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Contributions for Worship

2 Chronicles 31:2-21

Landmark Publications, Inc., 1045 Maynor Street, Nashville, TN 37216, U.S.A., John C. Sewell, Ph.D., Editor.


Contributions for Worship

Text: 2 Chronicles 31:2-21,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

7. In the third month they began piling their contributions in heaps and finished in the seventh month.

8. When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the LORD and pronounced blessings on his people Israel.

9. When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps,



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.”

11. Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in the LORD’s temple. When this was done,

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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,



18. and to all the infants, wives, sons, and daughters of the entire assembly listed in the genealogical records, for they faithfully consecrated themselves.

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.

20. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what the LORD his God considered good and right and faithful.

21. He wholeheartedly and successfully reinstituted service in God’s temple and obedience to the law, in order to follow his God. (NET)

Introduction:

I. Coffman wrote, “There was a wholesale recordering of the religious life and personnel of Israel. The freedom provided by these events gave the Levites time to devote themselves to the Law of Jehovah, thus making it absolutely certain that during the times of Josiah, less than seventy-five years later, there would be countless persons left in Israel who were thoroughly familiar with the entire Mosaic covenant and the precious ‘Book of Moses’ that attended it.”

II. The Pulpit Commentary states that 2 Chronicles 31:2-21 tells how Hezekiah re-affirms the courses of the priests and Levites, the offerings for their support and stipulates the offices and officers needed for the effectual operation of the work of the priests and Levites.

III. There is no parallel passage to 2 Chronicles 31-2-19 in 2 Kings; however, 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 parallels 2 Kings 18:5-7.

IV. Hicks observed that 2 Chronicles 29-30 covers only two (2) months of Hezekiah’s reign in which religious reform and renewal and the temple and Passover were restored.



A. Hezekiah’s attention now turns to the support of the temple personnel and the permanence of their service. (Hicks)

1. Hicks wrote that this covered five (5) months.

B. These religious reforms took seven (7) months leaving the remainder of Hezekiah’s twenty-nine (29) years to be covered by only a single chapter in 2 Chronicles. (Hicks)

1. More space is given to religious reforms because that is what is most important to the Chronicler and his readers. (Hicks)

2. Returning exiles from Babylonian captivity needed the lessons of religious fidelity taught and exemplified by Hezekiah’s reforms. (See Hicks.)

V. “This account was written by the Chronicles about the time of the end of the Babylonian captivity; and the author followed very closely the records before his eyes,” Coffman wrote.

Commentary:

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. Hezekiah assigned (re-established) the priests and Levites to (courses) divisions---

A. The establishment of these divisions for priests and Levites is specified in 1 Chronicles 23-26. (Pulpit Commentary)

1. 1 Chronicles 23:1-32, When David was old and approaching the end of his life, he made his son Solomon king over Israel. David assembled all the leaders of



Israel, along with the priests and the Levites. The Levites who were thirty years old and up were counted; there were 38,000 men. David said, “Of these, 24,000 are to direct the work of the LORD’s temple; 6,000 are to be officials and judges; 4,000 are to be gatekeepers; and 4,000 are to praise the LORD with the instruments I supplied for worship.” David divided them into groups corresponding to the sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. The Gershonites included Ladan and Shimei. The sons of Ladan: Jehiel the oldest, Zetham, and Joel—three in all. The sons of Shimei: Shelomoth, Haziel, and Haran—three in all. These were the leaders of the family of Ladan. The sons of Shimei: Jahath, Zina, Jeush, and Beriah. These were Shimei’s sons—four in all. Jahath was the oldest and Zizah the second oldest. Jeush and Beriah did not have many sons, so they were considered one family with one responsibility. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron, and Uzziel—four in all. The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were chosen on a permanent basis to consecrate the most holy items, to offer sacrifices before the LORD, to serve him, and to praise his name. The descendants of Moses the man of God were considered Levites. The sons of Moses: Gershom and Eliezer. The son of Gershom: Shebuel the oldest. The son of Eliezer was Rehabiah, the oldest. Eliezer had no other sons, but Rehabiah had many descendants. The son of Izhar: Shelomith the oldest. The sons of Hebron: Jeriah the oldest, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. The sons of Uzziel: Micah the oldest, and Isshiah the second. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The sons of Mahli: Eleazar and Kish. Eleazar died without having sons; he had only daughters. The sons of Kish, their cousins, married them. The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jeremoth—three in all. These were the descendants of



Levi according to their families, that is, the leaders of families as counted and individually listed who carried out assigned tasks in the LORD’s temple and were twenty years old and up. For David said, “The LORD God of Israel has given his people rest and has permanently settled in Jerusalem. So the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the items used in its service.” According to David’s final instructions, the Levites twenty years old and up were counted. Their job was to help Aaron’s descendants in the service of the LORD’s temple. They were to take care of the courtyards, the rooms, ceremonial purification of all holy items, and other jobs related to the service of God’s temple. They also took care of the bread that is displayed, the flour for offerings, the unleavened wafers, the round cakes, the mixing, and all the measuring. They also stood in a designated place every morning and offered thanks and praise to the LORD. They also did this in the evening and whenever burnt sacrifices were offered to the LORD on the Sabbath and at new moon festivals and assemblies. A designated number were to serve before the LORD regularly in accordance with regulations. They were in charge of the meeting tent and the holy place, and helped their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, in the service of the LORD’s temple. (NET)

2. 1 Chronicles 24:1-31, The divisions of Aaron’s descendants were as follows: The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Nadab and Abihu died before their father did; they had no sons. Eleazar and Ithamar served as priests. David, Zadok (a descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (a descendant of Ithamar) divided them into groups to carry out their assigned responsibilities. The descendants of Eleazar had more leaders than the descendants of Ithamar, so they divided



them up accordingly; the descendants of Eleazar had sixteen leaders, while the descendants of Ithamar had eight. They divided them by lots, for there were officials of the holy place and officials designated by God among the descendants of both Eleazar and Ithamar. The scribe Shemaiah son of Nethanel, a Levite, wrote down their names before the king, the officials, Zadok the priest, Ahimelech son of Abiathar, and the leaders of the priestly and Levite families. One family was drawn by lot from Eleazar, and then the next from Ithamar. The first lot went to Jehoiarib, the second to Jedaiah, the third to Harim, the fourth to Seorim, the fifth to Malkijah, the sixth to Mijamin, the seventh to Hakkoz, the eighth to Abijah, the ninth to Jeshua, the tenth to Shecaniah, the eleventh to Eliashib, the twelfth to Jakim, the thirteenth to Huppah, the fourteenth to Jeshebeab, the fifteenth to Bilgah, the sixteenth to Immer, the seventeenth to Hezir, the eighteenth to Happizzez, the nineteenth to Pethahiah, the twentieth to Jehezkel, the twenty-first to Jakin, the twenty-second to Gamul, the twenty-third to Delaiah, the twenty-fourth to Maaziah. This was the order in which they carried out their assigned responsibilities when they entered the LORD’s temple, according to the regulations given them by their ancestor Aaron, just as the LORD God of Israel had instructed him. Remaining Levites. The rest of the Levites included: Shubael from the sons of Amram, Jehdeiah from the sons of Shubael, the firstborn Isshiah from Rehabiah and the sons of Rehabiah, Shelomoth from the Izharites, Jahath from the sons of Shelomoth. The sons of Hebron: Jeriah, Amariah the second, Jahaziel the third, and Jekameam the fourth. The son of Uzziel: Micah; Shamir from the sons of Micah. The brother of Micah: Isshiah. Zechariah from the sons of Isshiah. The sons of Merari: Mahli and Mushi. The son of Jaaziah: Beno. The sons of Merari, from



