We are here to attend Josiah, I. To the temple, where we see his religious care for the due observance of the ordinance of the passover, according to the law, ver 1-19. II. To the field of battle, where we see his rashness in engaging with the king of Egypt, and how dearly it cost him, ver 20-23. III. To the grave, where we see him bitterly lamented, ver 24-27. And so we must take our leave of Josiah.
The Scripture useth in sundry places to call the lamb the Passover, which was but the sign of the Passover, because in all sacraments the signs have the names of the things which are signified. Cross references: : 2 Kings 23:21
Verses 1-19 The destruction Josiah made of idolatry, was more largely related in the book of Kings. His solemnizing the passover is related here. The Lord's supper resembles the passover more than any other of the Jewish festivals; and the due observance of that ordinance, is a proof of growing piety and devotion. God alone can truly make our hearts holy, and prepare them for his holy services; but there are duties belonging to us, in doing which we obtain this blessing from the Lord.
The Scripture useth in sundry places to call the lamb the Passover, which was but the sign of the Passover, because in all sacraments the signs have the names of the things which are signified. Cross references: : 2 Kings 23:21
1 Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month. 2 And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord, 3 And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the Lord, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve now the Lord your God, and his people Israel, 4 And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son. 5 And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites. 6 So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses. 7 And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. 8 And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen. 9 Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen. 10 So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment. 11 And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them. 12 And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the Lord, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen. 13 And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people. 14 And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests: because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron. 15 And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer; and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them. 16 So all the service of the Lord was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josiah. 17 And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days. 18 And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. 19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.
By whose. Septuagint, “the powerful in Israel, that they might be sanctified to the Lord; and they put,” &c. Hebrew, “who instructed all Israel, the holy people of the Lord: Put,” &c. (Haydock) — No more. Hebrew adds, “upon your shoulders;” (Haydock) whence it is inferred, that it had been carried about the cities of Juda, under the impious kings, who would not suffer it in the temple. (Calmet) — Some believe that it was kept in the house of Sellum, the uncle of Jeremias, and husband of Olda. (St. Jerome, Trad.) (Tirinus)
As it was before the Temple was built: therefore your office only is now to teach the people, and to praise God. So that the Levite’s charge was not only to minister in the Temple, but also to instruct the people in the word of God.
Families. Hebrew adds, “according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren, the people, (Haydock; or laics. Calmet) and the division of the families of the Levites.” All were placed, with great order, in the temple.