The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 367

Vers. 13-27.-A national Passove,· at Je,rusalem. I. 'l'm: OELEDRATING ooNGREGA• TI?N· 1. LrJrge. "Much people;" "a very great congregl\tion" (ver, 13). Though this was uBual at the chief religious festivals of the nation, probably so Vl\st a con• course of people as assembled at Jerusalem in answer to the king's invitation, in the second month of the first or seventh year of his reign (seo preceding homily), had not been witnessed since the days of Jehoiada (eh. xxiii. 2) or of Asa (eh. xv. 9, 10). Something stimulating and impressive in the sight of a crowded city, even when its SL>ething population drifts aimlessly about, much more when all are 11wayed by a c0mmon feeling and moved by a common impulse. 2. Mimed. Composed of (1) o.ll t~e ~ongregation uf Judah, i.e. of the inhabitants of the metropolis and of the country districts of J udrea, with the priests and the Levites; (2) all the congregation that came out of Israel, viz. a multitude of people from Ephraim and llln.nasseh, Issar.he.r, and Zabulon (ver. 18); and (3) the strangers, or proselytes who dwelt within the borders of Judah, anci those who came from Israel or the northern kingdom (ver. 26). 3. United. All actuated by one purpose-that of keeping the Feast of Unleavened Bread (ver. 13), which probably none of them in their lilctime had ever done. It was such a festival as could be rightly celebrated only by a united people, and such as was fitted to draw closer the bonds of union between the celebrants. 4. Resolute. Prepared to undergo any sacrifices and attempt any labours necessary to carry the feast through with success, determined to bo hindered by nothing and no one from their great .act of religious homage to tbe Lord God of their fathers (vers. 19, 22). 5. Joyous. Inspired with feelings of gladness (ver. 23), even "great gladness" (ver. 21), and "great joy" (ver. 26), v.·hich found expression in peace offerings and penitential confessions (ver. 22), accompanied by vocal and instrumental strains, and abated not during the seven days of the feast proper (ver. 21), but sustained the people throughout seven superadded days (ver. 23). Indeed, so high ran the enthusiasm, and so overflowing became the joy, that nothing like it had been witnessed since the days of Solomon, when the dedication of the temple had been celebrated by a double period of rejoicing (eh. vii. 1-10). 'l'he occasion certainly was fitted to excite gladness-the return of the nation to its allegiance to Jehovah. So is the soul's return to God in penitence, faith, and holy obedience a cause of jubilation not only in heaven (Luke xv. 7, 10), but also on earth (AcLs viii. 8); aud not among spectators merely, but also in the souls of them who return (Luke x.xiv. 52; Acts viii 39; Rom. v. 11). Moreover, tbe service of God and Christ should always be accompaniecl with gladne~s (l's. c. 2; cxlix. 2, 5; Isa. xii. 3), as in gladness it will invariably result (Ps. lxiv. 10; Isa. xlvili. 18; li. 11; Rom. xiv. 17; 1 Thess. v. 16). IL Tm: CELEBRATED FESTIVAL, 1. The zeal of the people. (1) Necessaryprepara• tion. This consisted of two things-the purgation of the city from idolatry, and the cleansing of themselves from defilement. The first they carried out with promptitude and decision-" they arose and took away the altars" (ver. 14); and with thorough- going energy and efficiency which allowed of no escape-" they took them all away," the altars for offering to heathen divinities, and the altars or "vessels" for incense, which .Ahaz had erected in e\'ery cor::ier of the city (eh. xxviii. 24), and cast them into the Kidron, where already the filth of the temple had been thrown (eh. xxix.16). Never in any previous reign had there been such a clearance of the instruments of idolatry as now occurred under Hezekiah. The second, though not mentioned, is implied, at least, of those who belonged to Judah (see ver. 17; and cf. on ver. 3). 'l'hese, having had the means of self-sanctification at hand, most likely used them; those who came from brae! having not had such means, thllir want of sanctification was prayed for and over- looked (vers. 17-20). (2) Statutory adoration. 'l'hey killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month (see on ver. 2). 'l'he heads of families in Judah who were sanctified killed their own lambs and placed the blood in the priests' hands; for such as had not been cleansed according to the purification of the sactuary, the Levites killed the Passovers, and delivered the blood into the hands of tho priests (ver. 17). These sprinkled the blood upon the altars. 2. The behaviour.of the priests and Levites. (1) 'l'heir sanctification of themselve~. 'l'he priests and Levites were not those of Jerusalem merely who had taken part in the dedication of the temple, and of whom it is said (eh. xxix. 34) that the Levites hat! been more forward to sanctify themsclvco tLian the prieets, but the whole body of the priests antl Levites who had come from 011. xxx. 1-27.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 371