Jaaziah: Beno, Shoham, Zaccur, and Ibri. From Mahli: Eleazar, who had no sons. From Kish: Jerahmeel. The sons of Mushi: Mahli, Eder, and Jerimoth. These were the Levites, listed by their families. Just like their relatives, the descendants of Aaron, they also cast lots before King David, Zadok, Ahimelech, the leaders of families, the priests, and the Levites. The families of the oldest son cast lots along with those of the youngest. (NET)

3. 1 Chronicles 25:1-31, David and the army officers selected some of the sons of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun to prophesy as they played stringed instruments and cymbals. The following men were assigned this responsibility: From the sons of Asaph: Zaccur, Joseph, Nethaniah, and Asarelah. The sons of Asaph were supervised by Asaph, who prophesied under the king’s supervision. From the sons of Jeduthun: Gedaliah, Zeri, Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah—six in all, under supervision of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied as he played a harp, giving thanks and praise to the LORD. From the sons of Heman: Bukkiah, Mattaniah, Uzziel, Shebuel, Jerimoth, Hananiah, Hanani, Eliathah, Giddalti, Romamti-Ezer, Joshbekashah, Mallothi, Hothir, and Mahazioth. All these were the sons of Heman, the king’s prophet. God had promised him these sons in order to make him prestigious. God gave Heman fourteen sons and three daughters. All of these were under the supervision of their fathers; they were musicians in the LORD’s temple, playing cymbals and stringed instruments as they served in God’s temple. Asaph, Jeduthun, and Heman were under the supervision of the king. They and their relatives, all of them skilled and trained to make music to the LORD, numbered two hundred eighty-eight. They cast lots to determine their



responsibilities—oldest as well as youngest, teacher as well as student. The first lot went to Asaph’s son Joseph and his relatives and sons—twelve in all, the second to Gedaliah and his relatives and sons—twelve in all, the third to Zaccur and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the fourth to Izri and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the fifth to Nethaniah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the sixth to Bukkiah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the seventh to Jesharelah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the eighth to Jeshaiah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the ninth to Mattaniah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the tenth to Shimei and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the eleventh to Azarel and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twelfth to Hashabiah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the thirteenth to Shubael and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the fourteenth to Mattithiah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the fifteenth to Jerimoth and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the sixteenth to Hananiah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the seventeenth to Joshbekashah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the eighteenth to Hanani and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the nineteenth to Mallothi and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twentieth to Eliathah and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twenty-first to Hothir and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twenty-second to Giddalti and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twenty-third to Mahazioth and his sons and relatives—twelve in all, the twenty-fourth to Romamti-Ezer and his sons and relatives—twelve in all.

4. 1 Chronicles 26:1-32, The divisions of the gatekeepers: From the Korahites: Meshelemiah, son of Kore, one of the sons of Asaph. Meshelemiah’s sons: The firstborn



Zechariah, the second Jediael, the third Zebadiah, the fourth Jathniel, the fifth Elam, the sixth Jehohanan, and the seventh Elihoenai. Obed-Edom’s sons: The firstborn Shemaiah, the second Jehozabad, the third Joah, the fourth Sakar, the fifth Nethanel, the sixth Ammiel, the seventh Issachar, and the eighth Peullethai. (Indeed, God blessed Obed-Edom.) His son Shemaiah also had sons, who were leaders of their families, for they were highly respected. The sons of Shemaiah: Othni, Rephael, Obed, and Elzabad. His relatives Elihu and Semakiah were also respected. All these were the descendants of Obed-Edom. They and their sons and relatives were respected men, capable of doing their responsibilities. There were sixty-two of them related to Obed-Edom. Meshelemiah had sons and relatives who were respected—eighteen in all. Hosah, one of the descendants of Merari, had sons: The firstborn Shimri (he was not actually the firstborn, but his father gave him that status), the second Hilkiah, the third Tebaliah, and the fourth Zechariah. All of Hosah’s sons and relatives numbered thirteen. These divisions of the gatekeepers, corresponding to their leaders, had assigned responsibilities, like their relatives, as they served in the LORD’s temple. They cast lots, both young and old, according to their families, to determine which gate they would be responsible for. The lot for the east gate went to Shelemiah. They then cast lots for his son Zechariah, a wise adviser, and the lot for the north gate went to him. Obed-Edom was assigned the south gate, and his sons were assigned the storehouses. Shuppim and Hosah were assigned the west gate, along with the Shalleketh gate on the upper road. One guard was adjacent to another. Each day there were six Levites posted on the east, four on the north, and four on the south. At the storehouses they were posted in pairs. At the court on the west there were four posted on the road



and two at the court. These were the divisions of the gatekeepers who were descendants of Korah and Merari. Supervisors of the Storehouses Their fellow Levites were in charge of the storehouses in God’s temple and the storehouses containing consecrated items. The descendants of Ladan, who were descended from Gershon through Ladan and were leaders of the families of Ladan the Gershonite, included Jehieli and the sons of Jehieli, Zetham and his brother Joel. They were in charge of the storehouses in theLORD’s temple. As for the Amramites, Izharites, Hebronites, and Uzzielites: Shebuel son of Gershom, the son of Moses, was the supervisor of the storehouses. His relatives through Eliezer included: Rehabiah his son, Jeshaiah his son, Joram his son, Zikri his son, and Shelomith his son. Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of all the storehouses containing the consecrated items dedicated by King David, the family leaders who led units of a thousand and a hundred, and the army officers. They had dedicated some of the plunder taken in battles to be used for repairs on the LORD’s temple. They were also in charge of everything dedicated by Samuel the prophet, Saul son of Kish, Abner son of Ner, and Joab son of Zeruiah; Shelomith and his relatives were in charge of everything that had been dedicated. As for the Izharites: Kenaniah and his sons were given responsibilities outside the temple as officers and judges over Israel. As for the Hebronites: Hashabiah and his relatives, 1,700 respected men, were assigned responsibilities in Israel west of the Jordan; they did the LORD’s work and the king’s service. As for the Hebronites: Jeriah was the leader of the Hebronites according to the genealogical records. In the fortieth year of David’s reign, they examined the records and discovered there were highly respected men in Jazer in Gilead. Jeriah had 2,700 relatives who were respected



family leaders. King David placed them in charge of the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh; they took care of all matters pertaining to God and the king. (NET)

5. 2 Chronicles 8:14, As his father David had decreed, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests to do their assigned tasks, the Levitical orders to lead worship and help the priests with their daily tasks, and the divisions of the gatekeepers to serve at their assigned gates. This was what David the man of God had ordered. (NET)

B. Here Hezekiah re-established, re-affirmed these courses/divi-sions of priestly and Levitical service.

1. Hicks stated that David and Solomon instituted, founded the temple culture. Hezekiah restored it.

II. Each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites---

A. “The priests offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, while the Levites assisted them in their priestly ministry,” Hicks wrote.

1. 2 Chronicles 8:14, As his father David had decreed, Solomon appointed the divisions of the priests to do their assigned tasks, the Levitical orders to lead worship and help the priests with their daily tasks, and the divisions of the gatekeepers to serve at their assigned gates. This was what David the man of God had ordered. (NET)

2. 1 Chronicles 23:13, The sons of Amram: Aaron and Moses. Aaron and his descendants were chosen on a permanent basis to consecrate the most holy



items, to offer sacrifices before theLORD, to serve him, and to praise his name. (NET)

3. 1 Chronicles 6:32, They performed music before the sanctuary of the meeting tent until Solomon built the LORD’s temple in Jerusalem. They carried out their tasks according to regulations. (NET)

4. 1 Chronicles 15:2, Then David said, “Only the Levites may carry the ark of God, for the LORD chose them to carry the ark of the LORD and to serve before him perpetually.” (NET)

5. 1 Chronicles 16:4, 37, He appointed some of the Levites to serve before the ark of the LORD, to offer prayers, songs of thanks, and hymns to the LORD God of Israel. David left Asaph and his colleagues there before the ark of the LORD’s covenant to serve before the ark regularly and fulfill each day’s requirements, (NET)

6. Both priests and Levites served at the temple, but their duties were different, Hicks wrote.

III. To offer burnt offerings and fellowship offerings, to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at (within) the gates of the Lord’s dwelling.

