Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 2 Chronicles 31:2
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
2 21 (not in 2 Kin.). Organisation of the Priests, Tithe
2. the courses ] Cp. 1Ch 24:1 ff.
the priests and Levites ] R.V. both the priests and the Levites.
in the gates ] Cp. Deu 16:5.
the tents of the Lord ] R.V. the camp of the LORD, i.e. (in the language of Deut.) “the place which the Lord chose,” Jerusalem or, more exactly, the Temple area. Cp. 1Ch 9:18, note.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The tents – literally, the camps. The temple is called the camp of Yahweh by an apt metaphor: the square enclosure, with its gates and stations, its guards and porters, its reliefs, its orderly arrangement, and the tabernacle, or tent, of the great commander in the midst, very much resembled a camp.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 2. In the gates of the tents of the Lord.] That is, in the temple; for this was the house, tabernacle, tent, and camp, of the Most High.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
i.e. Within the gates of the house of the Lord; which is here called
tents, partly because all houses are oft so called, as Jdg 19:9; 20:8; Psa 69:25; and partly because the host of the Lord, to wit, the priests and Levites, frequently so called, encamped there, and kept their stations and orders there by course.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
2-5. Hezekiah appointed the coursesof the priests, c.The king now turned his attention to providefor the orderly performance of the temple-worshiparranging thepriests and Levites in their courses, assigning to every one hisproper place and functionsand issuing edicts for the regularpayment of those dues from which the revenues of the sanctuary werederived. To set a proper example to his subjects, his own proportionwas announced in the first instance, for to the king it belonged, outof his privy purse, to defray the expenses of the altar, both statedand occasional (Num 28:3 Num 28:4;Num 28:9; Num 28:11;Num 28:19); and in making thiscontribution from his own means, Hezekiah followed the course whichDavid and Solomon had taken before him (see 2Ch 8:14;1Ki 9:25). Afterwards hereappointed the people’s dues to the temple; and from its beingnecessary to issue a royal mandate in reference to this matter, itappears that the sacred tribute had been either totally neglected, or(as the idolatrous princes were known to appropriate it to their ownpurposes) the people had in many cases refused or evaded the duty.But with the improved state of public feeling, Hezekiah’s commandmentwas readily obeyed, and contributions of first-fruits and tithes werepoured in with great liberality from all parts of Judah, as well asfrom Israel. The first-fruits, even of some articles of produce thatwere unfit for sacrifice (Le 2:11),such as honey (Margin, “dates”), were appropriatedto the priests (Num 18:12; Num 18:13;Deu 18:4). The tithes (Le27:31) were intended for the support of the whole Levitical tribe(Num 18:8; Num 18:20;Num 18:24).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests, and the Levites after their courses,…. As they were fixed by David, and were in the times of Jehoshaphat, and had been since interrupted, and which Hezekiah now restored, and placed them in their regular order:
every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings, and for peace offerings, to minister and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord; or camp of the Lord, where they were posted, and lay as an host encamped, to keep the watch of the house of the Lord; the priests, they were appointed to offer the sacrifices of every sort; the Levites to minister to them in what they needed and required of them, and others of them to be singers in time of service, and others to be porters at the gate.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Restoration of order in the public worship, and of the temple revenues and those of the priests. – 2Ch 31:2. Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and Levites according to their courses, each according to the measure of his service (cf. Num 7:5, Num 7:7), viz., the priests and Levites ( are subordinated to in apposition by ), for burnt-offerings and thank-offerings, to serve (to wait upon the worship), and to praise and thank (by song and instrumental music) in the gates of the camp of Jahve, i.e., in the temple and court of the priests; see on 1Ch 9:18.
2Ch 31:3 And the portion of the king from his possession was for the burnt-offerings, etc.; that is, the material for the burnt-offerings which are commanded in Num 28 and 29 the king gave from his possessions, which are enumerated in 2Ch 32:27-29.
