2 Chronicles 30

King James Version

Full text for 2 Chronicles Chapter 30

1¶ And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.

2For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.

3For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.

4And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.

5So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done [it] of a long [time in such sort] as it was written.

6So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.

7And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, [who] therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see.

8Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

9For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him.

10So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.

11Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.

12Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.

13¶ And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.

14And they arose and took away the altars that [were] in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast [them] into the brook Kidron.

15Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.

16And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, [which they received] of the hand of the Levites.

17For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one [that was] not clean, to sanctify [them] unto the LORD.

18For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one

19[That] prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though [he be] not [cleansed] according to the purification of the sanctuary.

20And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.

21¶ And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, [singing] with loud instruments unto the LORD.

22And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.

23And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept [other] seven days with gladness.

24For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

25And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.

26So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel [there was] not the like in Jerusalem.

27Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

King Hezekiah initiated a nationwide celebration of the Passover in the second month, as it had been neglected and the people were unprepared in the first. Messengers were sent throughout Israel and Judah, urging repentance and a return to the Lord. Despite some mockery, many from the northern tribes joined Judah in Jerusalem, where altars were removed, and the feast was kept with great joy, even extended for an additional seven days.

Medium Summary

King Hezekiah, in counsel with his princes and the congregation, decreed that the Passover be celebrated in the second month, as the priests were unsanctified and the people ungathered for the usual time. Letters were dispatched throughout all Israel and Judah, calling for a return to the Lord, promising His mercy and restoration. While many in the northern tribes mocked the invitation, some humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. There, the people cleansed the city by removing idolatrous altars. The Passover was observed, and though many were ritually unclean, King Hezekiah interceded for them, and the Lord heard his prayer. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was then kept for seven days with great gladness, and the assembly decided to extend the celebration for another seven days, marked by abundant offerings and unparalleled joy since the days of Solomon.

Long Summary

King Hezekiah, after consulting with his officials and the assembly in Jerusalem, resolved to celebrate the Passover in the second month, as the priests had not sufficiently sanctified themselves and the people were not gathered for its proper time. A decree was issued, and messengers were sent throughout all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, with letters urging the children of Israel to turn back to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, promising divine compassion and restoration if they repented and were not stiffnecked like their fathers. Although many in Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulun scorned the messengers, a remnant from these tribes, along with Asher, humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. In Judah, the hand of God united the people to obey the king's commandment. A very large congregation assembled, and they diligently removed all idolatrous altars from Jerusalem, casting them into the brook Kidron. The Passover was then observed, and the priests and Levites, having sanctified themselves, performed their duties. Recognizing that many from the northern tribes were not ritually clean, the Levites assisted in the sacrifices. King Hezekiah, seeing that many had prepared their hearts to seek God despite their uncleanness, prayed for them, and the Lord graciously heard him and healed the people. The Feast of Unleavened Bread was kept for seven days with immense gladness, and the Levites and priests praised the Lord daily. The assembly then collectively decided to extend the feast for another seven days, during which Hezekiah and his princes provided numerous bullocks and sheep for offerings. This period was marked by great joy, which had not been seen in Jerusalem since the reign of Solomon, signifying a profound spiritual revival and unity among the people. The priests and Levites concluded the celebration by blessing the people, their prayers ascending to heaven.

Core Concepts

  • Passover RevivalKing Hezekiah initiated a nationwide celebration of the Passover, which had been neglected for a long time, demonstrating his commitment to restoring proper worship according to the Law.
  • National InvitationLetters were sent throughout all Israel, including the northern tribes, inviting them to return to the Lord and participate in the Passover, signifying a desire for spiritual reunification.
  • Repentance and ReturnThe king's message urged the people to turn from the sins of their fathers, promising God's mercy and the restoration of those who had been taken captive if they humbled themselves.
  • Cleansing and SanctificationBefore the feast, the people removed idolatrous altars from Jerusalem, and the priests and Levites sanctified themselves, preparing the city and themselves for holy worship.
  • Hezekiah's IntercessionWhen many from the northern tribes were found to be ritually unclean yet desired to seek God, King Hezekiah prayed for them, and the Lord, being gracious, heard his prayer and healed the people.
  • Extended CelebrationThe assembly, filled with gladness, decided to extend the Feast of Unleavened Bread for an additional seven days, highlighting the profound joy and spiritual renewal experienced.
  • Unprecedented JoyThe chapter concludes by noting that the joy in Jerusalem during this celebration was unparalleled since the days of King Solomon, indicating a significant spiritual milestone for the nation.