A. “The gates of the Lord’s dwelling” refers to the temple.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. The king contributed from his own possessions…



A. Clarke expressed the opinion that Jewish Kings often furnished the morning and evening sacrifices and several others as well from their own funds.

1. Ezekiel 45:17, 22, It will be the duty of the prince to provide the burnt offerings, the grain offering, and the drink offering at festivals, on the new moons and Sabbaths, at all the appointed feasts of the house of Israel; he will provide the sin offering, the grain offering, the burnt offering, and the peace offerings to make atonement for the house of Israel. On that day the prince will provide for himself and for all the people of the land a bull for a sin offering. (NET)

2. Ezekiel 46:2, The prince will enter by way of the porch of the gate from the outside, and will stand by the doorpost of the gate. The priests will provide his burnt offering and his peace offerings, and he will bow down at the threshold of the gate and then go out. But the gate will not be closed until evening. (NET)

B. “Hezekiah did not evade his own responsibilities in the matter of contribution,” the Pulpit Commentary states.

1. Like David and Solomon, Hezekiah models generosity for the people. (See Hicks)

a. 1 Chronicles 29:1-10, King David said to the entire assembly: “My son Solomon, the one whom God has chosen, is just an inexperienced young man, and the task is great, for this palace is not for man, but for the LORD God. So I have made every effort to provide what is needed for the temple of my God, including the gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood, as well as a large amount of onyx, settings of antimony and other stones, all kinds of precious stones, and



alabaster. Now, to show my commitment to the temple of my God, I donate my personal treasure of gold and silver to the temple of my God, in addition to all that I have already supplied for this holy temple. This includes 3,000 talents of gold from Ophir and 7,000 talents of refined silver for overlaying the walls of the buildings, for gold and silver items, and for all the work of the craftsmen. Who else wants to contribute to the LORD today?” The leaders of the families, the leaders of the Israelite tribes, the commanders of units of a thousand and a hundred, and the supervisors of the king’s work contributed willingly. They donated for the service of God’s temple 5,000 talents and 10,000 darics of gold, 10,000 talents of silver, 18,000 talents of bronze, and 100,000 talents of iron. All who possessed precious stones donated them to the treasury of the LORD’s temple, which was under the supervision of Jehiel the Gershonite. The people were delighted with their donations, for they contributed to the LORD with a willing attitude; King David was also very happy. David Praises the Lord David praised the LORD before the entire assembly: “O LORD God of our father Israel, you deserve praise forevermore! (NET)

b. 2 Chronicles 9:10-11, (Huram’s servants, aided by Solomon’s servants, brought gold from Ophir, as well as fine timber and precious gems. 11 With the timber the king made steps for the LORD’s temple and royal palace as well as stringed instruments for the musicians. No one had seen anything like them in the land of Judah prior to that.) (NET)



II. for the morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons and appointed feasts…

A. More can be learned of the required offerings and set feasts in the following passages, et.al:

1. Numbers 28:1-31, The LORD spoke to Moses: “Com-mand the Israelites: ‘With regard to my offering, be sure to offer my food for my offering made by fire, as a pleasing aroma to me at its appointed time.’ You will say to them, ‘This is the offering made by fire which you must offer to the LORD: two unblemished lambs one year old each day for a continual burnt offering. The first lamb you must offer in the morning, and the second lamb you must offer in the late afternoon, with one-tenth of an ephah of finely ground flour as a grain offering mixed with one quarter of a hin of pressed olive oil. It is a continual burnt offering that was instituted on Mount Sinai as a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. “‘And its drink offering must be one quarter of a hin for each lamb. You must pour out the strong drink as a drink offering to the LORD in the holy place. And the second lamb you must offer in the late afternoon; just as you offered the grain offering and drink offering in the morning, you must offer it as an offering made by fire, as a pleasing aroma to the LORD. Weekly Offerings “‘On the Sabbath day, you must offer two unblemished lambs a year old, and two-tenths of an ephah of finely ground flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, along with its drink offering. This is the burnt offering for every Sabbath, besides the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. Monthly Offerings “‘On the first day of each month you must offer as a burnt offering to the LORD two young bulls, one ram, and seven unblemished lambs a year old, with three-



tenths of an ephah of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each bull, and two-tenths of an ephah of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for the ram, and one-tenth of an ephah of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil as a grain offering for each lamb, as a burnt offering for a pleasing aroma, an offering made by fire to the LORD. For their drink offerings, include half a hin of wine with each bull, one-third of a hin for the ram, and one-fourth of a hin for each lamb. This is the burnt offering for each month throughout the months of the year. And one male goat must be offered to the LORD as a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. Passover and Unleavened Bread “‘On the fourteenth day of the first month is the LORD’s Passover. And on the fifteenth day of this month is the festival. For seven days bread made without yeast must be eaten. And on the first day there is to be a holy assembly; you must do no ordinary work on it. “‘But you must offer to the LORD an offering made by fire, a burnt offering of two young bulls, one ram, and seven lambs one year old; they must all be unblemished. And their grain offering is to be of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil. For each bull you must offer three-tenths of an ephah, and two-tenths for the ram. For each of the seven lambs you are to offer one-tenth of an ephah, as well as one goat for a purification offering, to make atonement for you. You must offer these in addition to the burnt offering in the morning which is for a continual burnt offering. In this manner you must offer daily throughout the seven days the food of the sacrifice made by fire as a sweet aroma to the LORD. It is to be offered in addition to the continual burnt offering and its drink offering. On the seventh day you are to have a holy assembly, you must do no regular work. First fruits “‘Also, on the day



of the first fruits, when you bring a new grain offering to the LORD during your Feast of Weeks, you are to have a holy assembly. You must do no ordinary work. But you must offer as the burnt offering, as a sweet aroma to the LORD, two young bulls, one ram, seven lambs one year old, with their grain offering of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil: three-tenths of an ephah for each bull, two-tenths for the one ram, with one-tenth for each of the seven lambs, as well as one male goat to make an atonement for you. You are to offer them with their drink offerings in addition to the continual burnt offering and its grain offering—they must be unblemished. (NET)

2. Numbers 29:1-40, “‘On the first day of the seventh month, you are to hold a holy assembly. You must not do your ordinary work, for it is a day of blowing trumpets for you. You must offer a burnt offering as a sweet aroma to the LORD: one young bull, one ram, and seven lambs one year old without blemish. “‘Their grain offering is to be of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil, three-tenths of an ephah for the bull, two-tenths of an ephah for the ram, and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs, with one male goat for a purification offering to make an atonement for you; this is in addition to the monthly burnt offering and its grain offering, and the daily burnt offering with its grain offering and their drink offerings as prescribed, as a sweet aroma, a sacrifice made by fire to the LORD. The Day of Atonement “‘On the tenth day of this seventh month you are to have a holy assembly. You must humble yourselves; you must not do any work on it. But you must offer a burnt offering as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, one young bull, one ram, and seven lambs one year old, all of them without blemish. Their grain offering must be of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil, three-tenths of



an ephah for the bull, two-tenths for the ram, and one-tenth for each of the seven lambs, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the purification offering for atonement and the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and their drink offerings. The Feast of Temporary Shelters “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month you are to have a holy assembly; you must do no ordinary work, and you must keep a festival to the LORD for seven days. You must offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire as a pleasing aroma to the LORD: thirteen young bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs each one year old, all of them without blemish. Their grain offering must be of finely ground flour mixed with olive oil, three-tenths of an ephah for each of the thirteen bulls, two-tenths of an ephah for each of the two rams, and one-tenth for each of the fourteen lambs, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the second day you must offer twelve young bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and their drink offerings. “‘On the third day you must offer eleven bulls, two rams, fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the fourth day you must offer ten bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs one year old, all



without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the fifth day you must offer nine bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the sixth day you must offer eight bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the seventh day you must offer seven bulls, two rams, and fourteen lambs one year old, all without blemish, and their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bulls, for the rams, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘On the eighth day you are to have a holy assembly; you must do no ordinary work on it. But you must offer a burnt offering, an offering made by fire, as a pleasing aroma to the LORD, one bull, one ram, seven lambs one year old, all of them without blemish, and with their grain offering and their drink offerings for the bull, for the ram, and for the lambs, according to their number as prescribed, along with one male goat for a purification offering, in addition to the continual burnt offering with



its grain offering and its drink offering. “‘These things you must present to the LORD at your appointed times, in addition to your vows and your freewill offerings, as your burnt offerings, your grain offerings, your drink offerings, and your peace offerings.’” So Moses told the Israelites everything, just as the LORD had commanded him. (NET)

