“And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.”
Meaning, all Israel, whom Tiglath-Pileser had not taken away into the captivity, 2 Kings 15:29 .
“For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.”
Though they ought to have done it in the first month, as Exod. 12:18 ; Num. 9:3 , yet if any were not clean, or else had a long journey, they might defer it unto the second month, as Num. 9:10 , 11 .
“So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.”
In such sort and perfection as God had appointed. From one end of the land to the other, North and South.
“So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. from: Heb. from the hand”
He will have compassion on them, and preserve them.
“Now be ye not stiffnecked , as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. be ye: Heb. harden not your necks yield: Heb. give the hand”
Submit yourselves to the Lord, and rebel no more.
“For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.”
God will not only preserve you, but through your repentance restore your brethren, which for their sins he gave into the hands of the enemies.
“So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.”
Though the wicked mock at the servants of God, by whom he calleth them to repentance, as Gen. 19:14 , yet the word ceaseth not to fructify in the hearts of God’s elect.
“Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.”
He showeth the cause why some obey and some mock at God’s calling, to wit, because his Spirit is with the one sort, and moveth their heart, and the others are left to themselves.
“And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.”
Which declareth that we must put away those things wherewith God is offended, before we can serve him aright.
“Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.”
Seeing their own negligence (who should have been most prompt) and the readiness of the people, 2 Chron. 29:36 .
“And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites. their place: Heb. their standing”
To wit, of the lamb of the Passover.
“For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one”
He knew that faith and sincerity of heart was more agreeable to God, than the observation of the ceremonies, and therefore he prayed unto God to pardon this fault unto the people which did not offend of malice but of ignorance.
“And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
That is, did accept them as purified.
“And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers. comfortably: Heb. to the heart of all”
Hebrew, sp a ke to the heart .
“For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. did give: Heb. lifted up, or, offered gave: Heb. lifted up, or, offered”
This great liberality declareth how kings, princes, and all they to whom God hath given wherewith, ought to be most ready to bestow it in setting forth of God’s glory.
“Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven. his holy: Heb. the habitation of his holiness”
According to that which is written, Num. 6:23 , when they should dismiss the people.