2 Chronicles 31 Study Notes: Hezekiah Restores Offerings and Tithes
After the Passover the people destroy idol shrines across the land, and Hezekiah reorganizes the temple servants and funds the regular offerings. Tithes pile up in heaps the chief priest credits to God’s blessing, storerooms are prepared for faithful distribution, and Hezekiah seeks God wholeheartedly and prospers.
General
When Hezekiah asked about the heaps, how did the chief priest, Azariah, explain the great abundance (2 Chronicles 31:8-10)?
Answer: The LORD’s blessing on His people had left far more than enough
When the king and his officials saw the heaps, they praised the LORD and blessed His people (31:8). Hezekiah asked the temple servants about them, and the chief priest, Azariah from the family of Zadok, explained that ever since the gifts started coming in, the priests had eaten their fill with much to spare, because the LORD had blessed His people; the heaps were what remained (31:9-10). Both the king and the priest gave the credit to God. David had said the same when the people gave for the temple: everything comes from God, and His people only give back what He first gave (1 Chronicles 29:14). Every good gift is sent by the Father above (James 1:17).
- 2 Chronicles 31:8 (BSB)“When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel.”Hezekiah and his officials see the heaps and bless the LORD and His people.
- 2 Chronicles 31:10 (BSB)“and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.””Azariah explains that the abundance is left over because the LORD has blessed His people.
- 1 Chronicles 29:14 (BSB)“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.”David confessed that everything comes from God and His people give back from His own hand.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above.
Theological
To what does the chief priest Azariah attribute the surplus of contributions (2 Chronicles 31:8-10)?
Answer: The LORD’s blessing on His people had left far more than enough
On viewing the heaps, the king and his officials bless God and His people (31:8). Azariah, chief priest of Zadok’s line, answers that since the contributions began the priests have eaten to the full with a large surplus, owing to God’s blessing on His people (31:9-10). The abundance is traced to God’s blessing, not to human effort; as David confessed, all things come from God, and His people give Him only what is already His (1 Chronicles 29:14), for every good gift is sent by the Father above (James 1:17).
- 2 Chronicles 31:8 (BSB)“When Hezekiah and his officials came and viewed the heaps, they blessed the LORD and His people Israel.”Hezekiah and his officials see the heaps and bless the LORD and His people.
- 2 Chronicles 31:10 (BSB)“and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, “Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over.””Azariah explains that the abundance is left over because the LORD has blessed His people.
- 1 Chronicles 29:14 (BSB)“But who am I, and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? For everything comes from You, and from Your own hand we have given to You.”David confessed that everything comes from God and His people give back from His own hand.
- James 1:17 (BSB)“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, with whom there is no change or shifting shadow.”Every good and perfect gift comes down from the Father above.
General
True or False: Hezekiah had storerooms prepared in the LORD’s house, and the gifts were faithfully shared out to the temple servants by their divisions, young and old alike (2 Chronicles 31:11-19).
Answer: True
This is true. Hezekiah ordered storerooms prepared in the LORD’s house, and the people faithfully brought in their gifts, tithes and offerings (31:11-12). Levite officers, appointed by the king and the head official over God’s house, oversaw the stores and gave out shares to the priests in the various towns, division by division, to young and old the same, and to the families enrolled in the records, because they had faithfully kept themselves holy (31:12-19). Faithfulness marks the whole account (31:12, 15, 18). Paul says this quality is required of anyone entrusted with something: they must be found faithful (1 Corinthians 4:2). Jesus spoke of the reliable, sensible manager put in charge of the household servants to hand out their portions at the right time (Luke 12:42), and Nehemiah later chose trustworthy men to give out the stores to the other Levites (Nehemiah 13:13).
- 2 Chronicles 31:11-12 (BSB)“Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare storerooms in the house of the LORD, and they did so. And they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.”Storerooms are prepared and the contributions are faithfully brought in.
- 2 Chronicles 31:15 (BSB)“Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.”Appointed men faithfully distribute portions to their fellow priests by divisions, old and young alike.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (BSB)“Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”Those entrusted with something must be found faithful.
- Luke 12:42 (BSB)“And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?”Jesus describes the faithful manager who gives out portions at the right time.