3. Leviticus 23:1-44, The LORD spoke to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘These are the LORD’s appointed times which you must proclaim as holy assemblies—my appointed times: The Weekly Sabbath “‘Six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there must be a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy assembly. You must not do any work; it is a Sabbath to the LORD in all the places where you live. The Festival of Passover and Unleavened Bread “‘These are the LORD’s appointed times, holy assemblies, which you must proclaim at their appointed time. In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month, at twilight, is a Passover offering to the LORD. Then on the fifteenth day of the same month will be the festival of unleavened bread to the LORD; seven days you must eat unleavened bread. On the first day there will be a holy assembly for you; you must not do any regular work. You must present a gift to the LORD for seven days, and the seventh day is a holy assembly; you must not do any regular work.’” The Presentation of First Fruits The LORD spoke to Moses: “Speak to the Israelites and tell them, ‘When you enter the land that I am about to give to you and you gather in its harvest, then you must bring the sheaf of the first portion of your harvest to the priest, and he must wave the sheaf before the LORD to be accepted for your benefit—on the day after the Sabbath the priest is to wave it. On the day you wave the sheaf you must also



offer a flawless yearling lamb for a burnt offering to the LORD, along with its grain offering, two tenths of an ephah of choice wheat flour mixed with olive oil, as a gift to the LORD, a soothing aroma, and its drink offering, one fourth of a hin of wine. You must not eat bread, roasted grain, or fresh grain until this very day, until you bring the offering of your God. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live. The Festival of Weeks “‘You must count for yourselves seven weeks from the day after the Sabbath, from the day you bring the wave offering sheaf; they must be complete weeks. You must count fifty days—until the day after the seventh Sabbath—and then you must present a new grain offering to the LORD. From the places where you live you must bring two loaves of bread for a wave offering; they must be made from two tenths of an ephah of fine wheat flour, baked with yeast, as first fruits to the LORD. Along with the loaves of bread, you must also present seven flawless yearling lambs, one young bull, and two rams. They are to be a burnt offering to the LORD along with their grain offering and drink offerings, a gift of a soothing aroma to the LORD. You must also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two yearling lambs for a peace offering sacrifice, and the priest is to wave them—the two lambs—along with the bread of the first fruits, as a wave offering before the LORD; they will be holy to the LORD for the priest. “‘On this very day you must proclaim an assembly; it is to be a holy assembly for you. You must not do any regular work. This is a perpetual statute in all the places where you live throughout your generations. When you gather in the harvest of your land, you must not completely harvest the corner of your field, and you must not gather up the gleanings of your harvest. You must leave them for the poor and the



foreigner. I am the LORD your God.’” The Festival of Horn Blasts The LORD spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you must have a complete rest, a memorial announced by loud horn blasts, a holy assembly. You must not do any regular work, but you must present a gift to the LORD.’” The Day of Atonement The LORD spoke to Moses: “The tenth day of this seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must humble yourselves and present a gift to the LORD. You must not do any work on this particular day, because it is a day of atonement to make atonement for yourselves before the LORD your God. Indeed, any person who does not behave with humility on this particular day will be cut off from his people. As for any person who does any work on this particular day, I will exterminate that person from the midst of his people! You must not do any work. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all the places where you live. It is a Sabbath of complete rest for you, and you must humble yourselves on the ninth day of the month in the evening, from evening until evening you must observe your Sabbath.” The Festival of Booths The LORD spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites, ‘On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Festival of Temporary Shelters for seven days to the LORD. On the first day is a holy assembly; you must do no regular work. For seven days you must present a gift to the LORD. On the eighth day there is to be a holy assembly for you, and you must present a gift to the LORD. It is a solemn assembly day; you must not do any regular work. “‘These are the appointed times of the LORD that you must proclaim as holy assemblies to present a gift to the LORD—burnt offering, grain offering, sacrifice, and drink offerings, each day according to its



regulation, besides the Sabbaths of the LORD and all your gifts, votive offerings, and freewill offerings which you must give to the LORD. “‘On the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you gather in the produce of the land, you must celebrate a pilgrim festival of the LORD for seven days. On the first day is a complete rest and on the eighth day is complete rest. On the first day you must take for yourselves branches from majestic trees—palm branches, branches of leafy trees, and willows of the brook—and you must rejoice before the LORD your God for seven days. You must celebrate it as a pilgrim festival to the LORD for seven days in the year. This is a perpetual statute throughout your generations; you must celebrate it in the seventh month. You must live in temporary shelters for seven days; every native citizen in Israel must live in temporary shelters, so that your future generations may know that I made the Israelites live in temporary shelters when I brought them out from the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God.’” So Moses spoke to the Israelites about the appointed times of the LORD. (NET)

B. Hicks noted that the above offerings included daily, regular festivals covering daily, weekly and monthly annual religious observances.

III. as written in the Law of the Lord,

A. These offerings were prescribed by the Torah, the Law of the Lord, the Law of Moses.

B. Our rule of faith and practice must also be the word of God, the holy scriptures.



2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. He ordered (encouraged, taught) the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites…

A. Regarding portions, see:

1. Exodus 23:19, The first of the first fruits of your soil you must bring to the house of the LORD your God. “You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk. (NET)

2. Numbers 18:8-32, The LORD spoke to Aaron, “See, I have given you the responsibility for my raised offerings; I have given all the holy things of the Israelites to you as your priestly portion and to your sons as a perpetual ordinance. Of all the most holy offerings reserved from the fire this will be yours: Every offering of theirs, whether from every grain offering or from every purification offering or from every preparation offering which they bring to me, will be most holy for you and for your sons. You are to eat it as a most holy offering; every male may eat it. It will be holy to you. “And this is yours: the raised offering of their gift, along with all the wave offerings of the Israelites. I have given them to you and to your sons and daughters with you as a perpetual ordinance. Everyone who is ceremonially clean in your household may eat of it. “All the best of the olive oil and all the best of the wine and of the wheat, the first fruits of these things that they give to the LORD, I have given to you. And whatever first ripe fruit in their land they bring to the LORD will be yours; everyone who is ceremonially clean in your household may eat of it. “Everything devoted in Israel will be yours. The firstborn of every womb which they present to the LORD, whether human or



animal, will be yours. Nevertheless, the firstborn sons you must redeem, and the firstborn males of unclean animals you must redeem. And those that must be redeemed you are to redeem when they are a month old, according to your estimation, for five shekels of silver according to the sanctuary shekel (which is twenty gerahs). But you must not redeem the firstborn of a cow or a sheep or a goat; they are holy. You must splash their blood on the altar and burn their fat for an offering made by fire for a pleasing aroma to the LORD. And their meat will be yours, just as the breast and the right hip of the raised offering is yours. All the raised offerings of the holy things that the Israelites offer to the LORD, I have given to you, and to your sons and daughters with you, as a perpetual ordinance. It is a covenant of salt forever before the LORD for you and for your descendants with you.” Duties of the Levites The LORD spoke to Aaron, “You will have no inheritance in their land, nor will you have any portion of property among them—I am your portion and your inheritance among the Israelites. See, I have given the Levites all the tithes in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they perform—the service of the tent of meeting. No longer may the Israelites approach the tent of meeting, or else they will bear their sin and die. But the Levites must perform the service of the tent of meeting, and they must bear their iniquity. It will be a perpetual ordinance throughout your generations that among the Israelites the Levites have no inheritance. But I have given to the Levites for an inheritance the tithes of the Israelites that are offered to the LORD as a raised offering. That is why I said to them that among the Israelites they are to have no inheritance.” Instructions for the Levites The LORD spoke to Moses: “You are to speak to the Levites, and you must tell them, ‘When you receive from the Israelites the tithe that I have given you



