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英文原文
We have here a further account of that blessed reformation of which Hezekiah was a glorious instrument, and of the happy advances he made in it. I. All the remnants of idolatry were destroyed and abolished, 2Ch 31:1. II. The priests and Levites were set to work again, every man in his place, 2Ch 31:2. III. Care was taken for their maintenance. 1. The royal bounty to the clergy, and for the support of the temple service, was duly paid, 2Ch 31:3. 2. Orders were given for the raising of the people's quota, 2Ch 31:4. 3. The people, thereupon, brought in their dues abundantly, 2Ch 31:5-10. 4. Commissioners were appointed for the due distribution of what was brought in, 2Ch 31:11-19. Lastly, Here is the general praise of Hezekiah's sincerity in all his undertakings, 2Ch 31:20,21.
1-10
Hezekiah Destroys Idolatry (726 BC)
繁體中文
希西家毀滅偶像崇拜（主前 726 年）
¹ 這一切都完畢了，所有在場的以色列人都出去到猶大各城，打碎偶像，砍下木偶，又在猶大和便雅憫全地，並以法蓮、瑪拿西，拆毀邱壇和祭壇，直到把它們盡行毀滅。然後以色列眾人都各歸自己的產業、自己的城去了。 ² 希西家派定祭司和利未人的班次，各按各的職任，使祭司和利未人獻燔祭和平安祭，在耶和華殿的門內事奉、稱謝、頌讚。 ³ 又從王的產業中撥出他的分給燔祭，就是早晚的燔祭，安息日、月朔和所定節期的燔祭，都是照耶和華律法上所寫的。 ⁴ 又吩咐住在耶路撒冷的百姓，將祭司和利未人所當得的分給他們，使他們在耶和華的律法上得以專心。 ⁵ 命令一發出，以色列人就把五穀、新酒、新油、蜜，和田野各樣出產的初熟之物多多送來，又把各物的十分之一多多送來。 ⁶ 至於住在猶大各城的以色列人和猶大人，他們也把牛羊的十分之一，並分別為聖歸耶和華他們 神之聖物的十分之一送來，聚成堆壘。 ⁷ 三月他們開始立堆，七月才築完。 ⁸ 希西家和眾首領來看見這些堆壘，就稱頌耶和華和他的百姓以色列。 ⁹ 於是希西家向祭司和利未人查問這些堆壘的事。 ¹⁰ 撒督家的大祭司亞撒利雅回答他說：「自從百姓開始把供物送進耶和華的殿，我們就吃飽了，且剩下的甚多；因為耶和華賜福給他的百姓，所剩下的這一大堆就是。」
此處記載逾越節之後所發生的事。事前在預備的典禮上有所缺欠的，都在事後更好的事上補足了——對逾越節的切實應用。當主日或聖餐的宗教操練結束之後，我們不要以為工作就完成了。不，那時我們工作中最難的部分才開始，就是要把這設立在我們心中的感動，在聖潔行為的各樣事上彰顯出來。此處正是如此；這一切都完畢之後，還有當作的事。
一、他們奮力除滅偶像崇拜的一切遺跡（代下 31:1）。這類的事王已盡力而為（王下 18:4），但百姓能發現那些逃過王官之眼的褻瀆遺物，所以他們出去看自己能作甚麼（代下 31:1）。這是在逾越節之後立即作的。請注意：與 神相交的喜樂，當在我們裡面挑起對罪的聖潔熱心與憤恨，反對一切冒犯 神的事物。我們的心若曾在典禮中如火燃燒，那焚燒之靈必將朽壞的渣滓燒盡。「我如今還與偶像有何干係？」他們此處毀滅「偶像、木偶、邱壇、祭壇」的熱心，表現於：1. 他們不僅在猶大和便雅憫各城如此行，也在以法蓮和瑪拿西如此行。有人認為這是指那些已歸猶大諸王保護與管轄的城。另有人認為，以色列王何細亞既不禁止，他們的熱心便推使他們甚至深入他國境內許多地方去毀滅偶像崇拜。至少那些從以法蓮和瑪拿西出來守逾越節的（許多人如此行，代下 30:18），毀滅了自己一切的偶像和木偶，又對凡他們所能影響、或能求得允許的人，照樣行了。我們不僅當改革自己，也當盡力改革別人。2. 他們毀滅了一切：「盡行毀滅」；他們不因對偶像或其敬拜者的偏愛或感情而寬容任何一個；無論多古、多貴、多美、多有靠山，都必毀滅。請注意：凡真心反對罪的，必反對一切罪。3. 他們不肯回家——雖然他們已離家多時——直到這事作完。他們在城中只要偶像和木偶——那些背叛並毀壞他們國家的東西——仍豎立著，就不能安息，也不能以為自己安全。或許以賽亞先知稍早論到一個日子，人要把自己所造的偶像拋棄之時，正是指著這事說的。這蒙福的改變何等可驚（賽 2:20，31:6–7）。
二、希西家復興並恢復了大衛所設立的祭司利未人班次，這班次近來已被打亂（代下 31:2）。聖殿的事奉重新恢復了正確的方法，回到舊有的軌道中。人人都得以知道自己的工作、自己的崗位、自己的時間，以及對他的期望。請注意：良好的秩序對善工的進行大有貢獻。祭司按班次被派定，為要獻「燔祭和平安祭」；利未人按班次，有的伺候祭司，有的「稱謝頌讚」。參代上 23:4–5。這一切都是「在耶和華帳幕的門內」。聖殿在此被稱為帳幕，因為聖殿的特權是可移動的，而這殿不久也要被遷移。
三、他把王室收入的一部分撥歸壇的維持與支持。百姓本當負擔每日的獻祭，以及安息日、月朔、節期的獻祭；但他為免他們受開銷之累，情願從自己的產業或國庫中撥出，供應這一切獻祭（代下 31:3）。這是敬虔的慷慨之舉，他兼顧了 神的尊嚴與百姓的輕省——對他作了忠僕，對他們作了慈父。願君王和大人把為本國宗教的支持和鼓勵所賜的，看作使用得當、投於最佳利益之處。
四、他首先向耶路撒冷的居民下令（代下 31:4）（使那些離聖殿最近、並因鄰近而得救獲益的人，給別人作好榜樣），但這命令後來擴及、至少容許了「猶大各城」，要他們照律法仔細地把當納的歸給祭司和利未人。這事已長久被忽略，這也是事奉被忽略的緣由（因為可恥的待遇造成可恥的事奉）；但希西家既已慷慨解囊，便有體面要求他的臣民對聖殿的事奉盡責。請留意他恢復祭司利未人應得之分的目的——「使他們在耶和華的律法上得以專心」，專心研究，並按之盡責。請注意此處：1. 傳道人不但當得供養，也當得鼓勵；不但當得供養使他們能作工，也當有充足的供應使他們生活舒適，能愉快地作工。2. 然而供養他們，不是要他們閒懶、驕傲、奢華，而是要他們「在耶和華的律法上」——在自己遵守，並教導別人認識這律法的善知識。
五、百姓於是十分樂意地將當納的十分之一送來。他們所欠的，只是要被呼召；所以「命令一發出」，初熟之物和一切聖物都按當獻的送來（代下 31:5–6）。祭司為自己和家族所需用的，他們使用，剩餘的「聚成堆壘」（代下 31:6）。整個收成之時他們都在加增這些堆壘，因為地的果子收進來之時， 神要從其中得他所當得的。雖可為「十分之一的比例」援引慣例，卻不能為「不納十分之一」援引慣例。收成結束之時，他們也完成了堆壘（代下 31:7）。此處我們看見：1. 對希西家關於那些堆壘的稟報。他「向祭司利未人查問」（代下 31:9），為何不把所納的用掉，竟如此囤積？回答是：他們自己和家族所需用的、以及過冬之用，都用了，所剩下的是有餘的（代下 31:10）。他們囤積這些堆壘並非出於貪婪，而是要顯明 神藉他的律法為他們預備了何等豐富的供應——只要能收集送來；並要顯明那些從自己產業中憑良心把當納的歸給 神的，必使自己所擁有的一切蒙福：「自從他們開始把供物送進來，耶和華就賜福給他的百姓。」參該 2:19。 神說：「你們若不肯用別的方法信我，就試試我——你們把十分之一送入倉房，看你們是否不蒙福傾注」（瑪 3:10–11；結 44:30）。2. 王與眾首領因此所作的認信（代下 31:8）。他們為 神美好的護理感謝他——護理賜他們有所可獻；也為他美好的恩典感謝——恩典賜他們樂獻的心。他們也「稱頌百姓」，就是稱讚他們如今行了善事，並不責備他們從前的疏忽。值得留意的是，他們在近日那令人快慰的逾越節中嘗過了 神典章的甘甜之後，便如此樂意維持聖殿的事奉。凡嘗過設立傳道人之益處的，必不吝惜其費用。
英文原文
Hezekiah Destroys Idolatry (726 BC)
¹ Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
² And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
³ He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
⁴ Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
⁵ And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
⁶ And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
⁷ In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
⁸ And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
⁹ Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
¹⁰ And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
We have here an account of what was done after the passover. What was wanting in the solemnities of preparation for it before was made up in that which is better, a due improvement of it after. When the religious exercises of a Lord's day or a communion are finished we must not think that then the work is done. No, then the hardest part of our work begins, which is to exemplify the impressions of the ordinance upon our minds in all the instances of a holy conversation. So it was here; when all this was finished there was more to be done.
I. They applied themselves with vigour to destroy all the monuments of idolatry, 2Ch 31:1. The king had done what he could of this kind (2Ki 18:4), but the people could discover those profane relics which escaped the eye of the king's officers, and therefore they went out to see what they could do, 2Ch 31:1. This was done immediately after the passover. Note, The comfort of communion with God should kindle in us a holy zeal and indignation against sin, against every thing that is offensive to God. If our hearts have been made to burn within us at an ordinance, that spirit of burning will consume the dross of corruption. What have I now to do any more with idols? Their zeal here in destroying the images and groves, the high places and altars, appeared, 1. In that they did this, not only in the cities of Judah and Benjamin, but in those of Ephraim and Manasseh. Some think that those cities are meant which had come under the protection and the jurisdiction of the kings of Judah. Others think that, Hoshea king of Israel not forbidding it, their zeal carried them out to the destruction of idolatry even in many parts of his kingdom. At least those that came out of Ephraim and Manasseh to keep the passover (as many did, 2Ch 30:18) destroyed all their own images and groves, and did the like for as many more as they had influence upon or could make interest in for leave to do it. We should not only reform ourselves, but do all we can to reform others too. 2. They destroyed all: they utterly destroyed all; they spared none through favour or affection either to the images or to their worshippers; though ever so ancient, ever so costly, ever so beautiful, and ever so well patronised, yet they must all be destroyed. Note, Those that sincerely set themselves against sin will set themselves against all sin. 3. They would not return to their houses, though they had been long absent, till this was done. They could not be easy, nor think themselves safe, in their cities, as long as the images and groves, those betrayers and destroyers of their country, were left standing. Perhaps the prophet Isaiah pointed to this when, a little before, he spoke of a day in which men should cast away the very idols that they themselves had made. So surprising was this blessed change, Isa 2:20,31:6,7.
II. Hezekiah revived and restored the courses of the priests and Levites, which David had appointed and which had of late been put out of course, 2Ch 31:2. The temple service was put into its proper method again, to run in the old channel. Every man was made to know his work, his place, his time, and what was expected from him. Note, Good order contributes much to the carrying on of a good work. The priests were appointed in their courses for burnt-offerings and peace-offerings; the Levites in their courses were some to minister to the priests, others to give thanks and praise. See 1Ch 23:4,5. And all this in the gates or courts of the tents of the Lord. The temple is here called a tent because the temple privileges are movable things and this temple was shortly to be removed.
III. He appropriated a branch of the revenue of his crown to the maintenance and support of the altar. Though the people were to be at the charge of the daily offerings, and those on the sabbaths, new moons, and feasts, yet, rather than they should be burdened with the expense, he allowed out of his own estate, or out of his exchequer, for all those offerings, 2Ch 31:3. It was a generous act of piety, wherein he consulted both God's honour and his people's ease, as a faithful servant to him and a tender father to them. Let princes and great men reckon that well bestowed, and set out to the best interest, which they give for the support and encouragement of religion in their country.
