2 Chronicles - Chapter 31

2 Chronicles 31.1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. 2 Chronicles 31.2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 31.3 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 the LORD. 2 Chronicles 31.4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 31.5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 2 Chronicles 31.6 And concerning 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 holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps. 2 Chronicles 31.7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. 2 Chronicles 31.8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. 2 Chronicles 31.9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 2 Chronicles 31.10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store. 2 Chronicles 31.11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them, 2 Chronicles 31.12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next. 2 Chronicles 31.13 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 Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God. 2 Chronicles 31.14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things. 2 Chronicles 31.15 And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small: 2 Chronicles 31.16 Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses; 2 Chronicles 31.17 Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses; 2 Chronicles 31.18 And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness: 2 Chronicles 31.19 Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites. 2 Chronicles 31.20 And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God. 2 Chronicles 31.21 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.

2 Chronicles : Chapter 31

Hezekiah's Reforms and Faithfulness to God

Chapter 31 of the book of 2 Chronicles highlights the significant reforms undertaken by King Hezekiah. This text questions how faithfulness to God is concretely translated into our daily lives and spiritual practices. Through the destruction of idols, the reorganization of the priesthood, and the restoration of tithes, Hezekiah offers us a model of devotion and respect for God's commandments.

Essential Themes

This chapter addresses fundamental themes such as stewardship, generosity, and the importance of supporting the ministry. Indeed, 2 Chronicles 31 highlights the prosperity that comes from obedience to God, illustrating that faithfulness brings spiritual and material blessings.

Five Bible Passages Related to Hezekiah's Principles

We invite you to meditate on five Bible passages that resonate with the principles outlined in this inspiring chapter:

Malachi 3:10

"Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house. Put Me to the test, says the Lord of hosts, and see if I will not open the windows of heaven and pour out so much blessing upon you that you will not have nowhere to store them."

This verse reaffirms the importance of bringing our offerings and tithes to the temple, a central principle of 2 Chronicles 31.

1 Corinthians 9:13-14

"Do you not know that those who work in the temple eat of the things of the temple, and those who serve at the altar partake of what is offered on the altar? In the same way, the Lord has commanded those who preach the gospel to live according to the gospel."

Paul here emphasizes the importance of supporting the priests, a fundamental aspect also present in Hezekiah's reforms.

Nehemiah 13:10-12

"I also learned that the portions intended for the Levites were not being given to them, and that all the Levites and singers who were in charge of the service had returned to their own lands. So I rebuked the officials and asked them, 'Why is the temple of God forsaken?' So I summoned the Levites and placed them in their positions. All Judah was bringing tithes of grain, new wine, and oil into the granaries."

This passage echoes the need to maintain dedicated service at the temple, illustrating the importance of community engagement.

2 Kings 18:5-6

"Hezekiah trusted in the Lord, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before or after him. He clung to the Lord and did not stop following him; he obeyed the commandments the Lord had given to Moses."

This passage completes the account in 2 Chronicles 31, highlighting Hezekiah's exemplary faithfulness.

Proverbs 3:9-10

"Honor the Lord with all your resources and with the firstfruits of all your crops; your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your barrels will burst with wine."

This proverb recalls the principle of honoring God with our possessions, as also demonstrated in 2 Chronicles 31.

By meditating on these passages, we are called to renew our commitment to God and to live a life of faithfulness, generosity, and support for His work.