1Now when the festival had ended, those from Israel who were there went throughout the cities of Judah, and smashed the pagan images to pieces, cut down the idols, and destroyed the high places and the pagan altars of all Judah and Benjamin, as well as in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then the Israelites returned to their own towns and homes. 2And Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions – each man according to his duties, the priests, and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise at the gates of the Temple of the LORD. 3Hezekiah contributed a portion of his own possessions for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the set festivals, as written in the law of the LORD. 4Moreover, he ordered the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion that was due the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 5And as soon as the order spread, the Israelites brought in an abundance the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things. 6And the people of Israel and Judah, who lived in the towns of Judah, also brought a tithe of oxen, sheep, and of things which were consecrated unto the LORD, their God, and piled them in heaps. 7They began this in the third month, and finished in the seventh month. 8And when Hezekiah and the leaders came and saw the accumulation, they blessed the LORD, and His people Israel. 9Then Hezekiah asked the priests and the Levites about the heaps. 10And Azariah, the chief priest of the shrine of Zadok, answered, “Since the people began to bring the offerings into the Temple of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and plenty left over; for the LORD has blessed His people; and what was left is this great store.” 11Then Hezekiah told them to prepare storerooms in the Temple of the LORD; and they did so, 12And they faithfully brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things; and Conaniah, the Levite, was in charge, assisted by Shimei, his brother. 13And Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under Conaniah and Shimei, his brother, as ordered by Hezekiah, and Azariah, the ruler of the Temple of God. 14And Kore, son of Imnah the Levite, the porter of the East Gate, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things. 15And under him were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their assigned offices, to distribute to their brethren by courses to the old, as well as to the young; 16They distributed the gifts to all males three years old or older, regardless of whose names appeared in the genealogical records - all who would enter Temple of the LORD to perform their daily duties according to their divisions. 17And they distributed to the priests enrolled by their families in the genealogical records and likewise to the Levites twenty years old or older, according to their responsibilities and their divisions. 18Food allotments were also given to the families of all those listed in the genealogical records, including little ones, wives, sons, and daughters. For they had all been faithful in purifying themselves. 19As for of the progeny of Aaron, the priests, who lived in the fields and the pasture lands of their cities, in other cities, men were designated by name, to distribute portions to all the males among the priests, and to all who were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites. 20And this is how Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the LORD, his God. 21He undertook with all his heart all that was for the service of the Temple of God, to be in obedience to the law and commandments, and to seek his God. As a result, he prospered. Reader-Friendly Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2024 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |