Chapter 31
1 Now when all this was finished , all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces , cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin , also in Ephraim and Manasseh , until they had destroyed them all . Then all the children of Israel returned , every man to his possession, into their own cities .
2 Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions , every man according to his service , both the priests and the Levites , for burnt offerings and for peace offerings , to minister , to give thanks , and to praise in the gates of Yahweh ’s camp .
3 He also appointed the king ’s portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings : for the morning and evening burnt offerings , and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths , for the new moons , and for the set feasts , as it is written in Yahweh ’s law .
4 Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites , that they might give themselves to Yahweh ’s law .
5 As soon as the commandment went out , the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain , new wine , oil , honey , and of all the increase of the field ; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly .
6 The children of Israel and Judah , who lived in the cities of Judah , also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep , and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to Yahweh their God , and laid them in heaps .
7 In the third month , they began to lay the foundation of the heaps , and finished them in the seventh month .
8 When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps , they blessed Yahweh and his people Israel .
9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps .
10 Azariah the chief priest , of the house of Zadok , answered him and said, " Since people began to bring the offerings into Yahweh ’s house , we have eaten and had enough , and have plenty left over , for Yahweh has blessed his people ; and that which is left is this great store ."
11 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in Yahweh ’s house , and they prepared them .
12 They brought in the offerings , the tithes , and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them , and Shimei his brother was second .
13 Jehiel , Azaziah , Nahath , Asahel , Jerimoth , Jozabad , Eliel, Ismachiah , Mahath , and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of God ’s house .
14 Kore the son of Imnah the Levite , the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God , to distribute Yahweh ’s offerings and the most holy things .
15 Under him were Eden , Miniamin , Jeshua , Shemaiah , Amariah, and Shecaniah , in the cities of the priests , in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions , to the great as well as to the small ;
16 in addition to those who were listed by genealogy of males , from three years old and upward , even everyone who entered into Yahweh ’s house , as the duty of every day required , for their service in their offices according to their divisions ;
17 and those who were listed by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses , and the Levites from twenty years old and upward , in their offices by their divisions ;
18 and those who were listed by genealogy of all their little ones , their wives, their sons , and their daughters , through all the congregation ; for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness .
19 Also for the sons of Aaron the priests , who were in the fields of the pasture lands of their cities , in every city , there were men who were mentioned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests and to all who were listed by genealogy among the Levites .
20 Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah ; and he did that which was good , right , and faithful before Yahweh his God .
21 In every work that he began in the service of God’s house , in the law , and in the commandments , to seek his God, he did it with all his heart and prospered .