# 2 Chronicles 31 š: Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
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> [!info] Table of Contents
> [[#š Scripture Text (NET)]]
> [[#š Verse-by-Verse Commentary]]
> [[#š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights]]
> [[#š§ Chapter Summary]]
> [[#āļø Christ in This Chapter]]
> [[#š Key Principles / š Life Application]]
> [[#š¬ Discussion Questions]]
> [[#āļø Key Verses to Remember]]
> [[#š Related Passages/Cross Reference]]
> [[#š Devotional Reflection]]
> [[#š Internal Notes]]
## š Scripture Text (NET)
(The NET Bible: New English Translation. Biblical Studies Press, 2005)
[[#Verse 01.]] When all this was over, the IsraelitesĀ who were in the cities of Judah went out and smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and demolishedĀ all the high places and altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh.Ā Then all the Israelites returned to their own homes in their cities.
### The People Contribute to the Temple
[[#Verse 02.]]Ā Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and Levites to do their assigned tasksāto offer burnt sacrifices and present offerings and to serve, give thanks, and offer praise in the gates of theĀ Lordās sanctuary.
[[#Verse 03.]]Ā The king contributedĀ 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 prescribedĀ in the law of theĀ Lord.Ā
[[#Verse 04.]]Ā He orderedĀ the people living in Jerusalem to contribute the portion prescribed for the priests and Levites so they might be obedientĀ to the law of theĀ Lord.Ā
[[#Verse 05.]]Ā When the edict was issued,Ā the Israelites freely contributedĀ 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.Ā
[[#Verse 06.]]Ā The Israelites and people of JudahĀ 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 theĀ LordĀ their God. They brought them and placed them in many heaps.
[[#Verse 07.]]Ā In the third month they began piling their contributions in heapsĀ and finished in the seventh month.
[[#Verse 08.]]Ā When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised theĀ LordĀ and pronounced blessings on his people Israel.
[[#Verse 09.]]Ā When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps,Ā
[[#Verse 10.]]Ā Azariah, the head priest from the family of Zadok, said to him, āSince the contributions began arriving in theĀ Lordās temple, we have had plenty to eat and have a large quantity left over. For theĀ LordĀ has blessed his people, and this large amount remains.āĀ
[[#Verse 11.]]Ā Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in theĀ Lordās temple. When this was done,Ā
[[#Verse 12.]]Ā they brought in the contributions, tithes,Ā and consecrated items that had been offered.Ā Konaniah, a Levite, was in charge of all this, assisted by his brother Shimei.Ā
[[#Verse 13.]]Ā 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 Godās temple.
[[#Verse 14.]]Ā 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 theĀ LordĀ and the consecrated items.Ā
[[#Verse 15.]]Ā In the cities of the priests, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully assisted him in making disbursements to their fellow priestsĀ according to their divisions, regardless of age.Ā
[[#Verse 16.]]Ā They made disbursements to all the males three years old and up who were listed in the genealogical recordsāto all who would enter theĀ Lordās temple to serve on a daily basis and fulfill their duties as assigned to their divisions.Ā
[[#Verse 17.]]Ā 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,Ā
[[#Verse 18.]]Ā and to all the infants, wives, sons, and daughters of the entire assembly listed in the genealogical records, for they faithfully consecrated themselves.
[[#Verse 19.]]Ā As for the descendants of Aaron, the priests who lived in the outskirts of all their cities,Ā men were assignedĀ to disburse portions to every male among the priests and to every Levite listed in the genealogical records.
[[#Verse 20.]]Ā This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what theĀ LordĀ his God considered good and right and faithful.Ā
[[#Verse 21.]]Ā He wholeheartedly and successfully reinstituted service in Godās temple and obedience to the law, in order to follow his God.
## š Verse-by-Verse Commentary
###### Overall.
###### Verse 01.
###### Verse 02.
###### Verse 03.
###### Verse 04.
###### Verse 05.
###### Verse 06.
###### Verse 07.
###### Verse 08.
###### Verse 09.
###### Verse 10.
###### Verse 11.
###### Verse 12.
###### Verse 13.
###### Verse 14.
###### Verse 15.
###### Verse 16.
###### Verse 17.
###### Verse 18.
###### Verse 19.
###### Verse 20.
###### Verse 21.
## š¤ Interesting Facts / Historical and Cultural Insights
1. The people destroyed sacred pillars, Asherah poles, high places, and altars in Ephraim and Manasseh as well as Judah and Benjamin (31:1).
2. Hezekiah restored the divisions of priests and Levites that David had organized (31:2).
3. Honey was included among the firstfruits the people brought (31:5).
4. The heaps began in the third month, the time of the wheat harvest and the Festival of Weeks (31:7).
5. The heaps were finished in the seventh month, the time of the fall harvest and the Festival of Shelters.
6. The tithe supported the Levites, who had no land inheritance of their own (Numbers 18:21-24).
7. Azariah the chief priest was from the family of Zadok (31:10).
8. Storerooms were prepared in the temple for the gifts (31:11), similar to the storehouse in Malachi 3:10.
9. Kore, a gatekeeper at the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings (31:14).
10. Even small children of the priests were included in the distribution records (31:18).
## š§ Chapter Summary
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## āļø Christ in This Chapter
Christ is the generous King who gave from His own riches for His people. Hezekiah gave from his own possessions for the offerings (31:3), and Jesus, though rich, became poor for our sake so that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).
## š Key Principles / š Life Application
> [!note] š± Still growing. This section is on its way.
## š¬ Discussion Questions
1. After worship, the people went out and tore down their idols (31:1). How should true worship change the way we live?
2. The people gave so generously that there was plenty left over (31:10). What keeps us from giving freely?
3. Hezekiah sought God wholeheartedly in everything he did, and he succeeded (31:21). What would wholehearted seeking look like in your work this week?
## āļø Key Verses to Remember
- š verse 5: The people generously bring the firstfruits of their harvest and a tithe of everything.
- š verse 10: Since the people began bringing offerings, there has been enough to eat and plenty left over.
- š verses 20-21: Hezekiah does what is good, right, and faithful and seeks God wholeheartedly.
## š Related Passages/Cross Reference
- š [[2 Corinthians 08#Verse 09.|2 Corinthians 8:9]] - Christ became poor so we could become rich.
- š [[2 Corinthians 09#Verse 07.|2 Corinthians 9:7]] - God loves a cheerful giver.
- š [[Malachi 03#Verse 10.|Malachi 3:10]] - Bring the full tithe into the storehouse.
- š [[Proverbs 03#Verse 09.|Proverbs 3:9-10]] - Honor the Lord with your firstfruits.
- š [[Matthew 06#Verse 33.|Matthew 6:33]] - Seek first His kingdom.
## š Devotional Reflection
š SOAP: [[2 Chronicles 31 - SOAP|Seek God = Success]]
## š Internal Notes