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Texts -- 2 Chronicles 31:1-19 (NET)

Context
31:1 When all this was over , the Israelites who were in the cities of Judah went out and smashed the sacred pillars , cut down the Asherah poles , and demolished all the high places and altars throughout Judah , Benjamin , Ephraim , and Manasseh . Then all the Israelites returned to their own homes in their cities .
The People Contribute to the Temple
31:2 Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and Levites to do their assigned tasks – to offer burnt sacrifices and present offerings and to serve , give thanks , and offer praise in the gates of the Lord’s sanctuary . 31:3 The king contributed some of what he owned for burnt sacrifices , including the morning and evening burnt sacrifices and the burnt sacrifices made on Sabbaths , new moon festivals , and at other appointed times prescribed in the law of the Lord . 31:4 He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedient to the law of the Lord . 31:5 When the edict was issued , the Israelites freely contributed the initial portion of their grain , wine , olive oil , honey , and all the produce of their fields . They brought a tenth of everything , which added up to a huge amount . 31:6 The Israelites and people of Judah who lived in the cities of Judah also contributed a tenth of their cattle and sheep , as well as a tenth of the holy items consecrated to the Lord their God . They brought them and placed them in many heaps . 31:7 In the third month they began piling their contributions in heaps and finished in the seventh month . 31:8 When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps , they praised the Lord and pronounced blessings on his people Israel . 31:9 When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps , 31:10 Azariah , the head priest from the family of Zadok , said to him, “Since the contributions began arriving in the Lord’s temple , we have had plenty to eat and have a large quantity left over . For the Lord has blessed his people , and this large amount remains .” 31:11 Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in the Lord’s temple . When this was done , 31:12 they brought in the contributions , tithes , and consecrated items that had been offered . Konaniah , a Levite , was in charge of all this, assisted by his brother Shimei . 31:13 Jehiel , Azaziah , Nahath , Asahel , Jerimoth , Jozabad , Eliel , Ismakiah , Mahath , and Benaiah worked under the supervision of Konaniah and his brother Shimei , as directed by King Hezekiah and Azariah , the supervisor of God’s temple . 31:14 Kore son of Imnah , a Levite and the guard on the east side , was in charge of the voluntary offerings made to God and disbursed the contributions made to the Lord and the consecrated items . 31:15 In the cities of the priests , Eden , Miniamin , Jeshua , Shemaiah , Amariah , and Shecaniah faithfully assisted him in making disbursements to their fellow priests according to their divisions , regardless of age . 31:16 They made disbursements to all the males three years old and up who were listed in the genealogical records – to all who would enter the Lord’s temple to serve on a daily basis and fulfill their duties as assigned to their divisions . 31:17 They made disbursements to the priests listed in the genealogical records by their families , and to the Levites twenty years old and up, according to their duties as assigned to their divisions , 31:18 and to all the infants , wives , sons , and daughters of the entire assembly listed in the genealogical records , for they faithfully consecrated themselves. 31:19 As for the descendants of Aaron , the priests who lived in the outskirts of all their cities , men were assigned to disburse portions to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed in the genealogical records .

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • Tithes

    [nave] TITHES Paid by Abraham to Melchizedek, Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:2-6. Jacob vows a tenth of all his property to God, Gen. 28:22. Mosaic laws instituting, Lev. 27:30-33; Num. 18:21-24; Deut. 12:6, 7, 17, 19; 14:22-29; 26:12-15. C...

  • TITHE

    [ebd] a tenth of the produce of the earth consecrated and set apart for special purposes. The dedication of a tenth to God was recognized as a duty before the time of Moses. Abraham paid tithes to Melchizedek (Gen. 14:20; Heb. 7:6...
    [isbe] TITHE - tith (ma`aser; dekate): The custom of giving a 10th part of the products of the land and of the spoils of war to priests and kings (1 Macc 10:31; 11:35; 1 Sam 8:15,17) was a very ancient one among most nations. That ...

  • SACRIFICE, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, 2

    [isbe] SACRIFICE, IN THE OLD TESTAMENT, 2 - V. The Mosaic Sacrificial System. 1. The Covenant Sacrifice: The fundamental function of Moses' work was to establish the covenant between Israel and God. This important transaction took ...

  • Rulers

    [nave] RULERS Appointed and removed by God. See: Government, God in. Chastised, Dan. 4. See: Nation. Monarchical, See: Kings. Patriarchal, Gen. 27:29, 37. Instances of Nimrod, Gen. 10:8-10. Abraham, Gen. 14:13-24; 17:6; 21:2...

  • Revivals

    [nave] REVIVALS. Religious Zech. 8:20-23. Prayer for, Hab. 3:2. Prophecies concerning, Isa. 32:15; Joel 2:28; Mic. 4:1-8; Hab. 3:2. Instances of Under Joshua, Josh. 5:2-9; Samuel, 1 Sam. 7:1-6; Elijah, 1 Kin. 18:17-40; Jehoas...

