Chapter 30

1 Hezekiah proclaimeth a solemn passover on the second month for Judah and Israel. 13 The assembly, having destroyed the altars of idolatry, keep the feast fourteen days. 27 The priests and Levites bless the people.

1. Sent to all Israel and Judah. This shows Hezekiah’s concern not only for Judah but also for Israel. Having restored the worship in the Temple, he sent letters throughout the territory of Israel inviting its people to come to the Passover service.

To Ephraim and Manasseh. These were the principal tribes in the territory of the northern kingdom not yet carried into captivity. The tribes east of the Jordan and the northern tribes had earlier suffered deportation (2 Kings 15:29; 1 Chron. 5:26).

2. The second month. The work of cleansing and sanctifying the Temple was not completed till the 16th day of the 1st month (ch. 29:17), and the Passover service ordinarily began on the 14th day of the 1st month (Ex. 12:2, 6; Lev. 23:5). But in cases of emergency the law permitted individuals to observe the Passover on the 14th day of the 2d month (Num. 9:6–11).

3. At that time. That is, at its usual time, the 14th of Nisan.

5. Proclamation. Heb. qol, literally, “a voice.” The government of Judah decreed that word should be sent to the inhabitants of Israel inviting them to the Passover. The narrative does not imply that the proclamation itself was of the nature of an official decree. Hezekiah could hardly have made an official proclamation in Hoshea’s kingdom without the cooperation of the Israelite king, and the narrative indicates no such cooperation.

From Beer-sheba even to Dan. A similar expression had been in use during the judges period (Judges 20:1; 1 Sam. 3:20) and during the period of the united monarchy (2 Sam. 3:10; 17:11; 24:2; 1 Kings 4:25; 1 Chron. 21:2), but after the division of the kingdom this is the first occasion of its use in the narrative.

Of a long time. In the days of Rehoboam of Judah many of the faithful in Israel forsook their nation that they might worship the Lord at Jerusalem (ch. 11:16, 17), and in the days of Asa many Israelites again joined their brethren in Judah ch. 15:9). Jeroboam had established the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan to keep his people from going to Jerusalem to worship (1 Kings 12:27–33), and Baasha fortified Ramah, near the border, to prevent the Israelites from falling away to Judah (2 Chron. 16:1). But now again, after so long a time, the situation was open for an invitation to worship at Jerusalem. Hoshea, a puppet of Assyria (see on 2 Kings 17:1), ruling over an already partly dismembered kingdom, was probably either too weak or too indifferent to interfere with Hezekiah’s messengers.

6. The posts. Literally, “the runners.”

That are escaped. When these words were written, the eastern and northern parts of the kingdom of Israel had already fallen into the hands of Assyria. Tiglathpileser III had come up against Israel in the days of Pekah, and had taken Galilee, all the land of Naphtali, and Gilead (2 Kings 15:29). Further, he had carried off the Reubenites, and the Gadites, and“ the half tribe of Manasseh” (1 Chron. 5:26). The feeble remnant that had escaped was given one more opportunity to repent (see PK 287–291) before the coming of Shalmaneser, who imprisoned Hoshea and began the final siege of Samaria (2 Kings 17:4–6; 18:9, 10).

10. Unto Zebulun. Reuben and Gad are not mentioned; possibly they had been deported more completely than the other tribes.

They laughed. The attitude of the northern tribes was, as a whole, one of hostility to God and His worship.

11. Divers of Asher. In spite of the general hostility, some from the northern tribes responded to Hezekiah’s gracious invitation and came to Jerusalem for the Passover service. No matter how widespread apostasy may be, the Lord always has a faithful few who remain loyal to Him (see Rom. 9:27; Rom. 11:3, 5).

12. Also in Judah. In Judah, in contrast with Israel, the people responded to the movings of the Holy Spirit and with one heart accepted the invitation to attend the Passover.

13. Unleavened bread. This feast, like the Passover, was normally observed in the first month, in the seven days following the Passover (Ex. 12:18; Lev. 23:5–8; Num. 28:16, 17).