from them as your inheritance, then you are to offer up from it as a raised offering to the LORD a tenth of the tithe. And your raised offering will be credited to you as though it were grain from the threshing floor or as new wine from the winepress. Thus you are to offer up a raised offering to the LORD of all your tithes which you receive from the Israelites; and you must give the LORD’s raised offering from it to Aaron the priest. From all your gifts you must offer up every raised offering due the LORD, from all the best of it, and the holiest part of it.’ “Therefore you will say to them, ‘When you offer up the best of it, then it will be credited to the Levites as the product of the threshing floor and as the product of the winepress. And you may eat it in any place, you and your household, because it is your wages for your service in the tent of meeting. And you will bear no sin concerning it when you offer up the best of it. And you must not profane the holy things of the Israelites, or else you will die.’” (NET)

3. Deuteronomy 14:22-29, You must be certain to tithe all the produce of your seed that comes from the field year after year. In the presence of the LORD your God you must eat from the tithe of your grain, your new wine, your olive oil, and the firstborn of your herds and flocks in the place he chooses to locate his name, so that you may learn to revere the LORD your God always. When he blesses you, if the place where he chooses to locate his name is distant, you may convert the tithe into money, secure the money, and travel to the place the LORD your God chooses for himself. Then you may spend the money however you wish for cattle, sheep, wine, beer, or whatever you desire. You and your household may eat there in the presence of the LORD your God and enjoy it. As for the Levites in your villages, you must not ignore



them, for they have no allotment or inheritance along with you. At the end of every three years you must bring all the tithe of your produce, in that very year, and you must store it up in your villages. Then the Levites (because they have no allotment or inheritance with you), the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows of your villages may come and eat their fill so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work you do. (NET)

B. The people were to support the priests and Levites in their ministry. (See Hicks)

1. Leviticus 6:14, “‘This is the law of the grain offering. The sons of Aaron are to present it before the LORD in front of the altar, (NET)

2. Leviticus 7:1-36, “‘This is the law of the guilt offering. It is most holy. In the place where they slaughter the burnt offering they must slaughter the guilt offering, and the officiating priest must splash the blood against the altar’s sides. Then the one making the offering must present all its fat: the fatty tail, the fat covering the entrails, the two kidneys and the fat on their sinews, and the protruding lobe on the liver (which he must remove along with the kidneys). Then the priest must offer them up in smoke on the altar as a gift to the LORD. It is a guilt offering. Any male among the priests may eat it. It must be eaten in a holy place. It is most holy. The law is the same for the sin offering and the guilt offering; it belongs to the priest who makes atonement with it. Priestly Portions of Burnt and Grain Offerings “‘As for the priest who presents someone’s burnt offering, the hide of that burnt offering which he presented belongs to him. Every grain offering which is baked in the oven or made in the



pan or on the griddle belongs to the priest who presented it. Every grain offering, whether mixed with olive oil or dry, belongs to all the sons of Aaron, each one alike. The Peace Offering “‘This is the law of the peace offering sacrifice which he is to present to the LORD. If he presents it on account of thanksgiving, along with the thank offering sacrifice he must present unleavened loaves mixed with olive oil, unleavened wafers smeared with olive oil, and well soaked ring-shaped loaves made of choice wheat flour mixed with olive oil. He must present this grain offering in addition to ring-shaped loaves of leavened bread which regularly accompany the sacrifice of his thanksgiving peace offering. He must present one of each kind of grain offering as a contribution offering to the LORD; it belongs to the priest who splashes the blood of the peace offering. The meat of his thanksgiving peace offering must be eaten on the day of his offering; he must not set any of it aside until morning. “‘If his offering is a votive or freewill sacrifice, it may be eaten on the day he presents his sacrifice, and also the leftovers from it may be eaten on the next day, but the leftovers from the meat of the sacrifice must be burned up in the fire on the third day. If some of the meat of his peace offering sacrifice is ever eaten on the third day it will not be accepted; it will not be accounted to the one who presented it, since it is spoiled, and the person who eats from it will bear his punishment for iniquity. The meat which touches anything ceremonially unclean must not be eaten; it must be burned up in the fire. As for ceremonially clean meat, everyone who is ceremonially clean may eat the meat. The person who eats meat from the peace offering sacrifice which belongs to the LORD while his uncleanness persists will be cut off from his people. When a person touches anything unclean (whether human uncleanness, or an unclean animal, or an unclean detestable creature)



and eats some of the meat of the peace offering sacrifice which belongs to the LORD, that person will be cut off from his people.’” Sacrificial Instructions for the Common People: Fat and Blood Then the LORD spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites, ‘You must not eat any fat of an ox, sheep, or goat. Moreover, the fat of an animal that has died of natural causes and the fat of an animal torn by beasts may be used for any other purpose, but you must certainly never eat it. If anyone eats fat from the animal from which he presents a gift to the LORD, that person will be cut off from his people. And you must not eat any blood of the birds or the domesticated land animals in any of the places where you live. Any person who eats any blood—that person will be cut off from his people.’” Priestly Portions of Peace Offerings Then the LORD spoke to Moses: “Tell the Israelites, ‘The one who presents his peace offering sacrifice to the LORD must bring his offering to the LORD from his peace offering sacrifice. With his own hands he must bring the LORD’s gifts. He must bring the fat with the breast to wave the breast as a wave offering before the LORD, and the priest must offer the fat up in smoke on the altar, but the breast will belong to Aaron and his sons. The right thigh you must give as a contribution offering to the priest from your peace offering sacrifices. The one from Aaron’s sons who presents the blood of the peace offering and fat will have the right thigh as his share, for the breast of the wave offering and the thigh of the contribution offering I have taken from the Israelites out of their peace offering sacrifices and have given them to Aaron the priest and to his sons from the people of Israel as a perpetual allotted portion.’” This is the allotment of Aaron and the allotment of his sons from the LORD’s gifts on the day Moses presented them to serve as priests to the LORD. This is what the LORD com-



manded to give to them from the Israelites on the day Moses anointed them—a perpetual allotted portion throughout their generations. (NET)

3. Deuteronomy 18:1-18, The Levitical priests—indeed, the entire tribe of Levi—will have no allotment or inheritance with Israel; they may eat the burnt offerings of the LORD and of his inheritance. They will have no inheritance in the midst of their fellow Israelites; the LORD alone is their inheritance, just as he had told them. This shall be the priests’ fair allotment from the people who offer sacrifices, whether bull or sheep—they must give to the priest the shoulder, the jowls, and the stomach. You must give them the best of your grain, new wine, and olive oil, as well as the best of your wool when you shear your flocks. For the LORD your God has chosen them and their sons from all your tribes to stand and serve in his name permanently. Suppose a Levite comes by his own free will from one of your villages, from any part of Israel where he is living, to the place the LORD chooses and serves in the name of the LORD his God like his fellow Levites who stand there before the LORD. He must eat the same share they do, despite any profits he may gain from the sale of his family’s inheritance. Provision for Prophetism When you enter the land the LORD your God is giving you, you must not learn the abhorrent practices of those nations. There must never be found among you anyone who sacrifices his son or daughter in the fire, anyone who practices divination, an omen reader, a soothsayer, a sorcerer, one who casts spells, one who conjures up spirits, a practitioner of the occult, or a necromancer. Whoever does these things is abhorrent to the LORD and because of these detestable things the LORD your God is about to drive them out from before you. You must be blameless before



the LORD your God. Those nations that you are about to dispossess listen to omen readers and diviners, but the LORD your God has not given you permission to do such things. The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you—from your fellow Israelites; you must listen to him. This accords with what happened at Horeb in the day of the assembly. You asked the LORD your God: “Please do not make us hear the voice of the LORD our God any more or see this great fire any more lest we die.” The LORD then said to me, “What they have said is good. I will raise up a prophet like you for them from among their fellow Israelites. I will put my words in his mouth and he will speak to them whatever I command. (NET)