  • Priest

    [nave] PRIEST. Before Moses Melchizedek, Gen. 14:18; Heb. 5:6, 10, 11; 6:20; 7:1-21. Jethro, Ex. 2:16. Priests in Israel before the giving of the law, Ex. 19:22, 24. Called angel, Eccl. 5:6. Mosaic Ex. 28:1-4; 29:9, 44; Num....

  • Pension

    [nave] PENSION, of Levites, 2 Chr. 31:16-18.

  • Liberality

    [nave] LIBERALITY. Ex. 22:29, 30 Ex. 13:2, 12. Ex. 23:15 Ex. 34:20. Ex. 25:1-8; Ex. 35:4-29; Ex. 36:3-6; Ex. 38:8; Lev. 19:5 Lev. 22:29; Num. 35:8. Deut. 12:11, 12, 17-19; Deut. 14:27-29; Deut. 15:7-18; Deut. 16:10, 17; Deut. 18:1...

  • Levites

    [nave] LEVITES The descendants of Levi. Set apart as ministers of religion, Num. 1:47-54; 3:6-16; 16:9; 26:57-62; Deut. 10:8; 1 Chr. 15:2. Substituted in the place of the firstborn, Num. 3:12, 41-45; 8:14, 16-18; 18:6. Religious ...

  • JERIMOTH

    [ebd] heights. (1.) One of the sons of Bela (1 Chr. 7:7). (2.) 1 Chr. 24:30, a Merarite Levite. (3.) A Benjamite slinger who joined David at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:5). (4.) A Levitical musician under Heman his father (1 Chr. 25:4). (5....
    [isbe] JERIMOTH - jer'-i-moth (see JEREMOTH, (c)): (1) A Benjamite (1 Ch 7:7). (2) A Benjamite who joined David at Ziklag, or perhaps a Judean (1 Ch 12:5 (Hebrew 6)). (3) In 1 Ch 24:30 = JEREMOTH, (4) (which see). (4) A Levite musi...
    [smith] (heights). Son or descendant of Bela. (1 Chronicles 7:7) He is perhaps the same as who joined David at Ziklag. (1 Chronicles 12:5) (B.C. 1055.) A son of Beecher, (1 Chronicles 7:8) and head of a Benjamite house. Son...

  • Israel

    [nave] ISRAEL 1. A name given to Jacob, Gen. 32:24-32; 2 Kin. 17:34; Hos. 12:3, 4. 2. A name of the Christ in prophecy, Isa. 49:3. 3. A name given to the descendants of Jacob, a nation. Called also Israelites, and Hebrews, Gen. 4...

  • Influence

    [nave] INFLUENCE. Evil 1 Kin. 11:3, 4; 1 Kin. 15:25, 26; 1 Kin. 21:25; 1 Kin. 22:51-53; 2 Kin. 8:16-18, 25-27; 2 Kin. 17:21, 22; 2 Kin. 21:9; 2 Chr. 21:5, 6; 2 Chr. 22:3-5; 2 Chr. 33:9; Prov. 22:24, 25; Prov. 29:12; Jer. 17:1, 2;...

  • Hezekiah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah has strengthened. (1.) Son of Ahaz (2 Kings 18:1; 2 Chr. 29:1), whom he succeeded on the throne of the kingdom of Judah. He reigned twenty-nine years (B.C. 726-697). The history of this king is contained in 2 Ki...
    [nave] HEZEKIAH 1. King of Judah, 2 Kin. 16:20; 18:1, 2; 1 Chr. 3:13; 2 Chr. 29:1; Matt. 1:9. Religious zeal of, 2 Chr. 29; 30; 31. Purges the nation of idolatry, 2 Kin. 18:4; 2 Chr. 31:1; 33:3. Restores the true forms of worshi...

  • GENEALOGY, 1-7

    [isbe] GENEALOGY, 1-7 - je-na-al'-o-ji, jen-a-al'-o-ji: 1. Definition 2. Biblical References 3. Importance of Genealogies 4. Their Historical Value 5. Principles of Interpretation 6. Principles of Compilation 7. Sources 8. Principa...

  • Encamp

    [ebd] An encampment was the resting-place for a longer or shorter period of an army or company of travellers (Ex. 13:20; 14:19; Josh. 10:5; 11:5). The manner in which the Israelites encamped during their march through the wilderne...

  • Courses

    [ebd] When David was not permitted to build the temple, he proceeded, among the last acts of his life, with the assistance of Zadok and Ahimelech, to organize the priestly and musical services to be conducted in the house of God. ...

  • Church and State

    [nave] CHURCH AND STATE (Identical in the theocratic period. No particular Scripture can be cited, but the student is directed to the legislative, judicial, and administrative functions of Moses, Joshua, the Judges, and Samuel as s...

  • CONANIAH

    [isbe] CONANIAH - kon-a-ni'-a (konanyahu, "Jah has rounded or sustained"; the King James Version Cononiah): (1) A Levite, appointed with his brother Shimei by Hezekiah, the king, and Azariah, the ruler of the house of God, to be ov...