- Nehemiah 13:13 (BSB)“I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.”Nehemiah appointed trustworthy men to distribute the supplies to their fellow Levites.
Theological
True or False: Storerooms were prepared in the temple, and the contributions were faithfully distributed to the temple servants by divisions, without regard to age (2 Chronicles 31:11-19).
Answer: True
This is true. Storerooms were prepared in the temple and the gifts, tithes and consecrated things were brought in faithfully (31:11-12). Appointed Levitical officers managed them and distributed shares to the priests in their towns division by division, regardless of age, and to all enrolled in the genealogies with their households, who had kept themselves holy in faithfulness (31:12-19). Faithfulness is the keynote of the passage and the requirement of every steward (1 Corinthians 4:2), pictured in Jesus’ reliable, sensible manager who hands out the servants’ portions at the right time (Luke 12:42) and in the trustworthy treasurers of Nehemiah’s day (Nehemiah 13:13).
- 2 Chronicles 31:11-12 (BSB)“Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare storerooms in the house of the LORD, and they did so. And they faithfully brought in the contributions, tithes, and dedicated gifts. Conaniah the Levite was the officer in charge of them, and his brother Shimei was second.”Storerooms are prepared and the contributions are faithfully brought in.
- 2 Chronicles 31:15 (BSB)“Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah faithfully distributed portions to their fellow priests in their cities, according to their divisions, old and young alike.”Appointed men faithfully distribute portions to their fellow priests by divisions, old and young alike.
- 1 Corinthians 4:2 (BSB)“Now it is required of stewards that they be found faithful.”Those entrusted with something must be found faithful.
- Luke 12:42 (BSB)“And the Lord answered, “Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom the master puts in charge of his servants to give them their portion at the proper time?”Jesus describes the faithful manager who gives out portions at the right time.
- Nehemiah 13:13 (BSB)“I appointed as treasurers over the storerooms Shelemiah the priest, Zadok the scribe, and Pedaiah of the Levites, with Hanan son of Zaccur, the son of Mattaniah, to assist them, because they were considered trustworthy. They were responsible for distributing the supplies to their fellow Levites.”Nehemiah appointed trustworthy men to distribute the supplies to their fellow Levites.
General
True or False: The people responded slowly and unwillingly, so Hezekiah had to send officials to collect the tithes by force (2 Chronicles 31:5-7).
Answer: False
This is false. As soon as Hezekiah’s command was issued, the Israelites gave generously: the firstfruits (the first and best part of the harvest) of grain, wine, oil, honey and every crop, and a tenth of everything in abundance (31:5). Those living in Judah’s towns brought a tenth of their cattle and sheep and of the holy gifts set apart for God, and piled them up in great heaps, which kept growing from the third month to the seventh (31:6-7). The law had told Israel to bring its choicest firstfruits to the LORD’s house (Exodus 23:19) and counted a tenth of the land’s produce as holy to Him (Leviticus 27:30). The overflowing response recalls the days when Israel gave so much for the tabernacle that the people had to be told to stop (Exodus 36:5-7).
- 2 Chronicles 31:5-7 (BSB)“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps. In the third month they began building up the heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.”The people bring firstfruits and tithes in abundance and pile them in heaps over several months.
- Exodus 23:19 (BSB)“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”The law told Israel to bring the best of the firstfruits to the house of the LORD.
- Leviticus 27:30 (BSB)“Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”A tithe of the land’s produce was holy to the LORD.
- Exodus 36:5-7 (BSB)“and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.” After Moses had given an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing more, since what they already had was more than enough to perform all the work.”Israel once gave for the tabernacle so freely that the people had to be restrained.
Theological
True or False: The people’s response to Hezekiah’s order was reluctant, and the tithes had to be gathered under compulsion (2 Chronicles 31:5-7).
Answer: False
This is false. The response was immediate and generous: firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey and every crop, and a tenth of all of it in abundance (31:5), with the towns of Judah adding tithes of cattle and sheep and of the consecrated things, laid up in heaps from the third month to the seventh (31:6-7). The people were doing what the law prescribed, bringing the choicest firstfruits to the LORD’s house (Exodus 23:19) and the tithe that was set apart as His (Leviticus 27:30). Their willingness recalls the wilderness generation’s giving for the tabernacle, so abundant that it had to be restrained (Exodus 36:5-7).