4. Deuteronomy 26:1-15, When you enter the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, and you occupy it and live in it, you must take the first of all the ground’s produce you harvest from the land the LORD your God is giving you, place it in a basket, and go to the place where he chooses to locate his name. You must go to the priest in office at that time and say to him, “I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come into the land that the LORD promised to our ancestors to give us.” The priest will then take the basket from you and set it before the altar of the LORD your God. Then you must affirm before the LORD your God, “A wandering Aramean was my ancestor, and he went down to Egypt and lived there as a foreigner with a household few in number, but there he became a great, powerful, and numerous people. But the Egyptians mistreated and oppressed us, forcing us to do burdensome labor. So we cried out to the LORD, the God of our ancestors, and he heard us and saw our humiliation, toil, and oppression. Therefore the LORD brought us out of Egypt



with tremendous strength and power, as well as with great awe-inspiring signs and wonders. Then he brought us to this place and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey. So now, look! I have brought the first of the ground’s produce that you, LORD, have given me.” Then you must set it down before the LORD your God and worship before him. You will celebrate all the good things that the LORD your God has given you and your family, along with the Levites and the resident foreigners among you. Presentation of the Third-year Tithe When you finish tithing all your income in the third year (the year of tithing), you must give it to the Levites, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows so that they may eat to their satisfaction in your villages. Then you shall say before the LORD your God, “I have removed the sacred offering from my house and given it to the Levites, the resident foreigners, the orphans, and the widows just as you have commanded me. I have not violated or forgotten your commandments. I have not eaten anything when I was in mourning, or removed any of it while ceremonially unclean, or offered any of it to the dead; I have obeyed you and have done everything you have commanded me. Look down from your holy dwelling place in heaven and bless your people Israel and the land you have given us, just as you promised our ancestors—a land flowing with milk and honey.” (NET)

II. so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.

A. Support insured the priests’ and Levites’ availability to devote themselves to religious service. (See Hicks.)

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously gave…

A. This is a wonderful example, one worthy of our emulation.

II. the first fruits of their grain, new wine, oil and honey and all that the fields produced.

A. These first fruits were used primarily for the support of the priests and Levites. (Clarke)

B. These contributions were donated to the support of the priests and Levites.

1. Honey was acceptable under these circumstances, but was not acceptable as a sacrificial offering to the Lord. (Clarke)

a. Leviticus 2:11-13, “‘No grain offering which you present to the LORD can be made with yeast, for you must not offer up in smoke any yeast or honey as a gift to the LORD. 12 You can present them to the LORD as an offering of first fruit, but they must not go up to the altar for a soothing aroma. 13 Moreover, you must season every one of your grain offerings with salt; you must not allow the salt of the covenant of your God to be missing from your grain offering—on every one of your grain offerings you must present salt. (NET)

2. The Pulpit Commentary states that honey as used here may have included other sweet preparations as well as honey.

a. Genesis 43:11, Then their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best products of the land in your bags, and take



a gift down to the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachios and almonds. (NET)

b. Ezekiel 27:17, Judah and the land of Israel were your clients; they traded wheat from Minnith, millet, honey, olive oil, and balm for your merchandise. (NET)

III. They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything.

A. The people gave liberally to support the priests and Levites and the temple service.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. The men of Israel and Judah who lived in the towns of Judah also brought . . .

A. 2 Chronicles 30:25, The celebration included the entire assembly of Judah, the priests, the Levites, the entire assembly of those who came from Israel, the resident foreigners who came from the land of Israel, and the residents of Judah. (NET)

B. Hicks wrote that these people include both Israelite immigrants and Judahites.

II. II. a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things dedicated to the Lord their God, and . . .



A. The tithe of the holy things probably refers to the heave offerings. (The Pulpit Commentary)

1. Numbers 18:8, The LORD spoke to Aaron, “See, I have given you the responsibility for my raised offerings; I have given all the holy things of the Israelites to you as your priestly portion and to your sons as a perpetual ordinance. (NET)

2. Leviticus 27:30, “‘Any tithe of the land, from the grain of the land or from the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. (NET)

3. Deuteronomy 14:28, At the end of every three years you must bring all the tithe of your produce, in that very year, and you must store it up in your villages. (NET)

III. they piled them in heaps.

A. The abundance (heaps) is evidence of the people’s generosity.

2 Chronicles 31:7, In the third month they began piling their contributions in heaps and finished in the seventh month. (NET)

I. They began doing this in the third month and finished in the seventh month.

A. “The third Jewish month was Sivan and the seventh Jewish month was Tisri.” (Targum via Clarke)

B. “The grain harvest closed with the Feast of Weeks, about the sixth day of the third month, so that a tithe in kind would be paid. The seventh month brought the Feast of Ingathering, when the vintage was over,” The Pulpit Commentary states.

C. Hezekiah proceeded without delay in his reformation work.



1. 2 Chronicles 29:3, In the first month of the first year of his reign, he opened the doors of the LORD’s temple and repaired them. (NET)

2. 2 Chronicles 30:2, 13, The king, his officials, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover in the second month. A huge crowd assembled in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month. (NET)

D. Dillard wrote that “the amassing of the first fruits and tithes continued from the third month (May/June, the time of the Feast of Pentecost and the grain harvest) through the seventh month (September/October, the time of the Feast of Tabernacles and fruit and vine harvests).”

2 Chronicles 31:8, When Hezekiah and the officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the LORD and pronounced blessings on his people Israel. (NET)

I. When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw the heaps,…

A. The heaps refers to “the vast collections of grain which they had from the tithes over and above their own consumption.” (Clarke)

II. they praised the Lord and blessed his people Israel.

A. “Worship entails both blessing God and his people; it includes praise and intercession,” Hicks wrote.

1. 2 Chronicles 30:27, The priests and Levites got up and pronounced blessings on the people. The LORD responded favorably to them as their prayers reached his holy dwelling place in heaven. (NET)



2 Chronicles 31:9, When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps, (NET)

I. Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps;…

A. This questioning probably related to what disposition was to be made of the “heaps”, the abundant contributions.

1. Where can it be stored? (See Hicks.)

2. Question: 2 Chronicles 31:9-10, When Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the heaps, 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.” (NET)

3. Answer: 2 Chronicles 31:11-19, Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in the LORD’s temple. When this was done, 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. 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. 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. 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. 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. 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, and to all the infants, wives, sons, and daughters of the entire assembly listed in the genealogical records, for they faithfully consecrated themselves. 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. (NET)

2 Chronicles 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.” (NET)

I. And Azariah the chief priest, from the family of Zadak, answered,..

A. Hicks wrote, “Azariah is not listed in the succession of high priests in 1 Chronicles 6:3-15 and, more than likely, he is not the priest who rebuked Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26:17) forty years earlier.”

