What is the tithe in this chapter?
It is the tenth part of the produce of the field and the flock, which under the law of Moses went to support the Levites and the worship. The Chronicler presents the people as bringing it generously and faithfully.
2 Chronicles · chapter 31 of 36
2 Chronicles 31: Summary, Key Verses and Study Questions
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What happens in 2 Chronicles 31?
2 Chronicles 31 tells how, after the Passover, the people destroy the idolatrous pillars and altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh. Hezekiah organizes the divisions of priests and Levites and commands the people to give the portion due them. The offerings come in such abundance that storerooms must be prepared in the temple, and the Chronicler concludes that Hezekiah worked with all his heart and prospered.
The Passover of chapter 30 filled Jerusalem with joy; now that joy turns into practical obedience. Chapter 31 completes Hezekiah's reform with two actions: clearing the land of idols and supporting those who serve in the house of the Lord. It is a reminder that true revival shows in daily life, even in money.
2 Chronicles 31 summary
When the feast is over, all the Israelites who were present go out to the cities of Judah, break the pillars, cut down the Asherah poles and tear down the high places and altars throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim and Manasseh, until they have destroyed them.
Hezekiah restores the divisions of the priests and Levites, each according to his service: burnt offerings, peace offerings, ministering, giving thanks and praise at the gates of the camp of the Lord. The king contributes from his own goods what is needed for the morning and evening burnt offerings, the Sabbaths, the new moons and the feasts, as written in the law of the Lord. He commands the people of Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and Levites, so that they may devote themselves to the law of the Lord.
As soon as the order spreads, the Israelites bring in abundance the firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey and all the produce of the field, and the tithe of everything. The people of the cities of Judah also bring the tithe of cattle and of dedicated things. They begin piling it up in the third month and finish in the seventh. When Hezekiah and the officials see the heaps, they bless the Lord and his people. The king asks the priests and Levites about them, and the chief priest Azariah answers that since the offerings began to be brought they have eaten their fill and have plenty left, because the Lord has blessed his people.
Hezekiah orders storerooms prepared in the house of the Lord to keep it all. Conaniah the Levite is the chief officer, with his brother Shimei second. Kore, keeper of the east gate, is over the freewill offerings. The portion is distributed faithfully to the priests and Levites by divisions, great and small alike. Hezekiah does what is good, right and true before the Lord, and in every work he begins, seeking his God, he works with all his heart and prospers.
Chapter outline
- vv. 1-3: The people destroy the idols and Hezekiah organizes the divisions and the king's offerings.
- vv. 4-10: Judah brings firstfruits and tithes in abundance, and Azariah confirms the blessing.
- vv. 11-19: Storerooms are prepared and the portion is distributed to priests and Levites.
- vv. 20-21: Hezekiah works with all his heart and prospers.
Key verses in 2 Chronicles 31
References follow ESV book names and verse numbers. Read each verse in your Bible before the explanation.
2 Chronicles 31:1
After the Passover, all the Israelites present go out to destroy the pillars, Asherah poles, high places and altars. True worship leads to removing whatever competes with it.
2 Chronicles 31:4
Hezekiah commands the people to give the portion to the priests and Levites so that they may devote themselves to the law of the Lord. Supporting those who serve in teaching and worship is part of the people's faithfulness.
2 Chronicles 31:10
The chief priest Azariah says that since the offerings began they have eaten their fill and have plenty left, because the Lord blessed his people. The people's generosity is answered by God's provision.
2 Chronicles 31:21
Everything Hezekiah began in the service of the house of God, in the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered. It sums up his reform: wholehearted obedience, not half-hearted.
Main themes
- Removing the idols
- Supporting those who serve
- Generosity and blessing
- Order in worship
- Working with all one's heart
People and places
- Hezekiah
- Azariah the chief priest
- Conaniah
- Shimei
- Kore son of Imnah
- Priests and Levites
2 Chronicles 31 study questions and answers
6 questions with answers and references, ready for Sunday school, small group or a Bible quiz night.
1. What did the Israelites present do when the Passover was over?
Answer: They went out to the cities of Judah and destroyed the pillars, Asherah poles, high places and altars. — 2 Chronicles 31:1
2. Why did Hezekiah command that the priests and Levites be given their portion?
Answer: So that they could devote themselves to the law of the Lord. — 2 Chronicles 31:4
3. What did the Israelites bring in abundance?
Answer: Firstfruits of grain, wine, oil, honey and all the produce of the field, and the tithe of everything. — 2 Chronicles 31:5
4. How did Hezekiah react when he saw the heaps of offerings?
Answer: He blessed the Lord and his people. — 2 Chronicles 31:8
5. What did the chief priest Azariah say about the offerings?
Answer: That they had eaten their fill and had plenty left, because the Lord had blessed his people. — 2 Chronicles 31:10
6. Who was the chief officer over the contributions kept in the storerooms?
Answer: Conaniah the Levite, with his brother Shimei second. — 2 Chronicles 31:12
Application for today
The chapter shows a conversion that reaches the wallet. When the people return to the Lord, they also return to supporting those who serve. A group can reflect calmly on how our church cares for its pastors, teachers and workers, and how each person responds with generosity according to his means, without pressure or manipulation.
The chapter also joins removing and building. The people tore down the idols and, at the same time, organized the service and the offerings. A spiritual renewal needs both. You can ask which small idols need to be set aside and which habits of generosity, service and order we should build in their place.
2 Chronicles 31 closes Hezekiah's reform with a generous people, an orderly worship and a king who seeks God with all his heart. But faith will be tested: in chapter 32 the invasion of Sennacherib, king of Assyria, will come, and Hezekiah will have to trust the Lord against the greatest threat of his reign.
Frequently asked questions about 2 Chronicles 31
Why did the priests and Levites have to receive a portion?
Because the Levites had no land inheritance like the other tribes, and their work in the temple and in teaching the law required full-time dedication. The people supported them with their offerings.
What does it mean that Hezekiah worked with all his heart?
That his reform was not merely political or formal but a sincere surrender to the Lord. The Chronicler often repeats this when describing faithful kings: seeking God with all the heart.