2Ch 31:4-8 The priests and Levites received their maintenance from the first-fruits (Exo 23:19; Num 18:12; Deu 26:2) and the tithes, which the people had to pay from the produce of their cattle-breeding and their agriculture (Lev 27:30-33, cf. with Num 18:21-24). Hezekiah commanded the people, viz., the inhabitants of Jerusalem, to give this portion to the Levites and priests, that they might hold themselves firmly to the law of Jahve, i.e., might devote themselves to the duties laid upon them by the law, the attendance upon the worship, without being compelled to labour for their subsistence; cf. Neh 13:10.
2Ch 31:5-6 When the word (the royal command) went forth (spread abroad), the Israelites brought in abundance the first-fruits which had been assigned to the priests (2Ch 18:12.), and the tithes, which were paid to the whole tribe of Levi (Num 18:21-24). , 2Ch 31:6, are not the inhabitants of the northern kingdom, but the Israelites who had emigrated from that kingdom into Judah (as 2Ch 30:25; 2Ch 11:16; 2Ch 10:17). , the tenth from the holy gifts which were consecrated to Jahve, is surprising, since in the law, Num 18:8., it is not the tenth of the consecrated gifts which is spoken of, but only (Num 18:19). Proceeding upon the assumption that all which were consecrated to Jahve were given over to the tribe of Levi, Bertheau finds no correspondence between the law and the statement of our verse, that the tenth of the holy things was given, and points out that the lxx seem to have read instead of m`sr, without, however, himself deciding in favour of that reading. But the lxx have rendered the words hmqdsym by , , and consequently cannot have read for , since in their translation epide’kata corresponds to m`sr. But the deviation of the statement in our verse from the law, Num 18, arises partly from an incorrect or inexact interpretation of the provisions of the law, Num 18:8. In the law, as such were not assigned to the tribe of Levi, or more correctly to the priests (Aaron and his sons), but only the , the heave-offerings of all the holy gifts of the sons of Israel, i.e., the pieces or parts of the sacrificial gifts of the Israelites which were not burnt upon the altar, consequently the greater part of the meal, and oil, and flesh of the oblations, the sin-offerings, the trespass-offerings, and of the peace-offerings, the wave-breast and wave-thigh, and whatever else was waved in wave-offerings; see on Num 18:8. These Therumoth of the consecrated gifts are in our verse designated , because they were only a fragment of that which was consecrated to the Lord, just as the tenth was a fragment of the whole herd, and of the field produce. The statement of our verse, therefore, differs only in expression from the prescription of the law, but in substance it completely agrees with it. , and they made many heaps, i.e., they brought the first-fruits and tithes in heaps.
2Ch 31:7 In the third month, consequently immediately at the end of the grain harvest, they commenced to found the heaps (to lay the foundation of the heaps); and in the seventh month, i.e., at the end of the fruit and wine harvest, they completed them (the heaps). In the third month fell pentecost, or the harvest feast; in the seventh, the feast of tabernacles, after the gathering in of all the fruits. has Daghesh in , because this verb in the imperf. assimilates its like to the second radical, and the infinitive is formed after the imperf.; cf. Ew. 245, a.
2Ch 31:8-10 When Hezekiah and the priests saw these heaps, they praised the Lord and His people Israel.
The employment and storing of these gifts, 2Ch 31:9-19. – 2Ch 31:9. Hezekiah questioned ( ) the priests and Levites concerning the heaps, i.e., not as to whether they were sufficient for the support of the priests and Levites, but as to how it happened that such masses had been heaped up. Thereupon Azariah the high priest (hardly the Azariah mentioned 2Ch 26:17, who forty years before tried to prevent Uzziah from pressing into the holy place), of the house of Zadok, answered him: Since they began to bring ( for ) the heave-offerings into the house of the Lord, we have eaten and satisfied ourselves, and have left in plenty. The infin. absol. stand in animated speech instead of the first pers. plur. perf. From the same animation arises the construction of with ; for “that which is left” signifies, and we have left this quantity here.
