Synopsis of the Chapter
The Jews overturn idols, altars, and groves throughout all Judah and in the remaining five tribes of Israel; Hezekiah restores the offices and orders of the temple.
Verse 2: In the Gates of the Camp of the Lord ¶
2. IN THE GATES OF THE CAMP OF THE LORD — that is, in the gates of the temple; for in the temple there were companies of priests and Levites distributed in their orders, like military ranks, so that there seemed to be camps, battle lines, and an army of God, as is evident from Numbers 4 and following, where the Levites are said to go out and come in for the service of the temple. Hence the Church is called "an army set in battle array," Song of Songs 6:9.
Verse 3: The King's Portion ¶
3. AND THE KING'S PORTION WAS — that is to say, King Hezekiah took upon himself these portions and these duties regarding the ministry of the temple: that he himself would supply the expenses for the perpetual sacrifice and other victims, while the people would support the priests and Levites (for their revenues had been scattered and squandered by Ahaz and other impious kings), "so that they might devote themselves to the law of the Lord" — namely, so that freed from the care of procuring food, they might devote themselves entirely to their office and the ministry of the temple.
Verse 6: Tithes of Holy Things ¶
6. AND TITHES OF HOLY THINGS WHICH THEY HAD VOWED TO THE LORD. — The Hebrew says: tithes of holy things (that is, of sacred things) which had been sanctified to God, meaning: they offered tithes of all their goods, which are commanded by law to be "sanctified to God," that is, consecrated and offered, as in Numbers chapter 18, verse 8 and following. Moreover, they offered other tithes not prescribed by law, but which they had of their own accord sanctified to God, that is, "vowed," dedicated, and destined, as our translator renders it. That is to say, in addition to the tithes prescribed by law, they also added out of devotion and generosity others which they had dedicated and vowed to God, Numbers chapter 18, verse 14.
Verse 7: The Foundations of the Heaps ¶
7. THEY BEGAN TO LAY THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE HEAPS — that is, they began to collect the first heaps; for the first things are, as it were, the foundations of those that follow. So Vatablus.
Verse 11: To Prepare Storerooms ¶
11. TO PREPARE STOREROOMS — The Septuagint says: pastophoria, that is, halls or chambers, in which these things might be kept as in storerooms — first fruits, tithes, and other things offered to the temple.
Verse 14: Consecrated to the Holy of Holies ¶
14. CONSECRATED TO THE HOLY OF HOLIES — that is, so that they might be most holy, because you have dedicated them to the temple and to the most holy God; for first fruits were not offered in the Holy of Holies, but before the court of the priests. By a similar expression in verse 6, he called them "tithes of holy things," that is, tithes sanctified to God, that is, consecrated and offered.
Verse 16: Males from Three Years Old and Upward ¶
16. BESIDES THE MALES FROM THREE YEARS OLD AND UPWARD — that is, in addition to the boys of three years, to whom also, as to all others up to the twentieth year, food was provided. That is to say, not only to the older ones who served the temple, but also to three-year-old boys, indeed even to infants lying in cradles; and moreover to women and small girls, the necessities of life were generously supplied by the overseers — so that the priests and Levites would not be distracted by the care of feeding them, but might devote themselves entirely to God and the temple. So great was the abundance of things offered, so great the generosity of the people in offering, and so great the providence, piety, and devotion of King Hezekiah.
Verse 19: Throughout the Fields ¶
19. THROUGHOUT THE FIELDS — that is to say, just as Hezekiah provided for the Levites residing in Jerusalem, so also he provided provisions for those who were dispersed outside Jerusalem throughout the fields and other cities.