IV. He issued out an order to the inhabitants of Jerusalem first, 2Ch 31:4 (that those who were nearest the temple, and both saved and got by being so, might give a good example to others), but which was afterwards extended to, or at least admitted by, the cities of Judah, that they should carefully pay in their dues, according to the law, to the priests and Levites. This had been long neglected, which made the work to be neglected (for a scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry); but Hezekiah, having himself been liberal, might with a good grace require his subjects to be just to the temple service. And observe the end he aims at in recovering and restoring to the priests and Levites their portion, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord, in the study of it, and in doing their duty according to it. Observe here, 1. It is fit that ministers should be not only maintained, but encouraged, that they should not only be kept to do their work, but that they should also have wherewith to live comfortably, that they may do it with cheerfulness. 2. Yet they are to be maintained, not in idleness, pride, and luxury, but in the law of the Lord, in their observance of it themselves and in teaching others the good knowledge of it.
V. The people thereupon brought in their tithes very readily. They wanted nothing but to be called upon; and therefore, as soon as the commandment came abroad, the first-fruits and all the holy things were duly brought in, 2Ch 31:5,6. What the priests had occasion for, for themselves and their families, they made use of, and the overplus was laid in heaps, 2Ch 31:6. All harvest-time they were increasing these heaps, as the fruits of the earth were gathered in; for God was to have his dues out of them all. Though a prescription may be pleaded for a modus decimandi—tenth proportion, yet it cannot be pleaded pro non decminado—for the omission of the tenth. When harvest ended they finished their heaps, 2Ch 31:7. Now here we have, 1. The account given to Hezekiah concerning those heaps. He questioned the priests and Levites concerning them, why they did not use what was paid in, but hoarded it up thus, (2Ch 31:9), to which it was answered that they had made use of all they had occasion for, for the maintenance of themselves and their families and for their winter store, and that this was that which was left over and above, 2Ch 31:10. They did not hoard these heaps for covetousness, but to show what plentiful provision God by his law had made for them, if they could but have it collected and brought in, and that those who conscientiously give God his dues out of their estates bring a blessing upon all they have: Since they began to bring in the offerings the Lord has blessed his people. See for this Hag 2:19. "Try me," says God, "if you will not otherwise trust me, whether, upon your bringing the tithes into the store-house, you have not a blessing poured out upon you," Mal 3:10,11, Eze 44:30. 2. The acknowledgment which the king and princes made of it, 2Ch 31:8. They gave thanks to God for his good providence, which gave them something to bring, and his good grace, which gave them hearts to bring it. And they also blessed the people, that is, commended them for their doing well now, without reproaching them for their former neglects. It is observable that after they had tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance, in the late comfortable passover, they were thus free in maintaining the temple service. Those that experience the benefit of a settled ministry will not grudge the expense of it.
11-21
The Maintenance of the Priests (720 BC)
繁體中文
祭司的供養（主前720年）
