Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 31

Verse 1

2. Hezekiah’s Passover 30:1-31:1

"Following the restoration of the temple and its services in ch. 29, the emphasis now falls heavily upon Hezekiah’s strenuous efforts to reunite in worship the hitherto separated peoples of the north and south." [Note: Williamson, 1 and 2 . . ., p. 360.]

Hezekiah wanted all the Israelites, namely, those left in the Northern Kingdom following its captivity, as well as the Judahites, to rededicate themselves to Yahweh (2 Chronicles 30:1-9). Many in Israel had no interest in doing this (2 Chronicles 30:10), but some responded positively, as did many of the people in Judah (2 Chronicles 30:11-12). The complete repentance of the Israelites in the north might have resulted in God setting free many of the captive exiles (2 Chronicles 30:9).

"Sometimes people refuse to repent out of a sense of hopelessness, but Hezekiah reminds that it is never too late to return to God." [Note: Thompson, p. 353.]

Large numbers of the people who came to the feast had not prepared themselves as the Mosaic Law specified. This group included priests and Levites who were ashamed of their uncleanness (2 Chronicles 30:15). This revelation shows how the people had disregarded the Law. God pardoned ritual uncleanness if the worshipper’s heart was right (2 Chronicles 30:18-20; cf. John 7:22-23; John 9:14-16). The heart attitude is more important than ritual cleanliness.

The feast was such a success that Hezekiah extended the celebration another week (2 Chronicles 30:23). Great joy followed return to the Lord and His temple (2 Chronicles 30:26).

"Hezekiah is portrayed here as a second Solomon (2 Chronicles 30:26), and the celebration of the Passover is a watershed between the disruption of Israel after Solomon’s death and a return to the spiritual conditions that existed in Solomon’s day." [Note: Ibid., p. 350.]

God paid attention to the prayers of the rededicated Israelites (2 Chronicles 30:27). Josiah carried out his Passover (2 Chronicles 35:1-19) in stricter conformity to the Mosaic Law, but Hezekiah’s Passover was the greatest-in terms of participation and spiritual renewal-since Solomon’s reign (2 Chronicles 30:26).

Verses 2-21

3. Re-establishment of proper worship 31:2-21

The king organized the priests and Levites again into the divisions David had specified. Evidently Hezekiah’s predecessors had not observed these divisions. He also instituted tithing again as the Mosaic Law commanded (cf. Leviticus 27:30; Numbers 18:8; Deuteronomy 14:28). Because the people responded obediently, there was an abundance of money for temple maintenance and for its servants (2 Chronicles 31:10). The principle these reforms illustrate is that when God’s people obey His Word, they prosper (in some form). God always desires people’s welfare. Hezekiah prospered, too (2 Chronicles 31:21), because he sought God with all his heart, as David had done. In New Testament terms, he did all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31).