- 2 Chronicles 31:5-7 (BSB)“As soon as the order went out, the Israelites generously provided the firstfruits of the grain, new wine, oil, and honey, and of all the produce of the field, and they brought in an abundance—a tithe of everything. And the Israelites and Judahites who lived in the cities of Judah also brought a tithe of their herds and flocks and a tithe of the holy things consecrated to the LORD their God, and they laid them in large heaps. In the third month they began building up the heaps, and they finished in the seventh month.”The people bring firstfruits and tithes in abundance and pile them in heaps over several months.
- Exodus 23:19 (BSB)“Bring the best of the firstfruits of your soil to the house of the LORD your God. You must not cook a young goat in its mother’s milk.”The law told Israel to bring the best of the firstfruits to the house of the LORD.
- Leviticus 27:30 (BSB)“Thus any tithe from the land, whether from the seed of the land or the fruit of the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD.”A tithe of the land’s produce was holy to the LORD.
- Exodus 36:5-7 (BSB)“and said to Moses, “The people are bringing more than enough for doing the work the LORD has commanded us to do.” After Moses had given an order, they sent a proclamation throughout the camp: “No man or woman should make anything else as an offering for the sanctuary.” So the people were restrained from bringing more, since what they already had was more than enough to perform all the work.”Israel once gave for the tabernacle so freely that the people had to be restrained.
General
How does the chapter sum up Hezekiah’s work in Judah and its result (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)?
Answer: He sought God with his whole heart in all of it, and he prospered
The chapter ends with a verdict on everything Hezekiah did in Judah: it was good, right and true in the sight of his God (31:20). In every work he began, whether for the service of God’s house or in keeping the law and commandments, he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly, and he prospered (31:21). Chronicles often shows God giving success to a king while he seeks Him; Uzziah, for example, succeeded while he kept seeking God (26:5), and the prophet Azariah had told Asa that the LORD stays with those who stay with Him (15:2). That success was God’s blessing on Hezekiah’s reign and reforms, not freedom from hardship: the very next verse tells how, after all this faithfulness, the king of Assyria invaded Judah (32:1).
- 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (BSB)“So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God. He acted with all his heart in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered.”Hezekiah does what is good, right and true, seeks his God wholeheartedly, and prospers.
- 2 Chronicles 26:5 (BSB)“He sought God throughout the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.”Uzziah was given success as long as he sought the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah told Asa that the LORD is with those who are with Him and is found by those who seek Him.
- 2 Chronicles 32:1 (BSB)“After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.”Right after these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib invades Judah.
Theological
What closing assessment does the chapter give of Hezekiah’s reforms and their outcome (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)?
Answer: He sought God with his whole heart in all of it, and he prospered
The chapter closes with a comprehensive verdict: Hezekiah acted in a way that was good, right and true in God’s sight (31:20), and every work he undertook, for God’s house and in obedience to the law and commandments, he did wholeheartedly as a seeker of his God, and he prospered (31:21). This fits the book’s pattern of God granting success to kings who seek Him (26:5) and the prophetic word that the LORD stays with those who stay with Him (15:2). The prosperity is God’s favor on a faithful king’s reign, not immunity from trial, for immediately after all this faithfulness Sennacherib invades Judah (32:1).
- 2 Chronicles 31:20-21 (BSB)“So this is what Hezekiah did throughout Judah. He did what was good and upright and true before the LORD his God. He acted with all his heart in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law and the commandments, in order to seek his God. And so he prospered.”Hezekiah does what is good, right and true, seeks his God wholeheartedly, and prospers.
- 2 Chronicles 26:5 (BSB)“He sought God throughout the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. And as long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.”Uzziah was given success as long as he sought the LORD.
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 (BSB)“So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.”Azariah told Asa that the LORD is with those who are with Him and is found by those who seek Him.
- 2 Chronicles 32:1 (BSB)“After all these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib king of Assyria came and invaded Judah. He laid siege to the fortified cities, intending to conquer them for himself.”Right after these acts of faithfulness, Sennacherib invades Judah.
General
After restoring the temple divisions, what did Hezekiah supply out of his own wealth (2 Chronicles 31:2-3)?