1. 1 Chronicles 6:3-15, The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses, and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Eleazar was the father of Phinehas, and Phinehas was the father of Abishua. Abishua was the father of Bukki, and Bukki was the father of Uzzi. Uzzi was the father of Zerahiah, and Zerahiah was the father of Meraioth. Meraioth was the father of Amariah, and Amariah was the father of



Ahitub. Ahitub was the father of Zadok, and Zadok was the father of Ahimaaz. Ahimaaz was the father of Azariah, and Azariah was the father of Johanan. Johanan was the father of Azariah, who served as a priest in the temple Solomon built in Jerusa-lem. Azariah was the father of Amariah, and Amariah was the father of Ahitub. Ahitub was the father of Zadok, and Zadok was the father of Shallum. Shallum was the father of Hilkiah, and Hilkiah was the father of Azariah. Azariah was the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah was the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak went into exile when the LORD sent the people of Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar. (NET)

2. 2 Chronicles 26:17, Azariah the priest and eighty other brave priests of the LORD followed him in. (NET)

B. Hicks further wrote, “Dillard suggests he is the grandson of that Azariah which seems probable in the light of the widespread

practice of papponymy (a son named after the grandfather).

1. Zakok, a high priest in the time of David, was a descendant of Aaron through Eleazar.

a. 2 Samuel 8:17, Zadok son of Ahitub and Ahimelech son of Abiathar were priests; Seraiah was scribe; (NET)

b. 1 Chronicles 24:3, David, Zadok (a descendant of Eleazar), and Ahimelech (a descendant of Ithamar) divided them into groups to carry out their assigned responsibilities. (NET)

II. “Since the people began to bring their contributions to the temple of the Lord,…



III. we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare,..and this great amount is left over.”

A. The priests and Levites had all they needed for their present needs and…

B. a great amount beyond current needs had been donated.

IV. because the Lord has blessed his people,…

A. The people were able to give liberally because God had blessed them.

1. They also gave because their hearts led them to support God’s work.

2 Chronicles 31:11, Hezekiah ordered that storerooms be prepared in the LORD’s temple. When this was done, (NET)

I. Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple of the Lord, and this was done.

A. These storerooms were chambers, granaries in which to store the heaps, vast collections of donated grain. (Clarke)

1. 1 Kings 6:5, He built an extension all around the walls of the temple’s main hall and holy place and constructed side rooms in it. (NET)

B. “Hezekiah solves the problem by (1) preparing storerooms attached to the temple and (2) appointing Levites to supervise the provisions. Thus, the Levites were given the responsibility of collecting, managing, and distributing the tithes,” Hicks wrote.



2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. Then they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts.

A. Faithfulness is an essential requirement of acceptable service to God.

1. 2 Chronicles 19:9, He commanded them: “Carry out your duties with respect for the LORD, with honesty, and with pure motives. (NET)

II. Conaniah, a Levite, was in charge of these things, and …

A. Hicks further wrote, “Cononiah, assisted by his brother Shimei, along with ten other supervisors were charged with the collection and storage of provisions.”

III. his brother Shimei was next in rank.

A. Shemei was second in rank and an assistant to Cononiah.

1. 2 Chronicles 29:14, from the descendants of Heman: Jehiel and Shimei; from the descendants of Jeduthun: Shemaiah and Uzziel. (NET)

2. 1 Chronicles 5:12, They included Joel the leader, Shapham the second in command, Janai, and Shaphat in Bashan. (NET)

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)



I. Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah, Mahath and Benaiah were supervisors…

A. Jehiel and Nahath are mentioned in 2 Chronicles 29:12,14.

1. 2 Chronicles 29:12, 14, The following Levites prepared to carry out the king’s orders: From the Kohathites: Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah; from the Merarites: Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel; from the Gershonites: Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah; from the descendants of Heman: Jehiel and Shimei; from the descendants of Jeduthun: Shemaiah and Uzziel. (NET)

B. Of most of the above people little is known except that they were overseers of Temple tithes and offerings during the reign of Hezekiah of Judah. (Nelson’s New Illustrated bible Dictionary)

II. under Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by appointment of King Hezekiah and Azariah the official in charge of the temple of God.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. Kore son of Imlah the Levite, keeper of the East Gate, was in charge of the freewill offerings given to God,…

A. “Kore, assisted by six others, was responsible for distributing them in the towns of the priests,” Hicks stated.

1. Kore, a son of Imlah the Levite, was also keeper of the East Gate.



2. A person named Imlah was the father of the prophet Micaiah.

a. 2 Chronicles 18:7-8, The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the LORD’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but always disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things!” The king of Israel summoned an officer and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” (NET)

b. 1 Kings 22:8-9, The king of Israel answered Jehoshaphat, “There is still one man through whom we can seek the LORD’s will. But I despise him because he does not prophesy prosperity for me, but disaster. His name is Micaiah son of Imlah. Jehoshaphat said, “The king should not say such things.” The king of Israel summoned an official and said, “Quickly bring Micaiah son of Imlah.” (NET)

II. distributing the contributions made to the Lord and also the consecrated gifts.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. Eden, Miniamin, (Minjamin), Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and Shecaniah…



A. Eden, a Levite who lived during the reign of Hezekiah, assisted during Hezekiah’s religious reformation in the cleansing of the temple and overseeing the distribution of freewill offerings. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

B. Miniamin (Minjamin) helped Kore in the distribution of freewill offerings collected during Hezekiah’s reign. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

C. Jeshua also helped Kore in the distribution of freewill offerings collected during Hezekiah’s reign. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

D. Shemaiah was a Levite who distributed firstfruits, tithes, and gifts to the priests in Hezekiah’s time. (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

E. Amariah was a priest appointed by King Hezekiah to help distribute “the freewill offerings to God.” (Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Dictionary)

F. Shecaniah, a priest during Hezekiah’s reign, assisted in distributing freewill offerings (Bromiley)

II. assisted him faithfully in the towns of the priests,…

A. Joshua 21:19, The priests descended from Aaron received thirteen cities and their grazing areas. (NET)

B. The men named in this verse performed their duties faithfully; that is, honesty, dependably and in a consistent and trustworthy manner.

III. distributing to their fellow priests according to their divisions, old and young alike.



A. Distribution was made fairly to all eligible recipients both in Jerusalem and the towns in which the priests and Levites lived.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. In addition, they distributed to the males three years old or more whose names were in the genealogical records - . . .

A. Young children of the priests and Levites were not neglected but were supported as well.

1. To have failed to provide for these children whose fathers were servants of God would have been horrendously sinful and hypocritical.

B. However, Hicks wrote, “While the NIV reads three years old, the text should read ‘thirty.’”

1. “At thirty, men could begin serving in the temple,” Hicks wrote.

2. Luke 3:23, So Jesus, when he began his ministry, was about thirty years old. He was the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son of Heli, (NET)

C. The RSV, NIV, KJV and ASV read, “…from three years old and upward,” while the NASV reads, “from thirty years old and upward”.

II. all who would enter the temple of the Lord to perform the daily duties of their various tasks,…

III. according to their responsibilities and their divisions.



2 Chronicles 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, (NET)

I. And they distributed to the priests enrolled by their families in the genealogical records and…

II. Likewise to the Levites twenty years old or more,…

A. Clarke wrote, “Moses had ordered that the Levites should not begin their labour till they were thirty years of age, but David changed this order, and obliged them to begin at twenty.”

1. 1 Chronicles 23:27, According to David’s final instructions, the Levites twenty years old and up were counted. (NET)

2. Numbers 4:3, from thirty years old and upward to fifty years old, all who enter the company to do the work in the tent of meeting. (NET)

3. Numbers 8:24, This is what pertains to the Levites: At the age of twenty-five years and upward one may begin to join the company in the work of the tent of meeting, (NET)

B. Hicks wrote, “…but age requirements apparently varied according to the circumstances…such as the number of priests and Levites available to perform the necessary tasks.”