2Ch 31:11-12 Then the king commanded to prepare cells in the house of God for the storing of the provisions. Whether new cells were built, or cells already existing were prepared for this purpose, cannot be decided, since may signify either. Into these cells they brought the , which here denotes the first-fruits (cf. 2Ch 31:5), the tithes, and the dedicated things, , with fidelity, cf. 2Ch 19:9. , over them (the first-fruits, etc.) the Levite Cononiah was set as ruler (inspector), and his brother Shimei as second ruler ( ).
2Ch 31:13-14 To them at their hand, i.e., as subordinate overseers, were given ten Levites, who are enumerated by name. Of the names, Jehiel and Mahath occur in 2Ch 29:12 and 2Ch 29:14. is translated by the Vulg. ex imperio , better ex mandato Hizkiae . Azariah, the prince of the house of God, is the high priest mentioned in 2Ch 31:10. – To the fourteen Levites named in 2Ch 31:13 and 2Ch 31:14 was committed the oversight and storing of the first-fruits, tithes, and consecrated gifts. Besides these, there were special officers appointed for the distribution of them. – In 2Ch 31:14-19 these are treated of; 2Ch 31:14 dealing with the distribution of the voluntary gifts of God, i.e., all which was offered to God of spontaneous impulse (Lev 23:38; Deu 12:17), to which the first-fruits and tithes did not belong, they being assessments prescribed by the law. Over the freewill offerings the Levite Kore, the doorkeeper towards the east (see on 1Ch 9:18), was set. His duty was to give (distribute) “the heave-offerings of Jahve,” i.e., that portion of the thank-offerings which properly belonged to Jahve, and which was transferred by Him to the priests (Lev 7:14; Num 5:9), and the “most holy,” i.e., that part of the sin and trespass offerings (Lev 6:10, Lev 6:22; Lev 7:6) and of the oblations (Lev 2:3, Lev 2:10) which was to be eaten by the priests in the holy place.
2Ch 31:15-16 At his hand ( = , 2Ch 31:13), i.e., under his superintendence, there were six Levites, enumerated by name, in the priests’ cities, with fidelity, “to give to their brethren in their courses, as well to the great as to the small” (i.e., to the older and to the younger), sc. the portion of the gifts received which fell to each. By the brethren in their courses we are to understand not merely the Levites dwelling in the priests’ cities, who on account of their youth or old age could not come into the temple, but also those who at the time were not on duty, since the Levites’ courses performed it by turns, only some courses being on duty in the temple, while the others were at home in the priests’ cities. The object to , 2Ch 31:15, is not to be taken straightway from the objects mentioned with in 2Ch 31:14. For the most holy gifts could not be sent to the priests’ cities, but were consumed in the holy place, i.e., in the temple. Nor can we confine to the ; for since the gifts of the people, laid up in the cells, consisted in first-fruits, tithes, and consecrated gifts (2Ch 31:11), and special officers were appointed for the storing and distribution of them, the business of distribution could not consist merely in the giving out of freewill offerings, but must have extended to all the offerings of the people. When, therefore, it is said of the Levite Kore, in 2Ch 31:14, that he was appointed over the freewill offerings, to distribute the heave-offerings and the most holy, only his chief function is there mentioned, and the functions of the officials associated with and subordinated to him in the priests’ cities are not to be confined to that. The object to , 2Ch 31:15, is consequently to be determined by the whole context, and the arrangements which are assumed as known from the law; i.e., we must embrace under that word the distribution of the first-fruits, tithes, and consecrated gifts, of which the Levites in the priests’ cities were to receive their portion according to the law. – In 2Ch 31:16, the b| of 2Ch 31:15 is more closely defined by an exception: “Besides their catalogue of the men (i.e., exclusive of those of the male sex catalogued by them) from three years old and upward, namely, of all those who came into the house of Jahve to the daily portion, for their service in their offices according to their courses.” signifies, in this connection, the portion of the holy gifts coming to them for every day; cf. Neh 11:23. The meaning of the verse is: From those dwelling in the priests’ cities were excluded those who had come to perform service in the temple; and, indeed, not merely those performing the service, but also their male children, who were catalogued along with them if they were three years old and upward. Thence it is clear that those entering upon their service took their sons with them when they were three years old. These children ate in the place of the sanctuary of the portion coming to their parents.