  • CAPTAIN

    [ebd] (1.) Heb. sar (1 Sam. 22:2; 2 Sam. 23:19). Rendered "chief," Gen. 40:2; 41:9; rendered also "prince," Dan. 1:7; "ruler," Judg. 9:30; "governor,' 1 Kings 22:26. This same Hebrew word denotes a military captain (Ex. 18:21; 2 K...
    [isbe] CAPTAIN - kap'-tin: In the King James Version there are no fewer than 13 Hebrew words, and 4 different Greek words, which are rendered by this one English word. In the Revised Version (British and American) some of these are...

  • Amariah

    [ebd] said by Jehovah. (1.) One of the descendants of Aaron by Eleazar (1 Chr. 6:7,52). He was probably the last of the high priests of Eleazar's line prior to the transfer of that office to Eli, of the line of Ithamar. (2.) A Lev...
    [isbe] AMARIAH - am-a-ri'-a ('amaryah and 'amaryahu, "the Lord has said"; compare HPN, 180, 285). (1) A Levite in the line of Aaron-Eleazar; a son of Meraioth and grandfather of Zadok (1 Ch 6:7,52) who lived in David's time. Compar...
    [smith] (the Lord says , i.e. promises). Father of Ahitub according to (1 Chronicles 6:7,52) and son of Meraioth, in the line of the high priests. The high priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat. (2 Chronicles 19:11) He was the so...
    [nave] AMARIAH 1. Two Levites, 1 Chr. 6:7, 52; 23:19; 24:23. 2. Chief priest in the reign of Jehoshaphat, 2 Chr. 19:11. 3. A high priest, father of Ahitub, 1 Chr. 6:11; Ezra 7:3. 4. A Levite, who assisted in distributing temple ...

Arts

Questions

  • The following material from The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia should be helpful here: III. Significant numbers Numbers are also used with a symbolical or theological significance. One is used to convey th...
  • The question of tithing has been frequently discussed and is ever a fruitful one. A tithe is a tenth of the increase over and above all administrative expenses and not a tenth of the principal. In early days, when agriculture...

Sermon Illustrations

Scriptural Illustrations of Revival

Resources/Books

Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)

  • A complete and comprehensive explanation of the official duties and revenues of the priests and Levites appropriately follows the confirmation of Aaron's priesthood. This was God's reply to the frightened cries of the people ...
  • The Book of Samuel covers the period of Israel's history bracketed by Samuel's conception and the end of David's reign. David turned the kingdom over to Solomon in 971 B.C.3David reigned for 40 and one-half years (2 Sam. 2:11...
  • Hezekiah began reigning as his father Ahaz's vice-regent in 729 B.C. and ruled as such for 14 years. In 715 B.C. he began his sole rule over Judah that lasted until 697 B.C. (18 years). He then reigned with his son Manasseh w...
  • Chronicles covers a broader period of history than any other Old Testament book. It begins with Adam and ends with Anani who lived eight generations after King Jehoiachin (1 Chron. 3:24). If we allow 25 years for each generat...
  • Even though 1 and 2 Chronicles give one continuous story the emphasis in 2 Chronicles is different from that in 1 Chronicles. In 1 Chronicles the emphasis is the importance of the temple in national life. However in 2 Chronic...
  • (Continued from notes on 1 Chronicles)III. The reign of Solomon chs. 1-9A. Solomon's wisdom and prosperity ch. 1B. The building of the temple 2:1-5:11. Preparations for building the temple ch. 22. The temple proper 3:1-93. Th...
  • Ahaz had closed the temple and had set up other centers of worship throughout the land (28:24-25). Hezekiah reopened the temple and cleansed it in preparation for reusing it (vv. 3, 5). Whereas the writer of Kings described H...
  • 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. Le...
  • The texts of the individual psalms do not usually indicate who wrote them.1However some of the titles of the individual psalms do contain information about the writers.2This is the only really reliable information we have as ...
  • Chapters 36-39 conclude the section of the book dealing with the issue of trust by giving historical proof that Yahweh will protect those who trust in Him. In these chapters, King Hezekiah represents the people of Judah.344Th...
  • 36:1 The fourteenth year of Hezekiah was 701 B.C.350On an Assyrian record, Sennacherib claimed to have taken 46 cities of Judah during this campaign (cf. 2 Chron. 32:1).351"He went from the north along the coast defeating (am...
  • 38:1 The phrase "In those days"identifies the reign of Hezekiah, the Judean king mentioned in the preceding chapters. Since the Lord added 15 years to Hezekiah's life (v. 5), and since Hezekiah died about 686 B.C.,373the time...
  • 35:1 This oracle came to Jeremiah during King Jehoiakim's reign (609-598 B.C.) after the Babylonians had begun to invade Judah (v. 11). Second Kings 24:1-2 reads, "In his [Jehoiakim's] days Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came...
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