Answer: Supply for the daily, Sabbath and festival burnt offerings
Hezekiah set the priests and Levites back in their divisions (their assigned groups and duties) for offerings, ministry, thanksgiving and praise (31:2). Then he gave from his own property toward the burnt offerings: the regular ones every morning and evening, and those for each Sabbath, New Moon (the first day of each month) and appointed feast, just as the law required (31:3). The law of Moses had required a daily burnt offering every morning and evening (Numbers 28:3-4). The king led by example, as David had once given his own treasure for God’s house (1 Chronicles 29:3); in David’s day the people rejoiced to see their leaders give so willingly (1 Chronicles 29:9).
- 2 Chronicles 31:2-3 (BSB)“Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD.”Hezekiah restores the divisions and provides from his own possessions for the burnt offerings.
- Numbers 28:3-4 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,”The law prescribed a regular burnt offering each morning and evening.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 (BSB)“Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:”David gave his personal treasure for the house of God.
- 1 Chronicles 29:9 (BSB)“And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.”The people rejoiced when their leaders gave willingly and wholeheartedly.
Theological
What personal contribution did Hezekiah make toward the restored temple worship (2 Chronicles 31:2-3)?
Answer: Supply for the daily, Sabbath and festival burnt offerings
Having reestablished the priestly and Levitical divisions for sacrifice, ministry, thanksgiving and praise (31:2), Hezekiah underwrites from his personal wealth the daily burnt offerings and those of each Sabbath, New Moon and festival, according to the Law (31:3), the continual offering prescribed in Numbers 28:3-4. Like David, who gave his personal treasure for God’s house (1 Chronicles 29:3), the king leads by example; in David’s day the people were glad at their leaders’ willing, wholehearted giving (1 Chronicles 29:9).
- 2 Chronicles 31:2-3 (BSB)“Hezekiah reestablished the divisions of the priests and Levites—each of them according to their duties as priests or Levites—for the burnt offerings and peace offerings, for ministry, for giving thanks, and for singing praises at the gates of the LORD’s dwelling. The king contributed from his own possessions for the regular morning and evening burnt offerings and for the burnt offerings on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts, as written in the Law of the LORD.”Hezekiah restores the divisions and provides from his own possessions for the burnt offerings.
- Numbers 28:3-4 (BSB)“And tell them that this is the food offering you are to present to the LORD as a regular burnt offering each day: two unblemished year-old male lambs. Offer one lamb in the morning and the other at twilight,”The law prescribed a regular burnt offering each morning and evening.
- 1 Chronicles 29:3 (BSB)“Moreover, because of my delight in the house of my God, I now give for it my personal treasures of gold and silver, over and above all that I have provided for this holy temple:”David gave his personal treasure for the house of God.
- 1 Chronicles 29:9 (BSB)“And the people rejoiced at the willing response of their leaders, for they had given to the LORD freely and wholeheartedly. And King David also rejoiced greatly.”The people rejoiced when their leaders gave willingly and wholeheartedly.
General
Why did Hezekiah tell the residents of Jerusalem to give a portion to the priests and Levites (2 Chronicles 31:4)?
Answer: So they could give themselves fully to the LORD’s law
Hezekiah ordered the people of Jerusalem to support the temple’s priests and Levites, freeing these servants to give their full attention to God’s law (31:4). Under the law of Moses the Levites received no tribal land; God had given them Israel’s tithes as their inheritance in exchange for their service (Numbers 18:21), and Israel was told not to neglect them (Deuteronomy 12:19). Generations later Nehemiah found that when their portions were not given, the Levites had to leave their service and go back to working their fields (Nehemiah 13:10). Hezekiah’s order left them free to give themselves to the LORD’s law.
- 2 Chronicles 31:4 (BSB)“Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.”Hezekiah orders a contribution so the priests and Levites can devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.”God gave the Levites Israel’s tithes in return for their service at the Tent of Meeting.
- Deuteronomy 12:19 (BSB)“and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.”Israel was told not to neglect the Levites.
- Nehemiah 13:10 (BSB)“I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.”When the Levites’ portions were not given, they left their service to work their fields.
Theological
What purpose does the text give for the contribution Hezekiah ordered (2 Chronicles 31:4)?
