1 When all this was over, all the Israel
ites who were there set off for the towns of Judah to smash the pillar, cut
down the sacred trunks and wreck the High places and the altars. So they did
throughout Judah, Benjamin, Eph raim, and Manasseh and did away with them.
Then all the Israelites returned to their towns, each man to his home.
2 Hezekiah reestablished the priestly and levitical orders, each man in his
proper order according to his duties, whether priest or Levite, whether for
burnt offering, peace offering, liturgical service, thanksgiving or praise,
within the gates of the camp of Yahweh.
3 The king set aside a portion of his own possessions for the morning and
evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings of sabbath, New Moon, and
solemn feast, as laid down in the Law of Yahweh.
4 He then told the people of Jerusalem to give the priests and the Levites
their share so that they might devote themselves to the Law of Yahweh.
5 As soon as the order had been published, the Israelites gathered in the
first fruits of corn, wine, oil, honey, and all agricultural produce, and
brought in a generous gift of everything.
6 The Is raelites and Judaeans living in the towns of Judah also brought in
the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of the holy things de dicated
to Yahweh their God, piling them up, heap after heap.
7 They began making these heaps in the third month and finished them in the
seventh.
8 When Hezekiah and his officials saw how much had been given, they praised
Yahweh and praised his people Israel.
9 Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps,
10 and Azariah, the chief priest, of the family of Zadok, answered him,
��Since the contributions were first brought to Yahweh��s House, we have had
enough to eat and still have plenty left over, for Yahweh has blessed his
people; this huge pile is what is left.��
11 Hezekiah then ordered them to have storerooms prepared in Yahweh��s House.
They did this,
12 and then brought in the contributions, tithes and consecrated things, to
keep them in a safe place. Conaniah the Levite was officer-in-charge of
them, with Shimei his brother as his assistant.
13 Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Je ri moth, Joza bad, Eliel, Ismachiah,
Mahat, and Benaiah were appointed supervisors under the command of Conaiah
and his brother Shimei, by order of King Heze kiah and of Azariah the High
Priest.
14 Kore, son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the eastern gate, was made
responsible for the voluntary offerings to God; he provided the portion set
aside for Yahweh and the most holy offerings.
15 Under his command he had Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah and
She caniah, who resided permanently in the towns of the priests to
distribute these gifts to their kinsmen great or small according to their
orders.
16 In addition to this, there was the or ganization by related groups of all
those men thirty years old or older who went to Yahweh��s House, by daily
rotation, to perform the ritual duties appropriate to their orders.
17 There was also the organization of priests by families; as also that of
Levites twenty years old or older, by duties and orders.
18 There was also the organization of all their families for the whole
assembly, since they were busy with the holy ministry.
19 As regards the priests, the sons of Aaron, who lived in the pasture lands
belonging to their towns, or in the towns themselves, appointed men,
distributed the food to every male among the priests and also to the
inscribed Levites who were enrolled.
20 Hezekiah enforced these arrangements throughout Judah. He did what is
good and right and loyal before Yahweh his God.
21 He was successful, because everything he did for the Temple or in ob
servance of the Law, he did as one seeking God with all his heart.