18, 19. The good Lord pardon every one that, etc.] In Hebrew verse 18 ends abruptly with the word “pardon.” Probably the Revised Version is correct in disregarding the Hebrew division. The phrase “the good Lord” is not found elsewhere, and another suggestion is to transpose the adjective and read (verse 18) ... “The Lord pardon the good: (verse 19) even every one that,” etc. The LXX., however, supports the order of the Hebrew text.
²⁰And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
20. healed the people] By prevention; no plague was allowed to break out among them, although uncleanness in the sanctuary had been threatened with death; Leviticus xv. 31.
²¹And 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.
21. with loud instruments] Literally “with instruments of strength.” It is better to read “with all their might” (as 1 Chronicles xiii. 8). The change in Hebrew amounts only to the dropping of the smallest letter (yōd).
²²And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that were well skilled in the service of the Lord. So they did eat throughout the feast for the seven days, offering sacrifices of peace offerings, and making confession[¹] to the Lord, the God of their fathers.
[¹] Or, giving thanks.
22. spake comfortably] i.e. with kindly and appreciative words. For the phrase compare Isaiah xl. 2.
making confession] Or, as margin, “giving thanks.”
²³And the whole congregation took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.