¹¹ 希西家吩咐在耶和華殿裡預備倉房；他們就預備了。 ¹² 他們誠實地將當獻的祭物、十分取一之物和分別為聖的物，都搬進倉房。利未人歌楠雅管理這事，他兄弟示每是次等的。 ¹³ 耶歇、亞撒西雅、拿哈、亞撒黑、耶利摩、約撒拔、以列、伊斯瑪基雅、瑪哈、比拿雅，在歌楠雅和他兄弟示每手下作監督，都是照希西家王和神殿的總管亞撒利雅的命令。 ¹⁴ 利未人音拿的兒子可利，守東門，掌管獻與神的甘心祭，將獻與耶和華的素祭和至聖之物分發。 ¹⁵ 在他手下的是伊甸、米雅憫、耶書亞、示瑪雅、亞瑪利雅、示迦尼雅，在祭司的諸城裡按著班次，照著所有的男丁，無論大小，分給他們的弟兄。 ¹⁶ 按著家譜，三歲以外的男丁，凡進入耶和華殿的，每日各按職任、照著班次，都分給應得的份。 ¹⁷ 又按著祭司的家譜，按著宗族，利未人二十歲以外的，按著班次和職任，都分給他們。 ¹⁸ 又按著家譜，他們所有的小孩、妻子、兒女，全會眾都登記在冊；因為他們在聖職上盡力自潔成聖。 ¹⁹ 亞倫子孫作祭司的，在他們各城的郊野田間，按著名字記在冊上的人，也分給份給祭司所有的男丁，又分給一切按著家譜登記的利未人。 ²⁰ 希西家在猶大遍地這樣行，在耶和華——他的神面前行良善、正直、忠誠的事。 ²¹ 凡他所行的，無論是辦神殿的事，是遵律法守誡命，尋求他的神，都是盡心去行，無不亨通。
此處我們看見：
一、希西家關於教會事務的兩項具體安排——既已使教會井然有序，便要使之保持如此。十分取一之物和其他當獻之物既已收進來，他便安排：1. 這些物要妥善儲藏，不可散放在外、任其浪費或被侵吞。他吩咐在聖殿的院宇中預備倉房（代下三十一11），一切當獻的物就搬入其中、鎖好保存（代下三十一12-13）。又設立司庫或倉務管理員，監管這些物品，「使蟲子和鏽壞不能腐蝕，賊也不能挖窟窿來偷」。在豐足之日將盈餘儲藏起來，這智慧我們可以從螞蟻學得，因為螞蟻「在夏天預備食物」。將所獻之物儲存起來，也鼓勵百姓樂意繳納。看見獻物被妥善管理，公眾便樂意獻上。2. 這些物要按所定的用途忠實支出。教會的財物不可長久積存不用，否則連鏽也要作見證指控囤積的人。於是設立了職事，委派那些（無疑是）經考驗有智慧有忠心的人，「將獻與耶和華的素祭和至聖之物分發」給祭司（代下三十一14），務使人人都能得著自己和家人充足的生活所需。律法已經為他們全體預備了足夠的供應，因此若有人所得太少，必是因為別人所得太多；為防止這種不均，這些職事在處理聖殿的收入時，便須按某種確定的比例規則而行。此處論到祭司（代下三十一18），說他們「在聖職上自潔成聖」；原文是「在信心中自潔成聖」，意思是（如帕特里克主教所解釋的），他們在神的殿中盡忠職守，深信自己必蒙供應一切所需。如今正因為他們以這樣的信心事奉神，所以神也安排使他們不至對所盼望的羞愧。請注意，凡憑信心將自己分別為聖歸給神和他的事奉的人——信神必使他們一切所需的不致缺乏——「就必得著餵養」。從獻與耶和華的祭物中，便有分發：（一）給諸城中的祭司（代下三十一15），他們在弟兄上耶路撒冷之時留守本城，在那裡以「教訓人認識耶和華的善道」行善。傳道的祭司與獻祭的祭司同樣受供養，留守後方的人與爭戰的人同樣受供養。（二）給那些「進入耶和華殿的人」，就是「三歲以外的男丁」；因為男童甚至在這樣幼小的年紀，似乎就蒙允許隨父母進殿，並與他們同得這分發之物（代下三十一16）。（三）連二十歲以外的利未人也有自己的份（代下三十一17）。（四）祭司和利未人的妻兒也從這些祭物中得著舒適的供養（代下三十一18）。在供養傳道人之時，必須顧念他們的家人，使他們不但自己，連他們家中的人也得著便利的食物。在有些國家，傳道人由國家支付薪俸，每生一子便加增一份津貼。（五）住在鄉間、「在郊野田間」的祭司也不被忽略（代下三十一19）。那些住在鄉村的人雖然花費或許較少，也都有他們的份。
二、希西家為維護宗教所作事奉的總評（代下三十一20-21）。1. 他的敬虔熱心遍及他國度的各處：「他在猶大遍地這樣行」；全國每一地區，不僅鄰近他本人的那些，都分享了他善政的果實。2. 他真誠地以討神喜悅為志，在一切所行的事上都向神表明自己是蒙悅納的：「他在耶和華——他的神面前行良善……的事」；他所關注的，只是行那蒙神悅納的事，就是「正直」（合乎天然公正的），「和忠誠」（合乎神的啟示和他與神所立之約的），「在耶和華面前」——按著那聖潔、公義、良善的律法而行。3. 凡他所開始的，他都堅持到底，竭力推進，「盡心去行」。4. 他一切的好意圖都得了好結局；無論是在神殿的事奉上，還是在國度的治理上，他所作的無不亨通。請注意，凡是出於真誠為神的榮耀而著手的事，最終必成功，成為我們自己的尊榮和安慰。
英文原文
The Maintenance of the Priests (720 BC)
¹¹ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
¹² And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
¹³ And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
¹⁴ And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
¹⁵ And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
¹⁶ Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
¹⁷ Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
¹⁸ And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
¹⁹ Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
²⁰ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
²¹ And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
Here we have,
I. Two particular instances of the care of Hezekiah concerning church matters, having put them into good order, to keep them so. The tithes and other holy things being brought in, he provided, 1. That they should be carefully laid up, and not left exposed in loose heaps, liable to be wasted and embezzled. He ordered chambers to be made ready in some of the courts of the temple for store-chambers (2Ch 31:11), and into them the offerings were brought and there kept under lock and key, 2Ch 31:12,13. Treasures or store-keepers were appointed, who had the oversight of them, to see that moth and rust did not corrupt them nor thieves break through to steal. This wisdom of laying up the surplus in days of plenty we may learn from the ant, who provideth meat in summer. The laying up in store what was brought in was an encouragement to people to pay in their contributions. That will be given cheerfully by the public which appears to be well husbanded. 