Chapter XXXI.
1 (compare 2 Kings xviii. 4).
Destruction of Idolatrous Symbols.
¹Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake in pieces the pillars[¹], and hewed down the Asherim, and brake down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
[¹] Or, obelisks.
1. the pillars ... the Asherim] Compare xiv. 3 (note).
in Ephraim also] It is obviously assumed that the Northern Kingdom had come to an end; compare xxx. 6, 9.
2–21 (not in 2 Kings).
Organisation of the Priests. Tithe.
If the Temple had been desecrated and closed by Ahaz, it would follow that the organisation of its Priests and Levites had fallen into confusion. The Chronicler therefore makes Hezekiah the restorer of the system inaugurated by David, and treats this edifying topic at some length.
²And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the camp of the Lord.