1. 1 Chronicles 23:3, The Levites who were thirty years old and up were counted; there were 38,000 men. (NET)



2. Numbers 8:24, This is what pertains to the Levites: At the age of twenty-five years and upward one may begin to join the company in the work of the tent of meeting, (NET)

3. 2 Chronicles 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, (NET)

III. according to their responsibilities and their divisions.

A. These men faithfully discharged their responsibilities.

1. We would do well to follow their example!

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. They included all the little ones, the wives, and the sons and daughters of the whole community…

II. listed in these genealogical records.

III. For they were faithful in consecrating themselves.

2 Chronicles 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. (NET)

I. As for the priests, the descendants of Aaron, who lived on the farm lands around their town, or in any other towns,…



A. Leviticus 25:32-34, As for the cities of the Levites, the houses in the cities which they possess, the Levites must have a perpetual right of redemption. Whatever someone among the Levites might redeem—the sale of a house which is his property in a city—must revert in the jubilee, because the houses of the cities of the Levites are their property in the midst of the Israelites. Moreover, the open field areas of their cities must not be sold, because that is their perpetual possession. (NET)

B. Numbers 35:2-5, “Instruct the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. You must also give the Levites grazing land around the towns. Thus they will have towns in which to live, and their grazing lands will be for their cattle, for their possessions, and for all their animals. The grazing lands around the towns that you will give to the Levites must extend to a distance of 500 yards from the town wall. “You must measure from outside the wall of the town on the east 1,000 yards, and on the south side 1,000 yards, and on the west side 1,000 yards, and on the north side 1,000 yards, with the town in the middle. This territory must belong to them as grazing land for the towns. (NET)

II. men were designated by name to distribute portion’s to every male among them and to all who were recorded in the genealogies of the Levites.

Note: 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 parallels 2 Kings 18:5-7, He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; in this regard there was none like him among the kings of Judah either before or after. He was loyal to the LORD and did not abandon him. He obeyed the commandments



which the LORD had given to Moses. The LORD was with him; he succeeded in all his endeavors. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and refused to submit to him. (NET)

I. This is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah,…

II. doing what was good and right and faithful before the LORD his God.

A. This is a marvelous description of a godly person and king.

B. This is the kind of person all of us should strive to be; that is, good, righteous and faithful before the Lord.

C. Hezekiah lived in keeping with the truth, God’s word!

D. Of course, he was not perfect.

1. No one except Jesus has gone through this life faultlessly.

2 Chronicles 31:21, He wholeheartedly and successfully reinstituted service in God’s temple and obedience to the law, in order to follow his God. (NET)

I. In everything (every work, all work) that he undertook in the service of God’s temple and in obedience to the law and the commands,…

II. he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly.

A. Hezekiah not only did the right things, that which was in keeping with God’s word, but he did them wholeheartedly, with all his heart!

1. What a wonderful example for all to emulate!

III. And so he prospered.



A. The point here is that Hezekiah prospered because of his faithfulness to God.

B. The Scriptures speak to the matter of success, what it is and ways to achieve it.

1. 1 Chronicles 22:11, 13, “Now, my son, may the LORD be with you! May you succeed and build a temple for the LORD your God, just as he announced you would. Then you will succeed, if you carefully obey the rules and regulations which the LORD ordered Moses to give to Israel. Be strong and brave! Don’t be afraid and don’t panic! (NET)

2. 1 Chronicles 29:23, Solomon sat on the LORD’s throne as king in place of his father David; he was successful and all Israel was loyal to him. (NET)

3. 2 Chronicles 7:11, After Solomon finished building the LORD’s temple and the royal palace, and accomplished all his plans for the LORD’s temple and his royal palace, (NET)

4. 2 Chronicles 13:12, Now look, God is with us as our leader. His priests are ready to blow the trumpets to signal the attack against you. You Israelites, don’t fight against the LORD God of your ancestors, for you will not win!” (NET)

5. 2 Chronicles 14:6-7, He built fortified cities throughout Judah, for the land was at rest and there was no war during those years; the LORD gave him peace. 7 He said to the people of Judah: “Let’s build these cities and fortify



them with walls, towers, and barred gates. The land remains ours because we have followed the LORD our God and he has made us secure on all sides.” So they built the cities and prospered. (NET)

6. 2 Chronicles 18:11, 14, All the prophets were prophesying the same, saying, “Attack Ramoth Gilead! You will succeed; the LORD will hand it over to the king!” Micaiah came before the king and the king asked him, “Micaiah, should we attack Ramoth Gilead or not?” He answered him, “Attack! You will succeed; they will be handed over to you.” (NET)

7. 2 Chronicles 20:20, Early the next morning they marched out to the Desert of Tekoa. When they were ready to march, Jehoshaphat stood up and said: “Listen to me, you people of Judah and residents of Jerusalem! Trust in the LORD your God and you will be safe! Trust in the message of his prophets and you will win.” (NET)

8. 2 Chronicles 24:20, God’s Spirit energized Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood up before the people and said to them, “This is what God says: ‘Why are you violating the commands of the LORD? You will not be prosperous! Because you have rejected the LORD, he has rejected you!’” (NET)

9. 2 Chronicles 32:30, Hezekiah dammed up the source of the waters of the Upper Gihon and directed them down to the west side of the City of David. Hezekiah succeeded in all that he did. (NET)



Conclusion:

I. Hezekiah, Clarke concluded, was a thoroughly excellent man who saw his duty to God and his people and did it with zeal and diligence!



Questions

on

2 Chronicles 31:1-21

(Questions based on NIV text)

1. Summarize 2 Chronicles 31 in your own words. _________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. How long did Hezekiah reign? How much of his reign was covered by religious reform as recorded in 2 Chronicles 29-30?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

3. What is meant by the “divisions/courses” of priests and Levites? What were the purposes of these “divisions/courses”? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4. What were the duties of priests? What were the duties of Levites? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. Give full information about each of the following: morning and evening burnt offerings. ______________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sabbath burnt offerings _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

New moon offerings _________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Appointed feast offerings _____________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

6. Name the annual appointed feasts. ____________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7. What is our rule of faith and practice? _________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8. How did the people respond to the King’s order to support the priests, Levites and God’s service? ___________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

9. What did the people give? What is the question/problem regarding gifts of honey? _____________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What were the holy things of which the people gave a tithe?________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

11. What was begun in the third month? When was this work completed? ________________________________________________



__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

12. The _________ month of the ____________ year was __________ and the ___________________ month was ___________________.

13. The ___________ _____________ closed with the ____________ of ____________, about the ___________ ___________________ of the __________________ _______________, so that a __________ in ______________ could be _______________. The _____________ ______________ brought the ________________ of ______________ when the _____________ was _____________.

14. What was the source of the “heaps”? Of what did they consist? What disposition was made of them? ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. Who were Azariah and Zadok? Regarding the “heaps”, what did they tell the king? ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

16. Why were the people able to give so much? Why did the people give so liberally?________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

17. ______________ is an _____________ ______________ of ____________ ________________ to ______________.

18. Who were the following people? What were their duties as delineated in 2 Chronicles 31?

Conaniah____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shemei______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jehiel_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Azaziah_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Nahath______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Asahel______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jerimoth_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jozabad______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eliel____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Ismakiah_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mahath______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Benaiah_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Kore________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Imlah___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Eden________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Miniamin (Minjamin)________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Jeshua_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Shemaiah____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Amariah_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Sheconiah____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

19. These men named above _____________ their ___________ ___________; that is, ______________,__________________ and in a ________________ and ______________ manner.

20. __________ was made ___________ to __________ ___________ _____________, ______________ and ______________ alike, both in ____________ and the ___________ in which the _________________ and ________________ lived.

21. In 2 Chronicles 31:16, is the correct reading “three years” or “thirty years”? Give reasons for your answer. ___________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

22. Why would three year old children be supported by public contributions which were intended to support religious personnel and temple services? ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________



23. What was the significance of “thirty” years of age in regard to priests and Levites? _______________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

24. Were Levites eligible to begin serving at age twenty or thirty? Give reasons for your answer? _________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

25. How do verses 20 and 21 describe Hezekiah? __________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

26. Why did Hezekiah prosper, succeed? _______________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


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