2Ch 31:17 2Ch 31:17 contains a parenthetic remark as to the catalogues. , as nota accus. , serves here to emphasize the statement which is added as an elucidation (cf. Ew. 277, d): “But concerning the catalogue of the priests, it was (taken, prepared) according to the fathers’-houses; and the Levites, they were from twenty years old and upwards in their offices in their courses.” All the duties were discharged by several courses. On the age fixed on, see 1Ch 23:27.
2Ch 31:18 The connection and interpretation of this verse is doubtful. If we take as a continuation of , 2Ch 31:17, it gives us no suitable sense. The addition, “and also to every priest and Levite was a larger or smaller portion given according to the catalogue” (Ramb., etc.), is arbitrary, and does not fully express the before . Berth., on the other hand, correctly remarks, “After the parentheses in 2Ch 31:16 and 2Ch 31:17, may be taken as a continuation of in 2Ch 31:16;” but the word itself he translates wrongly thus: The men were in the priests’ cities, also to register their children, etc., disregarding the construction of with . – From 2Ch 31:19, where the same construction recurs, we learn how to interpret : the catalogue = those registered in (of) all their children. According to this view, corresponds to the , 2Ch 31:15: to give to their brethren, … and to the registered of all their children, their wives, and their sons and daughters, viz., to the whole multitude (sc., of the wives, sons, and daughters), i.e., as many of them as there were. This interpretation of the seems simpler than with Schmidt and Ramb. to understand to denote the coroporation of priests. There was therefore no one forgotten or overlooked; “for according to their fidelity (2Ch 31:15) did they show themselves holy in regard to the holy,” i.e., they acted in a holy manner with the holy gifts, distributed them disinterestedly and impartially to all who had any claim to them.
2Ch 31:19 And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, in the field of the districts of their cities (cf. Lev 25:34; Num 35:5), in each city were men (appointed) famous ( , as in 2Ch 28:15; see on 1Ch 12:31), to give portions to each male among the priests, and to all that were registered among the Levites. As for the inhabitants of the priests’ cities (2Ch 31:15), so also for the priests and Levites dwelling in the pasture grounds of the priests’ cities, were special officers appointed to distribute the priestly revenues.
2Ch 31:20-21 The conclusion of this account. Thus did Hezekiah in all Judah, and wrought in general that which was good and right and before the Lord his God; and in every work that he commenced for the service of the house of God, and for the law and the commandment (i.e., for the restoration of the law and its commands), to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament
(2) The courses . . . their courses.Hezekiah restored the system of service in rotation, ascribed to David. (Comp. 2Ch. 8:14, according to the order of David.)
Every man according to his service.See the same phrase in Num. 7:5; Num. 7:7. Literally, after the mouth (i.e., rule, prescription) of his service.
The priests and Levites.Literally, to the priests and Levites. The words depend upon those which immediately precede. LXX., .
To minister . . . praise.The chroniclers usual definition of the Levitical functions.
In the gates . . . Lord.Literally, in the gates of the camps of Jehovah. Comp. 1Ch. 9:18-19, where the phrase is explained.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
REORGANIZATION OF THE LEVITES, 2Ch 31:2-21.
2. The priests and the Levites after their courses The suspension of the temple service by Ahaz had disarranged the courses and work of the Levites, and so it behoved Hezekiah to re-organize these courses according to the divisions and arrangements which David had made. 1Ch 23:6 ; 1Ch 24:1.
