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.
2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
3 For 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.
4 And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba 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.
6 So 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.
7 And 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.
8 Now 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.
9 For 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.
10 So 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.
11 Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
12 Also 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.
14 And 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.
15 Then 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.
16 And 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.
17 For 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.
18 For 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.
20 And 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.
22 And 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.
23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness.
24 For 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.
25 And 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.
26 So 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.
27 Then 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

1And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Iudah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Ierusalem, to keepe the Passeouer vnto the Lord God of Israel.

2For the king had taken counsell, and his Princes, and all the congregation in Ierusalem, to keepe the Passeouer in the second moneth.

3For they could not keepe it at that time, because the Priests had not sanctified themselues sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselues together to Ierusalem.

4And the thing pleased the king, and all the Congregation.

5So they established a decree, to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba euen to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passeouer vnto the Lord God of Israel at Ierusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort, as it was written.

6So the Postes went with the letters from the King and his Princes, throughout all Israel and Iudah, and according to the commandement of the king, saying; Yee children of Israel, turne againe vnto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, and hee wil returne 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 gaue them vp to desolation, as ye see.

8Now be yee not stiffe-necked as your fathers were, but yeeld your selues vnto the Lord, and enter into his Sanctuarie, which he hath sanctified for euer: and serue the Lord your God, that the fiercenesse of his wrath may turne away from you.

9For if yee turne againe vnto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall finde compassion before them that leade them captiue, so that they shall come againe into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and mercifull, and will not turne away his face from you, if ye returne vnto him.

10So the Posts passed from citie to citie, through the countrey of Ephraim and Manasseh, euen vnto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorne, and mocked them.

11Neuerthelesse, diuers of Asher, and Manasseh, and of Zebulun, humbled themselues, and came to Ierusalem.

12Also in Iudah, the hand of God was to giue them one heart to doe the commandement of the king and of the Princes, by the word of the Lord.

13 And there assembled at Ierusalem much people, to keepe the feast of vnleauened bread in the second moneth, a very great congregation.

14And they arose and tooke away the altars that were in Ierusalem, and all the altars for incense tooke they away, and cast them into the brooke Kidron.

15Then they killed the Passeouer on the fourteenth day of the second moneth: and the Priests and the Leuites were ashamed, and sanctified themselues, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the Lord.

16And they stood in their place after their maner, according to the Law of Moses the man of God: The priests sprinckled the blood, which they receiued of the hand of the Leuites.

17For there were many in the Congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Leuites had the charge of the killing of the Passeouers for euery one that was not cleane, to sanctifie them vnto the Lord.

18For a multitude of the people, euen many of Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselues: yet did they eate the Passeouer otherwise then it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying; The good Lord pardon euery one,

19That prepareth his heart to seeke God, the Lord God of his fathers, though hee be not cleansed according to the purification of the Sanctuary.

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

21And the children of Israel that were present at Ierusalem, kept the feast of vnleauened bread seuen dayes with great gladnesse: and the Leuites and the Priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with lowd instruments vnto the Lord.

22And Hezekiah spake comfortably vnto all the Leuites, that taught the good knowledge of the Lord: and they did eate throughout the feast, seuen dayes, offering peace-offerings, and making confession to the Lord God of their fathers.

23And the whole assembly tooke counsel to keepe other seuen dayes: and they kept other seuen dayes with gladnesse.

24For Hezekiah king of Iudah did giue to the Congregation, a thousand bullockes, and seuen thousand sheep: and the Princes gaue to the Congregation a thousand bullocks, and ten thousand sheepe, and a great number of Priests sanctified themselues.

25And all the Congregation of Iudah, with the Priests and the Leuites, and all the Congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Iudah, reioyced.

26So there was great ioy in Ierusalem: for since the time of Solomon the sonne of Dauid King of Israel, there was not the like in Ierusalem.

27 Then the Priests the Leuites arose, and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came vp to his holy dwelling place, euen vnto heauen.

II == Num 9:10-11

 

 

 

 

 

 

III == Ex 12:6 , 18 ; 2nd Chr 29:34

 

 

 

 

 

VI == 2nd Kings 15:19 , 29 ; Jer 4:1 ; Joel 2:13

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

VII == 2nd Chr 29:8 ; Ezek 20:18

 

VIII == Deut 10:16 ; 1st Chr 29:24 ; 2nd Chr 29:10 ; Ezra 10:19

 

 

 

IX == Ex 34:6 ; Ps 106 ;46 ; Esa 55:7

 

 

 

 

X == 2nd Chr 36:16

 

 

 

XI == 2nd Chr 11:16 ; 30:18 , 21

XII == 2nd chr 29:25 ; Phil 2:13

 

 

 

 

 

XIV == 2nd Chr 28:24

 

XV == 2nd Chr 29:34

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XVII == 2nd Chr 29:34

 

 

 

XVIII == Ex 12:43 ; 2nd Chr 30:11

 

 

 

 

XIX == 2nd Chr 19:3

 

 

 

XXI == Ex 12:15 ; 13:6

 

 

 

 

XXII == Deut 33:10 ; 2nd Chr 17:9 ; 35:3 ; Ezra 10:11

 

 

 

XXIII == 1st Kings 8:65

 

XXIV == 2nd Chr 29:34 ; 35:7-8

 

 

 

 

XXV == 2nd Chr 30:11 , 18

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

XXVII == Num 6:23 ; Ps 68:5

 

 

 

 

1 Hezekiah sent a message to all Israel and Judah, and even wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh saying that they should come to the house of the LORD in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in honor of the LORD, the God of Israel.

2 The king, his princes, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to celebrate the Passover during the second month,

3 for they could not celebrate it at the time of the restoration: the priests had not sanctified themselves in sufficient numbers, and the people were not gathered at Jerusalem.

