovah, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
¹⁶ And he built up the altar of Jehovah, and offered thereon sacrifices of peace-offerings and of thanksgiving, and commanded Judah to serve Jehovah, the God of Israel.
¹⁷ Nevertheless the people sacrificed still in the high places, but only unto Jehovah their God.

(Manasseh repaired the altar but the people still sacrificed in the high places but to God.)

¹⁸ Now the rest of the acts of Manasseh, and his prayer unto his God, and the words of the seers that spake to him in the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel, behold, they are written among the acts of the kings of Israel.
¹⁹ His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places wherein he built high places, and set up the Asherim and the graven images, before he humbled himself: behold, they are written in the history of Hozai.

(The History of Hozai?? The word Hozai was a non-translated variant of the word "seer." The KJV translated "the history of Hozai" as "the sayings of the seers.")

²⁰ So Manasseh slept with his fathers, and they buried him in his own house: and Amon his son reigned in his stead.
²¹ Amon was twenty and two years old when he began to reign; and he reigned two years in Jerusalem.
²² And he did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, as did Manasseh his father; and Amon sacrificed unto all the graven images which Manasseh his father had made, and served them.

(Amon reigned over Judah and did evil before God.)

²³ And he humbled not himself before Jehovah, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.

(Amon did not humble himself like Manasseh but sinned against God continually.)

²⁴ And his servants conspired against him, and put him to death in his own house.
²⁵ But the people of the land slew all them that had conspired against king Amon; and the people of the land made Josiah his son king in his stead.

(Amon’s own servants killed him and the people made Josiah king instead.)

(This post covered the reigns of Hezekiah, Manasseh, and Amon.)

Day 130