In the gates of the tents of the Lord Literally, in the gates of the camps of Jehovah; that is, the gates leading to the temple and its courts. The courts and chambers of the temple are spoken of as a fortified camp, even a group of camps, in which Jehovah’s ministers constantly watched and worshipped.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
2Ch 31:2. To praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord See 1Ch 9:19.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
The liberal supply which both the king and people made for the maintenance of the priests and Levites, is another proof how much the service of the sanctuary lay in the hearts of the people. Those only can have a real sense of the value of ordinances who have been deprived of them. I cannot pass over this long account of the liberality of the people towards their priests, without remarking the grateful conduct of Azariah the chief priest upon the occasion. We have not only had enough to eat (said he) but we have left plenty. It were devoutly to be wished that while the people are liberal to their ministers, all ministers were liberal to them. An idle priest is of all characters the most odious. And what Paul hath said of men in general, ought in a most special manner to be followed up in law concerning the supposed servants of the sanctuary; If any will not work neither should he eat. 2Th 3:10 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
Ver. 2. In the gates of the tents of the Lord, ] i.e., Of the temple, fitly compared to a camp, for the watch and ward there kept by the priests, and for the convention of the people thither, as to their rendezvous, to pray, which is the chief service of our spiritual warfare.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the courses of the priests. 1Ch 24:26.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
2Ch 31:2-10
2Ch 31:2-10
THE MAGNIFICENT GENEROSITY OF THE ISRAELITES
“And 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 Jehovah. He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt-offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt-offerings, and the burnt-offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of Jehovah. Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the law of Jehovah. And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain, and new wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. And the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated unto Jehovah their God, and laid them by heaps. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed Jehovah, and his people Israel. Then Hezekiah and the princes questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. And Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, Since the people began to bring the oblations into the house of Jehovah, we have eaten and had enough, and have left plenty: for Jehovah hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”
“This paragraph pictures Hezekiah, not only as a second Solomon, but as a second David.” There was a wholesale reordering of the religious life and personnel of Israel. The freedom provided by these events gave the Levites time to devote themselves to the Law of Jehovah, thus making it absolutely certain that during the times of Josiah, less than seventy-five years later, there would be countless persons left in Israel who were thoroughly familiar with the entire Mosaic covenant and the precious “Book of Moses” that attended it. This effectively refutes the notion that a reprobate priesthood could have gotten away with forging any kind of a brand new religious constitution of Israel so soon afterward. It is this mountain fact that leads the radical critics to write that, “The Chronicler writes (in these chapters) much that is quite unhistorical.” Where is the proof that any of this material is unhistorical? The only thing on earth that contradicts any of what is written here is that favorite fairy tale of unbelievers frequently referred to as the D Document. To allow that to be true is to allow that an HISTORICAL REPORT (CHRONICLES) can be nullified by an imaginary, fraudulent, and absolutely UNHISTORICAL REPORT. This writer cannot subscribe to any such proposition, nor can he accept the allegation that any scientifically minded scholar could be persuaded to do so.
E.M. Zerr:
2Ch 31:2. At such a time as we have been considering, all of the items of the public service would naturally suffer some neglect. Thus the king found that the original setup of the priesthood had been somewhat disrupted. In 1Ch 23:6; 1Ch 24:1-19 is a record of these courses of the priests that David had arranged and he restored it. The particular work that was intended to be done by the several classes of citizens was again assigned to them. Some of that work pertained to the sacrifices, while other men were given parts to perform that pertained to the praise service.
2Ch 31:3. The occasions for sacrifices named in this verse were the set feasts, or those regularly established by the law. They were not to vary as to date (except as God made the variation as he did in the passover for the 2nd month), purpose, and manner of observance. They were not considered as individual services, but were for the nation as a whole. That was the reason that the contributions for them on behalf of the kingdom were to be taken from the substance or products of the king; that is, they were to be taken from the royal stores. It should be observed that these set feasts were according to what was written in the law of the Lord. Now they are found only In the “ceremonial law” that was given through Moses, yet that law is here called the law of the Lord. This all condemns the doctrine of the sabbatarians who try to distinguish between the law of Moses and the law of God.
2Ch 31:4. Portions of the priests and the Levites refers to the support that was to be given them for their services. They were not permitted to have a tribal possession as were the others, and therefore had no productive means of income. The other tribes were to give a tenth of all their income, and that was to go for the support of Levi. They were to receive also certain parts of the animals that were offered on the altar, which they could use as their food. See Num 18:8-24.
