Ver. 1. Now when all this was finished.] Now that they had heard the law, received the sacrament, and had their hearts filled with the joy of the Lord, which was their strength, and graciously lifted up in the Lord’s ways, as 2 Chronicles 17:6, they returned not home, till they had first done these zealous acts. And brake the images in pieces.] They with their king. (2 Kings 18:4) In Ephraim also and Manasseh.] Such cities therein as were subject to Hezekiah. Or if they went further, they looked upon Hoshea then king of Israel as a usurper: and he being rather an atheist than idolater, suffered the people haply to do herein as they would, so that he might be suffered to sit in the throne. Returned every man to his possession.] They did not cast off their callings, and all care of their affairs, now that they were enlightened, as some of our sectaries hold themselves bound to do.
Ver. 2. In the gates of the tents of the Lord,] i.e., Of the temple, fitly compared to a camp, for the watch and ward there kept by the priests, and for the convention of the people thither, as to their rendezvous, to pray, which is the chief service of our spiritual warfare.
Ver. 3. He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance.] That is, Of his proper goods, and at his own particular cost. This he did of his princely liberality, for the ease of the people, who had been miserably peeled out and impoverished in his father’s days.
Ver. 4. That they might be encouraged.] That havin g των αναγκαιων χωρηγιαν, as Chrysostom hath it, a liberal subsistence, they might serve the Lord without distraction, and with much alacrity: for “ Pluribus intentus minor est ad singula sensus. ”
Ver. 5. And as soon as the commandment came abroad.] Heb., Brake forth. Ahaz had nulled the laws for ministers’ maintenance, that he might bring them to beggary and dishearten them—the like did Julian the apostate; -Hezekiah therefore reviveth those laws with the first: and the people readily obeyeth them. Brought they in abundantly.] Not pinchingly and deceitfully, as now-a-days. Spoliantur Parochiae et Scholae non aliter ac si fame necare nes velint, saith Luther. Our parishes and schools are so robbed of their right, as if they meant to famish us all. To colour the matter, conscience is pretended by some: but the apostle telleth them it is not conscience, but covetousness. (2 Corinthians 9:5) Libenter et liberaliter. Maligne dantibas maledicit Deus (Malachi 3:9)
Ver. 6. Which were consecrated unto the Lord,] i.e., Such as, over and above the tithes ordinarily appointed to be paid, any did voluntarily vow to give: so the Vulgate. See 2 Chronicles 31:8.
Ver. 7. In the third month.] About pentecost which is called the feast of harvest. They began to lay the foundation of the heaps.] That is, Of the grain stacks, brought by the people into the tithe barns. (Malachi 3:10) This they did not, till the king both exhorted them, and began to them. And finished them in the seventh month.] About the feast of tabernacles, called the feast of ingathering at the end of the year. (Exodus 23:16)
Ver. 8. They blessed the Lord.] For so good a year; but especially for so good a frame of spirit in the people.
Ver. 9. Concerning the heaps.] See on 2 Chronicles 31:7.
Ver. 10. And Azariah the chief priest.] The same, saith Lyra, that withstood Uzziah, with so much zeal and courage. For the Lord hath blessed his people.] That is, His priests and people, saith Lavater, who have rightly used and not wasted God’s plenty.
Ver. 11. To prepare chambers.] Or, Storehouses. Prepared they were before by Solomon: but now they were put in order, and made fit for such a use.
Ver. 12. And brought in the offerings.] Sin offerings and thank offerings. And the dedicated things.] See on 2 Chronicles 31:6. Among our forefathers, the statute of Mortmain provided they should give no more to the church. But now there needed no such statute; the springs of men’s bounty being like Jordan turned back. Faithfully.] Heb., In truth: they paid their dues honestly and out of conscience: not counting all well got that was gotten from the priests, as now-a-days they do.
Ver. 13. At the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah.] Without whose advice the king would do nothing in church affairs. The great Turk doth the like with his mufti, [A Muslim priest or expounder of the law] &c.
Ver. 14. Was over the freewill offerings of God.] Super liberalitates Dei, called also the most holy things or sanctities of sanctities. See 2 Chronicles 31:6.
Ver. 15. To give to their brethren by courses.] In a geometrical proportion.
Ver. 16. From three years old.] For these also there was maintenance allotted and allowed: so great was the abundance of the offerings, the people’s liberality, and the king’s providence, piety, and devotion.
Ver. 18. Of all their little ones, their wives, &c.] Their wives and children depended upon them for a maintenance, and had it.
Ver. 20. And wrought that which was good, &c.] This his uprightness was the best stake in his hedge, when the news of death made all crack. (Isaiah 38:3)