Verse 1

Manasses, whether king Osee consented, or the people of Juda followed the dictates of their zeal, neglecting the regular order of things, which forbids the subjects of one kingdom to interfere thus with those of another. Grotius) S. Aug., q. in Deut. vii., and 12. --- If Ezechias gave orders, we may suppose that he was assured of his neighbour's consent. Josias (chap. xxxiv. 6.) followed his example after most part of Israel was led away captive, and the country obeyed the king of Assyria. C.

Verse 2

Praise: literally, "confess." H. --- There is a confession of God's perfections, as well as of sin. W. --- Gates, within their respective courts. C. --- The Turks style the palace of their emperor, "the sublime porte." H. --- Camp, or temple. Sept. "in the gates, in the courts of the house of the Lord." M. --- Grabe has not in the gates. H. --- We know that they did not sing there, but in the courts, (C.) or halls. H.

Verse 3

Substance. Since David had place the ark in the palace of Sion, it seems the kings had furnished the solemn victims for morning and evening, on all the festivals. Solomon also engaged to do it every day; and his magnificence herein astonished the queen of Saba, C. viii. 13., and ix. 4., and 3 K. ix. 25. Ezechiel (xlv.) assigns revenues to the prince for this purpose; but, as the people were often without any, they paid each the third part of a sicle, to furnish the victims, 2 Esdras x. 32. C. --- The king did not wish to exempt himself from contributing, while he required that the people should support the priests. The troublesome times had greatly impaired the revenues of the temple, &c. T.

Verse 4

Portion. Literally, "parts," (H.) first-fruits and tithes. M. --- Lord, without being taken off by worldly cares. It would be well if Christian princes would make an adequate provision for the ministers of religion: (v. 16.; T.) as the law of nature dictates, that those who serve the public should be supported by it. D.

Verse 5

Honey for the priests, not for sacrifice, Lev. ii. 11. It may include dates, or palm wine. See Pliny xiii. 4. C. --- Forth; only wheat, barley, the fruits of vine, olive, pomegranate, fig, and palm-trees. R. Solomon) Lev. xxvii. 30. C.

Verse 6

Things, out of which the Levites had to give tithes to the priests. Lyranus) Num. xviii. 26. M. --- Vowed. Heb. "consecrated to....God, and laid them in heaps." H.

Verse 7

Them, bringing from Pentecost till the harvest was ended.

Verse 10

Sadoc, being his grandson, (1 Paralipomenon vi. 12.; C.) or the father of Sellum. Junius --- People, with abundance; so that more would belong to the priests. C.

Verse 11

Storehouses. Sept. Greek: pastophoria. Solomon had prepared such. T. --- But they had gone to ruin, and others might be requisite. C. --- The old granaries were to be repaired. M. --- People brought their first-fruits to the temple: but the Levites gathered the tithes, and gave a share to the priests, and to those who were on duty, 2 Esdras x. 36.

Verse 12

Second; his vicar or coadjutor. C. C. xxvi. 11., and xxviii. 7. M.

Verse 13

High: literally, "pontiff." H. --- Heb. "captain." He is styled first priest, v. 10. C. --- To whom, &c. is neither in Hebrew nor in the Sept. M. C. D.

Verse 14

And of. Prot. "To distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things," (H.) to the priests.

Verse 16

Besides, (exceptis.; C.) not to mention. H. See Lev. xxiii. 38. Girls are included, v. 18. It is supposed (C.) that children were at the breast till they were three years old, and therefore no portion is assigned them before. (Mariana)

Verse 17

Upward. Ezechias followed the regulation of David, rather than that of Moses, who deferred the service till the 25th or 30th year, Num. iv. 3., and viii. 24., and 1 Paralipomenon xxiii. 24.

Verse 18

To all. Prot. "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." H. --- All complied with their respective duties; the people, the distributors, and the priests. C.

Verse 19

Aaron. Heb. and Sept. add, "the priests," (M.) which is sufficiently understood. --- And in. Heb. "of." H.

Verse 20

God. This is the highest praise that can be given to a prince; and, in effect, we read there was none like him, 4 K. xviii. 5. C. --- Sept. omit and truth. Ezechias loved it, and sincerely desired to serve the Lord. H.

혻

Verse 27

CHAPTER XXXI.