2Ch 31:5-6. This paragraph is a showing of the response the people made to Hezekiah’s commandment in 2Ch 31:4. We are impressed with the promptness with which they came up with their duties, for it says they did it as soon as the commandment came abroad. They brought in their tithes which means the tenth.
2Ch 31:7. Foundation was the starting of the collection of the fruits of the land. They were added unto the third month until the seventh, when the collection was complete. It will be interesting to note that pentecost came in the third month, and that was when the Jews brought the “firstfruits” unto the Lord. (Lev 23:17.) The seventh month was the one in which the great day of atonement came, followed in a few days by the feast of tabernacles. Also, by that time the year’s crops were all in, so that these heaps mentioned in this verse would be complete by then.
2Ch 31:8. It is significant that Hezekiah and his princes, or leading men, blessed the Lord and his people. They could not have given the products had not the Lord caused them to grow. But after they were made to grow, the Lord expected the people to show their appreciation by the return of part of them to him.
2Ch 31:9-10. Hezekiah questioned means he made inquiry about the resources for all the piles of produce, and of the use that had been made of them. The information was furnished by the chief (high) priest. God wants his servants to put the divine interests ahead of all others; yet he does not require them to go undernourished in so doing. The children of Israel had been sufficiently fed and were still able to offer this great store for the Lord’s service. We are reminded of Paul’s teaching along this same line in 2Co 9:8-10. This is not the particular place to enter into any speculation about “special providence.” I do not believe, however, that any faithful child of God ever suffered bodily harm by reason of his contributions to the work of the Lord. Hezekiah saw the bountiful supply of foodstuff, and seemed to wonder if the people had been deprived of their actual needs by making such gifts.
Fuente: Old and New Testaments Restoration Commentary
the courses: 2Ch 5:11, 2Ch 8:14, 2Ch 23:8, 1Ch 16:37, 1Ch 16:40, 1Ch 23:1 – 1Ch 26:32, Ezr 6:18, Luk 1:5
to give thanks: 2Ch 29:24-26, 1Ch 16:4-6, 1Ch 16:41, 1Ch 23:30, 1Ch 25:1-3, Neh 11:17, Psa 134:1-3, Psa 135:1-3, Jer 33:11
in the gates of the tents of the Lord: Beshaarey machanoth Yehowah, “within the gates of the camps of Jehovah;” which comprehended the whole of the buildings that surrounded the temple, in which the priests and Levites were stationed, and which resembled military encampments.
Reciprocal: Lev 19:5 – a sacrifice Num 3:25 – the charge Num 8:22 – after that Deu 18:7 – as all his brethren 1Ch 6:32 – and then 1Ch 23:6 – divided 2Ch 31:17 – by their courses 2Ch 35:2 – charges Neh 7:1 – the porters Psa 100:2 – come Luk 1:8 – in
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
2Ch 31:2. In the gates of the tents of the Lord That is, within the gates of the house of the Lord: which is here called tents, either because all houses are often so called, (see Jdg 19:9; Jdg 20:8; Psalm 79:25,) or because the host of the Lord, the priests and Levites, encamped there, and kept their stations and orders there by course: and perhaps also to intimate that it was shortly to be removed.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the {c} tents of the LORD.
(c) That is, in the temple where they assembled as in a tent.
Fuente: Geneva Bible Notes
3. Re-establishment of proper worship 31:2-21
The king organized the priests and Levites again into the divisions David had specified. Evidently Hezekiah’s predecessors had not observed these divisions. He also instituted tithing again as the Mosaic Law commanded (cf. Lev 27:30; Num 18:8; Deu 14:28). Because the people responded obediently, there was an abundance of money for temple maintenance and for its servants (2Ch 31:10). The principle these reforms illustrate is that when God’s people obey His Word, they prosper (in some form). God always desires people’s welfare. Hezekiah prospered, too (2Ch 31:21), because he sought God with all his heart, as David had done. In New Testament terms, he did all for the glory of God (1Co 10:31).