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Texts -- 2 Chronicles 31:1-20 (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 . 31:20 This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah . He did what the Lord his God considered good and right and faithful .

Pericope

NET

Bible Dictionary

  • 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...

  • 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;...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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...

  • 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....

  • 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 ...

  • Azariah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah helps. (1.) Son of Ethan, of the tribe of Judah (1 Chr. 2:8). (2.) Son of Ahimaaz, who succeeded his grandfather Zadok as high priest (1 Chr. 6:9; 1 Kings 4:2) in the days of Solomon. He officiated at the consec...
    [smith] (whom the Lord helps) a common name in Hebrew, and especially in the families of the priests of the line of Eleazar, whose name has precisely the same meaning as Azariah. It is nearly identical, and is often confounded, with ...
    [nave] AZARIAH 1. Son of Ethan, 1 Chr. 2:8. 2. Son of Jehu, 1 Chr. 2:38, 39. 3. Son of Zadok, 1 Kin. 4:2; perhaps identical with No. 6, below. 4. Captain of Solomon's guards, 1 Kin. 4:5. 5. A prophet, called Oded, 2 Chr. 15:1; ...

  • Shimei

    [ebd] famous. (1.) A son of Gershon, and grandson of Levi (Num. 3:18; 1 Chr. 6:17, 29); called Shimi in Ex. 6:17. (2.) A Benjamite of the house of Saul, who stoned and cursed David when he reached Bahurim in his flight from Jerusa...
    [isbe] SHIMEI - shim'-e-i (shim`i, possibly "hear me (El)" or "(Jah)"; Semeei, Semei): A name of frequent occurrence throughout the Old Testament records, sometimes varying slightly in form in English Versions of the Bible. The Kin...
    [smith] (renowned). Son of Gershon the son of Levi, (Numbers 3:18; 1 Chronicles 6:17,29; 23:7,9,10; Zechariah 12:13) called SHIMI in (Exodus 6:17) (B.C. after 1706.) Shimei the son of Gera, a Benjamite of the house of Saul, who l...
    [nave] SHIMEI 1. Called also Shimi. Son of Gershon, Ex. 6:17; Num. 3:18; 1 Chr. 6:17; 23:7, 10. 2. A Benjamite. Curses David; David's magnanimity toward, 2 Sam. 16:5-13; 19:16-23, with 1 Kin. 2:36-46. 3. An officer of David, 1 K...

  • 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...

  • 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 ...

  • 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 ...

  • Cononiah

    [smith] (appointed by the Lord), a Levite, ruler of the offerings and tithes in the time of Hezekiah. (2 Chronicles 31:12,13) (B.C. 726.)
    [nave] CONONIAH, name of two Israelites, 2 Chr. 31:12, 13; 35:9.

  • 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...

  • Kore

    [ebd] partridge. (1.) A Levite and temple-warder of the Korahites, the son of Asaph. He was father of Shallum and Meshelemiah, temple-porters (1 Chr. 9:19; 26:1). (2.) A Levitical porter at the east gate of the temple (2 Chr. 31:1...
    [isbe] KORE - ko-'re (qore, "one who proclaims"): (1) A Levite of David's time, descended from Kohath and Korah. See KORAH, 4. Shallum, Chief doorkeeper in the latest Bible times, is described as "the son of Kore, the son of Ebiasa...
    [smith] (partridge). A Korahite, ancestor of Shallum and Meshelemiah, chief porters in the reign of David. (1 Chronicles 9:19; 26:1) (B.C. 1014.) Son of Imnah, a Levite in the reign of Hezekiah. He had charge of the offerings. (2...
    [nave] KORE 1. A Korahite, 1 Chr. 9:19; 26:1. 2. A Levite, keeper of the east gate, 2 Chr. 31:14.

  • Shemaiah

    [ebd] whom Jehovah heard. (1.) A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam (1 Kings 12:22-24). (2.) Neh. 3:29. (3.) A Simeonite (1 Chr. 4:37). (4.) A priest (Neh. 12:42). (5.) A Levite (1 Chr. 9:16). (6.) 1 Chr. 9:14; Neh. 11:15. (7.) A Le...
    [isbe] SHEMAIAH - she-ma'-ya, she-mi'-a (shema`yah (in 2 Ch 11:2; 17:8; 31:15; 35:9; Jer 26:20; 29:24; 36:12, shema`yahu), "Jahveh hears"): The name is most frequently borne by priests, Levites and prophets. (1) Codex Vaticanus Sam...
    [smith] (heard by Jehovah). A prophet in the reign of Rehoboam. (1 Kings 12:22; 2 Chronicles 11:2) (B.C. 972.) He wrote a chronicle containing the events of Rehoboam?s reign. (2 Chronicles 12:5,15) The son of Shechaniah, am...
    [nave] SHEMAIAH 1. A prophet in the time of Rehoboam. Prevents Rehoboam from war with Jeroboam, 1 Kin. 12:22-24; 2 Chr. 11:2-4. Prophesies the punishment of Rehoboam by Shishak, king of Egypt, 2 Chr. 12:5, 7. Writes chronicles, 2...

  • Nahath

    [ebd] rest. (1.) One of the four sons of Reuel, the son of Esau (Gen. 36:13, 17). (2.) A Kohathite Levite (1 Chr. 6:26). (3.) A Levite, one of the overseers of the sacred offerings of the temple (2 Chr. 31:13).
    [isbe] NAHATH - na'-hath (nachath): (1) A grandson of Esau (Gen 36:13; 1 Ch 1:37). (2) A descendant of Levi and ancestor of Samuel (1 Ch 6:26); also called "Toah" (1 Ch 6:34) and "Tohu" (1 Sam 1:1). (3) A Levite who, in the time of...
    [smith] (rest). One of the "dukes" of Edom, eldest son of Reuel the son of Esau. (Genesis 36:13,17; 1 Chronicles 1:37) (B.C. 1700.) A Kohathite Levite, son of Zophai. (1 Chronicles 6:26) A Levite in the reign of Hezekiah. (2Â...
    [nave] NAHATH 1. Son of Reuel, Gen. 36:13, 17; 1 Chr. 1:37. 2. Called also Toah and Tohu. A Levite, 1 Chr. 6:26, 34; 1 Sam. 1:1. 3. A Levite and overseer of the sacred offerings, 2 Chr. 31:13.

  • Eliel

    [ebd] to whom God is might. (1.) A chief of Manasseh, on the east of Jordan (1 Chr. 5:24). (2.) A Gadite who joined David in the hold at Ziklag (1 Chr. 12:11). (3.) One of the overseers of the offerings in the reign of Hezekiah (2...
    [isbe] ELIEL - e-li'-el, el'-i-el ('eli'el, "El is God," or "my God is God"): (1, 2, 3) Mighty men of David (1 Ch 11:46,47; 12:11). (4) A chief of Manasseh, east of the Jordan (1 Ch 5:24). (5, 6) Two chiefs of Benjamin (1 Ch 8:20,2...
    [smith] (to whom God is strength). One of the heads of the tribe of Manasseh on the east of Jordan. (1 Chronicles 5:24) A forefather of Samuel the prophet. (1 Chronicles 6:34) A chief man in the tribe of Benjamin. (1 Chroni...
    [nave] ELIEL 1. A chief of Manasseh, 1 Chr. 5:24. 2. Son of Toah, 1 Chr. 6:34. 3. Two Benjamite chiefs, 1 Chr. 8:20, 22. 4. Three of David's heroes, bearing the same name, 1 Chr. 11:46, 47; 12:11. 5. Chief of Levites, 1 Chr. 15...
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Arts

Questions

  • 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...
  • 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...

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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