The Pulpit Commentary — 2 Chronicles — Section 433

"ccording to the Word of the Lord by the h11nd of Moses (ver. 6). 8. Concerning tho people. These, i.e. such of them as were poor, or had come from a distance without hn,ing brought the necessary sacrificial animals, were furnished with lambs, kids, e.nd bullocks, or. small cattle a~d oxen (vers. 7-9), without which they could not have taken part in the celebration. At least the poor would have been excluded, whioh would h11'l"e marred both the completeness and hilarity of the celebration. III. GREAT IN RESPECT OF ITS AOOOMPANYING LIBERALITY, 1. On the part of the 1c,:ng. From the roy11l revenues Josiah contributed for the Passover offerings (1) largely -thirty thousand lambs and kids and three thouS11nd bullocks (ver. 7), a much larger gifr than was presented by Hezekiah (eh. xxx. 24); and (2) promptly, taking the lead in his good work, and so supplying an example to his subjects. 2. On the part of the royal princes. These, copying the action of their sovereii!:D, likewise made donations (1) free!~-, or "for a free-will offering "-an indispensable quality in all religious giving (2 Cor. viii. 12); and it may be hoped (2) largely, though this is not stated. 'l'hey would hardly fall behind the princes in the time of Hezekiah (eh. xxx. 24). 3. On the 'Part of the, 'NJ,l,ers of the temple. Hilkiah the high priest (eh. xx.xiv. 9), Zecbariah, perhaps the next in rank to him, "the second priest" (2 Kings xxv. 18; Jer. Iii. 24), and Jehiel, the chief of the line of lthamar (Ezra viii. 2), exhibited a similar praiseworthy liberality (ver. 8). 4. On the, part of the Levite princes. Six of these whose names are recordecl-Conaniah, with bis two brothers Shema.iah and Nethaneel, with Hashabiah, Jeiel, and Joz11bad-also displayed a high degree of generosity (ver. 9). IV. GREAT IN B.ESPEOT OF ITS 00-OPEB.ATING ACTIVITY. Each had his part to perform, and each performed it in such a way as not to hinder, but to accelerate the progress; and not to mar, but to increase the effect of the whole. 1. The priests. These (1) stood in their place beside the altars (ver. 10; eh. x.xx. 16); (2) sprinkled the blood they received from the Levites (ver. 11; eh. xx.x. 16); and (3) offered burnt offerings and the fat until night (ver. 14). 2. The Levites. These (1) killed the Passover victims (ver. 11); (2) flayed or skinned them (ver. 11); and (3) removed from their carcases such parts as were designed to be offered as burnt offerings (ver.12); after which they (4) roasted the Passover with :fire, according to the Mosaic ordinance (ver. 13; Exod. xii 8, 9) ; (5) boiled the other offerings in pots, caldrons, and pans (ver. 13); (6) divided them as they were ready among the people (ver. 13); and (7) prepared the Passover for themselves and for the priests (ver. 14). 3. The singers. These, the sons of Asaph, stood in their places, in the court of the temple, discoursing music with harps, psalteries, and cymbals (1 Chron. x.xv. 1), without once leaving their ranks even to eat the Passover, the Levites preparing for and fetching to them their portion (ver. 15). 4. The porters. At every gate these watched, never departing from their service, because the Levites did for them as for the musicians (ver. 15). Thus each contributed his pa.rt, and all worked harmoniously towards the production of the general result. V. GREAT m RESPECT OF ITS CELEBRATING NUMBERS. The feast was attended by: L The inhabitoJnts of Jerusalem, including Josiah and his princes, with the priests and the Levites. 2. .All Judah, meaning the population beyond the metropolis, in the country districts. 3. The chil,dren of Israel,; i.e. the members of the northern kingdom who had not been carried into exile, and who had come to Jerusalem to be present at the feast. Learn: 1. The duty of observing the public ordinances of religion. 2. The beauty and value of unity and co-operation in Christian work and worship. 3. The propriety of having special seasons of religious service.-W. Vers. 20-27.-The death of Josi,ah. I. JosuH'B HILITAB.Y EXPEDITION. (Ver. 20.) Seeminaly the only expedition in his reign. 1. When it took place. "After all this, when J~siab bad prepared the temple;" i.e. after the eighteenth year of his reign, in point of fact, thirteen years after (eh. xxxiv. 1). 2. .Against whom it was directed. Necho King of Egypt; in Egyptian, Neku, son of Psammatik I., the illustrious founder of the Saitic or twenty-si.xth dynasty, and grandson of Necho L, of the twenty-fifth or Ethiopian dynasty. Necbo II. ascended the throne of the Pharaohs in n.c. 612, and reigned sixteen years. A warlike and adventurous prince, he was likewise devoted to commercial pursuits; he possessed two fleets of <ireek-ma<le triremes, one in the on. xnv. 1-27.] THE SECOND BOOK OF THE CHRONICLES. 437