4 When this proposal had been approved by the king and the entire assembly,

5 they issued a decree to be proclaimed throughout all Israel from Beer-sheba to Dan, that everyone should come to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover in honor of the LORD, the God of Israel; for not many had kept it in the manner prescribed.

6 Accordingly the couriers, with the letters written by the king and his princes, traversed all Israel and Judah, and at the king's command they said: "Israelites, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, that he may return to you, the remnant left from the hands of the Assyrian kings.

7 Be not like your fathers and your brethren who proved faithless to the LORD, the God of their fathers, so that he delivered them over to desolation, as you yourselves now see.

8 Be not obstinate, as your fathers were; extend your hands to the LORD and come to his sanctuary that he has consecrated forever, and serve the LORD, your God, that he may turn away his burning anger from you.

9 For when you return to the LORD, your brethren and your children will find mercy with their captors and return to this land; for merciful and compassionate is the LORD, your God, and he will not turn away his face from you if you return to him."

10 So the couriers passed from city to city in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh and as far as Zebulun, but they were derided and scoffed at.

11 Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.

12 In Judah, however, the power of God brought it about that the people were of one mind to carry out the command of the king and the princes in accordance with the word of the LORD.

13 Thus many people gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month; it was a very great assembly.

14 They proceeded to take down the altars that were in Jerusalem; also they removed all the altars of incense and cast them into the Kidron Valley.

15 They slaughtered the Passover on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites, touched with shame, sanctified themselves and brought holocausts into the house of the LORD.

16 They stood in the places prescribed for them according to the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests sprinkled the blood given them by the Levites;

17 for many in the assembly had not sanctified themselves, and the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover victims for all who were unclean and therefore could not consecrate them to the LORD.

18 The greater part of the people, in fact, chiefly from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves. Nevertheless they ate the Passover, contrary to the prescription; for Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the LORD, who is good, grant pardon to

19 everyone who has resolved to seek God, the LORD, the God of his fathers, though he be not clean as holiness requires."

20 The LORD heard Hezekiah and spared the people.

21 Thus the Israelites who were in Jerusalem celebrated the feast of Unleavened Bread with great rejoicing for seven days, and the Levites and the priests sang the praises of the LORD day after day with all their strength.

22 Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites who had shown themselves well skilled in the service of the LORD. And when they had completed the seven days of festival, slaying peace offerings and singing praises to the LORD, the God of their fathers,

23 the whole assembly agreed to celebrate another seven days. With joy, therefore, they continued the festivity seven days longer.

24 King Hezekiah of Judah had contributed a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep to the assembly, and the princes had contributed to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep. The priests sanctified themselves in great numbers,

25 and the whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, together with the priests and Levites and the rest of the assembly that had come from Israel, as well as the sojourners from the land of Israel and those that lived in Judah.

26 There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel, there had not been the like in the city.

27 Then the levitical priests rose and blessed the people; their voice was heard and their prayer reached heaven, God's holy dwelling.

v 1. The letters were sent to all Israel, but Ephraim and Manasseh are mentioned, perhaps because those people had not yet been carried into captivity.

v 2-5. Hezekiah had opened the doors of the temple on the first day of the first month, but of course it and the priests were not sanctified and ready for a Passover. The people had not yet been notified either. After consultation with the princes and heads of the congregation, it was decided to have it in the second month, as was allowed in Num. 9:10,11. Since the observance had been neglected for so long, they decided to send the proclamation all over Israel.

 

 

v 6-9. In the letters carried by the posts, the king urged those who had not yet been taken captive to turn to the Lord and He would turn to them. They should not be like their fathers but serve the merciful Lord. His fierce wrath would then be turned away and he would permit the captives to return.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

v 10-12. Most of the people did not merely refuse, they laughed them to scorn and mocked them. (I’m reminded of a family I invited to come to our church and Sunday School. As I left down the walk I could hear them laughing and mocking behind me. However when they had family trouble later, they came to me for help.) However, a few from at least four, of the northern tribes came, and Judah came unanimously.

v 13,14. A great number of people assembled at Jerusalem. Hoshea was king of Israel but was not as evil as those before him, 2 Ki. 17:2, so he had not objected to the people coming for the Passover. Hezekiah had been so busy doing positive things, apparently he had not taken time to remove the heathen altars scattered all over the city. All the crowd took them to the dump along Brook Kidron.

v 15-19. The priests and Levites who had not sanctified themselves the first month were ashamed and did so, so they could serve and sprinkle blood of Passover offerings. Ordinarily a man put his hand on the head of his offering, but many of them were ceremonially unclean, so the Levites did that for them. All the people went ahead and ate the Passover even though not cleansed according to the Law. When Hezekiah found out, he prayed for the Lord to pardon every one whose heart was right in seeking Him.

 

 

 

 

 

v 20-22. The Lord not only forgave the people, but healed, that is, gave them health, comfort and peace. This was a wonderful week of “the feast”, with priests and Levites singing with loud instruments (not Christian Rock). Not only did the Levites teach, but the king even spoke encouragingly to them.

 

 

 

v 23--26. Just like some of our old fashioned revival meetings that kept going another week, everyone was enjoying themselves so much they decided to continue their celebration another seven days. Hezekiah was so pleased with this that he gave out of his own expense 1000 bulls and 7000 sheep and goats for the congregation, and the princes, or officials, gave 1000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. Many priests who had not sanctified themselves did so. Everyone was rejoicing in this great celebration, unlike any other since the dedication of Solomon’s temple. As the priests and Levites prayed and blessed the people in holy benediction, the Lord heard and blessed them.
Josiah’s was more organized and  offered more animals. But Hezekiah’s was spontaneous and lasted longer.