14. Took away the altars. These were the altars that Ahaz had erected “in every corner of Jerusalem” (ch. 28:24). In the first year of his reign Hezekiah removed these altars devoted to false gods.

Into the brook Kidron. See on (ch. 29:16.

15. Were ashamed. It appears that up to this point many of the priests had neglected to purify themselves (ch. 29:34; 30:3), but now, shamed by the general ardor, they sanctified themselves by the purification ritual so as to be ready for participation in the paschal ceremonies.

16. Law of Moses. There are numerous references to the law in Chronicles (see ch. 23:18; 24:6; 14:4; 17:9).

Sprinkled the blood. Compare Lev. 1:5, 11, 15; 3:2, 8, 13.

17. Were not sanctified. The people from the northern tribes were for the most part involved in some sort of moral defilement from which they had not had the opportunity to cleanse themselves (v. 18).

Killing of the passovers. The Passover lambs were to be slain by “the congregation of Israel” (Ex. 12:6). However, in this instance they were slain by Levites in behalf of those members of the congregation who had not yet purified themselves.

18. Many of Ephraim. The enumeration of these tribes indicates the wide area covered by the messengers of Hezekiah in inviting members from the territory of the northern kingdom to attend the Passover at Jerusalem.

Otherwise than it was written. Those who were not purified were not permitted to eat the Passover at the regular season, but were permitted to eat it one month later (Num. 9:6, 7, 11). In this instance the Passover had already been postponed to the second month, so a special dispensation was made to the unpurified members of the northern tribes who were permitted to partake of the Passover offerings.

19. Prepareth his heart. This was the important item, rather than mere ceremonial purity. Everything was not done according to the strict letter of the law, but, circumstances having made that impossible, the spirit of the law was followed. God is reasonable, and true servants of His are men of reason and prudence. Everyone engaged in the work of the Lord will find that circumstances sometimes do alter cases, and extreme situations may arise where judgment and reason must replace a strict observance of the letter of the law. This is no excuse for laxity, but emergencies must be met as the circumstances require.

20. Hearkened to Hezekiah. The fact that the Lord heard Hezekiah’s prayer shows that spiritual sincerity in the sight of God is preferred to a cold and formal adherence to strict legal prescriptions.

Healed the people. The Lord pardoned the sins of those who truly sought Him (see Ps. 41:4; Jer. 3:22; Hosea 14:4).

21. Seven days. In accord with the Mosaic requirements (Ex. 12:18; 23:15; Lev. 23:6; Num. 28:17).

With great gladness. True religion brings to its devotee true joy and gladness. The services of religion should contribute to the happiness and satisfaction of all who participate in them. The Hebrew religious festivals were of such a nature as to bring holy pleasure to the people.

Loud instruments. Compare 2 Chron. 5:12, 13; 1 Chron. 15:28.

23. Other seven days. This was a voluntary addition to the requirements of the law, giving the people a two-week festival rather than the usual seven days. The additional feast was a result and sign of the abounding zeal and joy occasioned by the first seven days of festivities.

25. All the congregation. There were three classes of people present at this festival: (1) inhabitants of Judah, including common people, priests, and Levites; (2) inhabitants of Israel; (3) proselytes, both from Israel and from Judah.

26. Since the time of Solomon. The last previous occasion when it was possible for the people of both Israel and Judah to join in such a festival in Jerusalem was at the time of Solomon, when the kingdom was still united. After the disruption no common religious services that would include the citizens of both nations were possible, except as Israelites left the northern kingdom to migrate to Judah. Now the northern nation was so weakened that it again was possible for the Israelites who desired, to come to Jerusalem for worship.

27. Blessed the people. Probably with the priestly blessing commanded by Moses (Num. 6:22–27).

Ellen G. White comments

1–27PK 288–291, 335–338

1, 2 PK 335

5–9PK 288

10, 11 PK 336

10–13PK 291

12, 21–23PK 337

26, 27 PK 338