Ver. 1. To Ephraim and Manasseh.] That is, To all that were left of the ten tribes under king Hoshea, who, being rather atheist than idolater, and brought very low by the Assyrian, hindered not the people’s going up to the temple. The good of our brethren in other kingdoms mast also be minded.
Ver. 2. To keep the passover in the second month.] He knew that nunquam sero si serio. See Numbers 9:10. If we can but say, with Augustine, Nimis sero te amavi Domine, all shall do well.
Ver. 3. For they could not keep it at that time.] Namely, On the fourteenth day of the first month, for the two following reasons. See the like, Numbers 9:10,11.
Ver. 4. And all the congregation.] Who might here well say, in the courtier’s language, Whatsoever pleaseth the king shall please me.
Ver. 5. For they had not done it of a long time.] So easily falleth religion to the ground under bad princes and priests: such as were Ahaz and Uriah.
Ver. 6. Ye children of Israel, turn again to the Lord.] Hezekiah knew that the poor remnant of Israel were in great affliction: he therefore presseth them to repentance, whereby men return to God, as by sin they run from him. Afflictiones sunt lex practice (Psalms 119:71) Hezekiah thought it was good striking while the iron was hot.
Ver. 7. Who gave them up to desolation.] Heb., To astonishment: fecit ut omnes mirarentur, ac misererentur. As ye see.] For it is to be hoped that your afflictions—those pillulae lucis -have cleared up your eyesight.
Ver. 8. But yield yourselves unto the Lord.] Heb., Give the hand; i.e., submit to his justice, and implore his mercy; put yourselves into the hands of justice, in hope of mercy. “Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift you up.” (James 5:10) “He will not take the wicked by the hand.” (Job 8:20, margin)
Ver. 9. Your brethren…shall find compassion, &c.] A forcible reason; if but for your poor brethren and children’s sake, who shall find favour with their enemies for your piety and prayers, turn to the Lord. This because they did not, themselves also were shortly after carried captive by Shalmaneser, and never returned.
Ver. 10. But they laughed them to scorn.] So profane and superstitious they were; so ready ripe for rain. It is a sad foretoken of a common calamity, when religion is become a matter, not of form only, but of scorn. Josephus saith that these Israelites thus invited slew both the messengers, and those prophets also that exhorted them to go up.
Ver. 11. Nevertheless, divers of Asher… humbled.] And were hid, no doubt, when the rest were carried captive by Shalmaneser. Preserved they were, if not from the common destruction, yet from the common distraction; for God “will save the humble person.” (Job 22:29)
Ver. 12. Also in Judah the hand of God,] i.e., The grace of God; whose alone it is to work the heart to good, and to give “repentance unto life.” His grace is irresistible.
Ver. 13. A very great congregation.] Brought thither by God’s holy hand; (2 Chronicles 30:12) yea, the arm of the Lord was revealed unto them. (Isaiah 53:1)
Ver. 14. And took away the altars.] With other instruments of superstition: the brazen serpent also, because it was abused by the people. See 2 Kings 18:4. [See Trapp on “2Ki 18:4”]
Ver. 15. Then they killed the passover.] So must we first cast the baggage into the brook, and then come to the Lord’s supper. (1 Corinthians 5:7,8) And the priests and Levites were ashamed.] As well they might, that they had been so slack and backward to so good a business, so generally and zealously set upon.
Ver. 16. The blood which they received of the hands of the Levites.] Part of the blood they sprinkled as a type of that “blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things” for us; and part to be poured out by the priest upon the earth, to show that the best have deserved to be destroyed, and that God is the Lord of life and of death.
Ver. 17. The charge of the killing of the passovers.] That is, Not only of the paschal lamb, but of the passover offerings, (2 Chronicles 35:7,8) called here passovers.
Ver. 18. Many of Ephraim and Manasseh, &c.] Who had been a long while without God, without law, and without a teaching priest; (2 Chronicles 15:3) these came rudely and unreverently to the passover, and some way smarted for it. In the gospel, he that came in without a wedding garment on his back, went not out without fetters on his feet. And “for this cause many are weak and sickly amongst you, and some are fallen asleep,” i.e., dead outright. (1 Corinthians 11:30) The good Lord pardon every one.] Iehovah optimus praestet Spiritu suo quod isti temporis importunitate praetermiserunt: the good Lord make us by his Spirit, what, through want of time or means, is wanting to this poor people, and graciously accept their weak but willing services, &c.
Ver. 19. That prepareth his heart.] As well as he is able, though he fall far short of what he should be. The bent, frame, and tendencies of the heart show what the man is.
Ver. 20. And healed the people.] He healed them on both sides: “he forgave all their iniquities, and healed all their diseases.” (Psalms 103:3)
Ver. 21. Singing with loud instruments.] Heb., With instruments of strength; or, concerning the strength and power of God, as Munster senseth it.
Ver. 22. And Hezekiah spake comfortably to all the Levites.] Heb., To the heart of all the Levites: he cheered them up, and encouraged them to do their work lustily, promising them his best assistance. Few such princes. Some sense the words thus: He spake unto them words piercing to the heart, that they should take upon them and continue the care of instructing the people. Others thus: He instructed them in the free grace and rich mercy of God, who accepteth of those that are upright in heart, though there may be some outward failings. A most comfortable doctrine indeed. That taught the good knowledge of the Lord.] And therefore had the more need of encouragement under so laborious an employment. Cajetan.
Ver. 23. And they kept other seven days.] Gaudet solennitas haec produci, as Augustine saith of the feast of pentecost. This they did, partly to make amends for their former neglect of this holy service, and partly to keep their hearts in so good a frame, to retain the gladness they had in the first seven: as the silkworm stretcheth forth herself before she spinneth her finest thread.
Ver. 24. And the princes gave a thousand bullocks.] Neither the king nor princes spared for cost to further so good a motion, and to draw the people to stay with delight; those of the ten tribes especially, that they may be better instructed.
Ver. 25. And all the congregation…rejoiced.] This was right; for all God’s worships were to be celebrated with joy; (Deuteronomy 12:7) and joy is a condition of an acceptable service. (Deuteronomy 26:14) Sacrifices offered in mourning were an abomination, (Hosea 9:4) yea, accursed of God. (Deuteronomy 28:47)
Ver. 26. There was not the like in Jerusalem.] Since the revolt of the ten tribes, there was not such a panegyris, or general assembly, nor so great a festivity.
Ver. 27. Arose and blessed the people.] Which was a part of their office. See the form. (Numbers 6:23)