Abijah] In 2 Kings “Abi” which is probably only a shortened form of the name.
3–11 (not in 2 Kings).
Hezekiah commands to Cleanse the Temple.
³He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them.
3. in the first month] i.e. in Nisan; compare xxx. 2, 3.
opened the doors] The reopening was a necessary sequel to the Chronicler’s assertion (xxviii. 24) that Ahaz closed the Temple. If therefore the supposed closing was unhistorical (see note, xxviii. 24) the reopening must be equally so. The notion, however, served the Chronicler admirably, enabling him to enhance the piety of Hezekiah by a full description of the restoration of the Temple services.
⁴And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the broad place on the east,
4. into the broad place on the east] The place meant was part of the Temple area, the space before the water-gate; compare Ezra x. 9, “the broad place before the house of God” (Revised Version).
⁵and said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites; now sanctify yourselves, and sanctify the house of the Lord, the God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place.
5. now sanctify yourselves] Compare Exodus xix. 10–15.
⁶For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the sight of the Lord our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the Lord, and turned their backs.