Verse 1

sent. This was before the Removal of Israel.

all Israel. See note on 2 Chronicles 30:24 and App-67.

also. He wrote letters, as well as sent messengers. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

keep the passover. One of the ten observances of this feast. See note on Exodus 12:28.

God Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

Verse 2

congregation = assembly. See note on Genesis 28:3.

the second month. As provided by the law (Numbers 9:6-13).

Verse 3

at that time: i.e. the first month, while all the work was going on. Compare Exodus 12:18.

Verse 4

pleased = was right in the eyes of.

Verse 5

throughout all Israel. The king, Hoshea, not objecting. Compare 2 Kings 17:2.

had not done it. Not since the division of the kingdom.

Verse 6

posts = couriers. Compare Esther 3:13, Esther 3:15; Esther 8:10, Esther 8:14. Jeremiah 51:31. Elsewhere rendered "footmen" (1 Samuel 22:17), or "guard" (1 Kings 14:27, 1 Kings 14:28; 2 Kings 10:25. 2 Kings 12:10, 2 Kings 12:11).

from = from the hand of: i.e. by his direction.

children = sons.

Abraham, Isaac, and Israel. See note on 1 Kings 18:36 for the 5 occurrences of this expression.

the kings of Assyria. Pul and Tilgath-pilneser (2 Kings 15:19. 1 Chronicles 5:26). These escaped captives were from the large numbers which had already been removed. See note on 2 Chronicles 30:9 and App-67.

Verse 7

trespassed. Hebrew. ma"al. App-44.

as = according as.

Verse 8

stiffnecked. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), App-6, put for obstinacy.

yield yourselves = submit yourselves. Hebrew "give the hand", "hand" being put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for submission. Compare 1 Chronicles 29:24.

Verse 9

lead them captive. Though the ten tribes, as such, had not been deported, yet thousands had been led captive. Hezekiah"s Song of the degrees (Psalms 126:1) refers to this. Compare 2 Chronicles 30:6, and see App-67.

gracious, &c. Compare Exodus 34:6.

Verse 11

divers = men. Hebrew. "enosh, App-14.

of Asher. These must have remained with Judah. Compare Luke 2:36, showing that Judah was representative of the whole nation. See note on 1 Kings 12:17.

Verse 12

God. Hebrew. Elohim (with Art.) = the [true] God. App-4.

one heart. It is to this that Hezekiah refers in his Song of the degrees (Psalms 133:1). It is a Psalm of David, selected by Hezekiah because David knew the blessedness of this "unity". See 2 Samuel 19:9, 2 Samuel 19:14 and App-67.

by. Some codices, with six early printed editions and Syriac, read "according to".

Verse 14

altars. The brazen serpent also. See 2 Kings 18:4.

brook = ravine.

Verse 16

stood, &c. Hebrew "stood in their standing"; i.e. stood in their appointed place. Figure of speech Polyptoton (App-6).

the law of Moses. Compare 2 Chronicles 29:22.

the man of God. See note on Deuteronomy 33:1, and App-49.

Verse 17

passovers. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct), for the "passover lambs".

Verse 18

otherwise. Hezekiah considered this to be the lesser of two evils.

Verse 20

healed. And did not visit according to Leviticus 15:31.

Verse 21

present = found.

Verse 22

comfortably. Compare Isaiah 40:2.

offering. Hebrew. zabach. App-43.

Verse 23

other seven days. As at Solomon"s Dedication.

Verse 25

strangers = sojourners. Exodus 12:48, Exodus 12:49.

Verse 26

not the like. Referring to the extra days of 2 Chronicles 30:23. Perfectly true; for this was "since the time of Solomon". Josiah"s passover (2 Kings 23:22, 2 Kings 23:23) was after Hezekiah"s.

Verse 27

the priests the Levites. Compare Deuteronomy 17:9. But some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "and the".

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5.