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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.

To Ephraim and Manasseh. — That is, To all that were left of the ten tribes under king Hoshea, who, being rather atheist than idolater, and brought very low by the Assyrian, hindered not the people’s going up to the temple. The good of our brethren in other kingdoms mast also be minded.

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For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

To keep the passover in the second month. — He knew that nunquam sero si serio. See Numbers 9:10 . If we can but say, with Augustine, Nimis sero te amavi Domine, all shall do well.

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For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

For they could not keep it at that time. — Namely, On the fourteenth day of the first month, for the two following reasons. See the like, Numbers 9:10-11 .

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And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

And all the congregation. — Who might here well say, in the courtier’s language, Whatsoever pleaseth the king shall please me.

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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.

For they had not done it of a long time. — So easily falleth religion to the ground under bad princes and priests: such as were Ahaz and Uriah.

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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.

Ye children of Israel, turn again to the Lord. — Hezekiah knew that the poor remnant of Israel were in great affliction: he therefore presseth them to repentance, whereby men return to God, as by sin they run from him. Afflictiones sunt lex practice Psalms 119:71 Hezekiah thought it was good striking while the iron was hot.

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And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, [who] therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

Who gave them up to desolation. — Heb., To astonishment: fecit ut omnes mirarentur, ac misererentur.

As ye see. — For it is to be hoped that your afflictions - those pillulae lucis - have cleared up your eyesight.

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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.

But yield yourselves unto the Lord. — Heb., Give the hand; i.e., submit to his justice, and implore his mercy; put yourselves into the hands of justice, in hope of mercy. "Humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that he may lift you up." James 5:10 "He will not take the wicked by the hand." Job 8:20 , margin

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