2. That they should be faithfully laid out, according to the uses they were intended for. Church treasures are not to be hoarded any longer than till there is occasion for them, lest even the rust should be a witness against those who hoard them. Officers were appointed, men (no doubt) of approved wisdom and faithfulness, to distribute the oblations of the Lord and the most holy things among the priests (2Ch 31:14), and to see that they all had a competent maintenance for themselves and their families. The law provided sufficient for them all, and therefore, if some had too little, it must be because others had too much; to prevent such inequality these officers were to go by some certain rule of proportion in the disposal of the incomes of the temple. It is said of the priests here (2Ch 31:18) that in their set office they sanctified themselves; in faith they sanctified themselves (so the word is), that is, as bishop Patrick explains it, they attended their ministry at the house of God, not doubting but they should be provided with all things necessary. Now, because they served God in that confidence, care was taken that they should not be made ashamed of their hope. Note, Those that sanctify themselves to God and his service in faith, believing that he will see them want for nothing that is good for them, shall certainly be fed. Out of the offerings of the Lord distribution was made, (1.) To the priests in the cities (2Ch 31:15), who staid at home while their brethren went to Jerusalem, and did good there in teaching the good knowledge of the Lord. The preaching priests were maintained as well as the sacrificing priests, and those that abode by the stuff as well as those that warred the warfare. (2.) To those that entered into the house of the Lord, all the males from three years old and upwards; for the male children even at that tender age, it seems, were allowed to come into the temple with their parents, and shared with them in this distribution, 2Ch 31:16. (3.) Even the Levites from twenty years old and upwards had their share, 2Ch 31:17. (4.) The wives and children of the priests and Levites had a comfortable maintenance out of those offerings, 2Ch 31:18. In maintaining ministers, regard must be had to their families, that not they only, but theirs, may have food convenient. In some countries where ministers have their salary paid them by the state an addition is made to it upon the birth of a child. (5.) The priests in the country, that lived in the fields of the suburbs, were not overlooked in this ministration, 2Ch 31:19. Those also had their share who were inhabitants of the villages, though they might be supposed to live at a less expense.
II. A general character of Hezekiah's services for the support of religion, 2Ch 31:20,21. 1. His pious zeal reached to all the parts of his kingdom: Thus he did throughout all Judah; every part of the country, and not those only that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government. 2. He sincerely designed to please God, and approved himself to him in all he did: He wrought that which was good before the Lord his God; all his care was to do that which should be accepted of God, which was right (that is, agreeable to natural equity), and truth (that is, agreeable to divine revelation and his covenant with God), before the Lord; to do according to that law which is holy, just, and good. 3. What he began he went through with, prosecuted it with vigour, and did it with all his heart. 4. All his good intentions were brought to a good issue; whatever he did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his kingdom, he prospered in it. Note, What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.
本章進一步記述那場希西家作為榮耀器皿所推動的蒙福改革，以及他在其中所取得的美好進展。一、拜偶像的一切餘跡都被毀除淨盡（代下 31:1）。二、祭司和利未人重新被派定各就其位、各盡其職（代下 31:2）。三、為他們的生計作了安排。1. 王按例撥給祭司的供給，並為維持聖殿事奉所需，都如期繳付（代下 31:3）。2. 下令徵收百姓當納的份（代下 31:4）。3. 百姓因此豐豐足足地將當獻的帶來（代下 31:5-10）。4. 委派專人妥善分發所收到的供物（代下 31:11-19）。最後，本章總結稱讚希西家在一切所行的事上都出於真誠（代下 31:20,21）。