“Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.”
My Notes
What Does 2 Chronicles 31:4 Mean?
"Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD." Hezekiah commands the people to resume tithing — giving the designated portions that support the priests and Levites. The purpose is stated explicitly: so that the clergy can be "encouraged" (chazaq — strengthened, emboldened) in God's law. The financial support and the spiritual ministry are directly linked.
The word "encouraged" (chazaq — to be strong, to hold fast) means the priests and Levites can't fully commit to their teaching ministry if they're worrying about economic survival. The tithes aren't charity. They're infrastructure: financial support that enables spiritual service. When the people give their portions, the clergy can devote themselves entirely to "the law of the LORD."
The command to "the people that dwelt in Jerusalem" makes it local and specific: this isn't an abstract national policy. It's a concrete directive to the people living closest to the Temple. The people nearest to the ministry bear the first responsibility for supporting it.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What spiritual ministry needs your material support to flourish?
- 2.How does 'encouraged in the law of the LORD' reframe tithing as ministry infrastructure rather than obligation?
- 3.What happens to spiritual leadership when material support is absent?
- 4.Where has your generosity produced overflow — and where has withholding produced spiritual drought?
Devotional
Give the portion — so they can focus on the ministry. Hezekiah's command connects financial support directly to spiritual strength: the priests and Levites can be encouraged in God's law only when the people provide their portions. The giving enables the teaching. The material support produces spiritual ministry.
The 'encouraged in the law of the LORD' reveals the real purpose of tithing: it's not about funding an institution. It's about freeing people for ministry. When the priests and Levites are financially supported, they can devote their full attention to studying, teaching, and applying God's law. When they're not supported, they have to find other ways to survive — and the ministry suffers.
This is practical theology: spiritual leadership requires material support. The prophet who has to farm full-time to eat can't study full-time to teach. The priest who worries about feeding his family can't focus on feeding the congregation. Hezekiah understood that the revival he was building required infrastructure — and infrastructure requires funding.
The result is extraordinary: verse 5-6 records that the people responded so generously that the contributions piled up in heaps. The abundance was so great they had more than enough. Hezekiah's command produced overflow — the people didn't just meet the requirement. They exceeded it.
What ministry, teaching, or spiritual work in your life needs material support to flourish — and are you providing it?
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
Moreover, he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites,.... What…
That they might be encouraged ... - i. e. to devote themselves wholly to their proper work, the service of the sanctuary…
We have here an account of what was done after the passover. What was wanting in the solemnities of preparation for it…
be encouraged in R.V. give themselves to. Cp. Neh 13:10-13.
Cross References
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