Answer: So they could give themselves fully to the LORD’s law
The stated purpose of the contribution is that the priests and Levites might be wholly occupied with God’s law (31:4). The law of Moses assigned Israel’s tithes to the Levites as their inheritance in exchange for their service (Numbers 18:21) and warned Israel not to neglect them (Deuteronomy 12:19). Nehemiah 13:10 shows the consequence of the opposite: when the portions lapsed, the Levites abandoned their service for their fields. Hezekiah’s measure left them free to give themselves to God’s law.
- 2 Chronicles 31:4 (BSB)“Moreover, he commanded the people living in Jerusalem to make a contribution for the priests and Levites so that they could devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.”Hezekiah orders a contribution so the priests and Levites can devote themselves to the Law of the LORD.
- Numbers 18:21 (BSB)“Behold, I have given to the Levites all the tithes in Israel as an inheritance in return for the work they do, the service of the Tent of Meeting.”God gave the Levites Israel’s tithes in return for their service at the Tent of Meeting.
- Deuteronomy 12:19 (BSB)“and be careful not to neglect the Levites as long as you live in your land.”Israel was told not to neglect the Levites.
- Nehemiah 13:10 (BSB)“I also learned that because the portions for the Levites had not been given to them, all the Levites and singers responsible for performing the service had gone back to their own fields.”When the Levites’ portions were not given, they left their service to work their fields.
General
What did the Israelites who had attended the Passover do once the celebration was over (2 Chronicles 31:1)?
Answer: They went out and wrecked idol shrines across Judah and the north
When the feast was over, the Israelites who had been there went out through the towns and smashed the sacred pillars (standing stones used in idol worship), felled the Asherah poles (wooden poles honoring the goddess Asherah), and tore apart the high places (local hilltop worship sites) and the altars. They did this not only in Judah and Benjamin but in Manasseh and Ephraim too, and only then went home (31:1). This was what the law of Moses had commanded Israel to do with places of false worship (Deuteronomy 7:5). The parallel account in Kings also credits Hezekiah with doing away with the high places, the pillars and the Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4). True worship of God and loyalty to idols cannot stand side by side (1 John 5:21).
- 2 Chronicles 31:1 (BSB)“When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.”After the feast the Israelites destroy the pillars, Asherah poles, high places and altars across the land.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (BSB)“Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.”The law commanded Israel to tear down altars, smash pillars and cut down Asherah poles.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (BSB)“He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.”The account in Kings also records Hezekiah’s removal of the high places, pillars and Asherah poles.
- 1 John 5:21 (BSB)“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”The New Testament likewise calls God’s people to keep away from idols.
Theological
What did the Israelites who had attended the feast do when it ended, before going home (2 Chronicles 31:1)?
Answer: They went out and wrecked idol shrines across Judah and the north
Renewed worship issued in reformation: the worshipers smashed the sacred pillars, felled every Asherah pole, and demolished every high place and idol altar in Judah, Benjamin, Manasseh and Ephraim until none remained, before returning to their own property (31:1). They were carrying out the Mosaic command to destroy the apparatus of idolatry (Deuteronomy 7:5), and the parallel account in Kings likewise credits Hezekiah with removing the high places, pillars and Asherah poles (2 Kings 18:4). Exclusive devotion to the LORD requires putting away idols (1 John 5:21).
- 2 Chronicles 31:1 (BSB)“When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance went out to the cities of Judah and broke up the sacred pillars, chopped down the Asherah poles, and tore down the high places and altars throughout Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the Israelites returned to their cities, each to his own property.”After the feast the Israelites destroy the pillars, Asherah poles, high places and altars across the land.
- Deuteronomy 7:5 (BSB)“Instead, this is what you are to do to them: tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, cut down their Asherah poles, and burn their idols in the fire.”The law commanded Israel to tear down altars, smash pillars and cut down Asherah poles.
- 2 Kings 18:4 (BSB)“He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars, and cut down the Asherah poles. He also demolished the bronze snake called Nehushtan that Moses had made, for up to that time the Israelites had burned incense to it.”The account in Kings also records Hezekiah’s removal of the high places, pillars and Asherah poles.
- 1 John 5:21 (BSB)“Little children, keep yourselves from idols.”The New Testament likewise calls God’s people to keep away from idols.