1Now when all this was finished , all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah , and brake in pieces the pillars , and hewed down the Asherim, and brake down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin , in Ephraim also and Manasseh , until they had destroyed them all . Then all the children of Israel returned , every man to his possession, into their own cities . 2And 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 . 3He 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 . 4Moreover 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 . 5And as soon as the commandment came abroad , the children of Israel gave in abundance the first-fruits of grain , new wine , and oil , and honey , and of all the increase of the field ; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly . 6And 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 . 7In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps , and finished them in the seventh month . 8And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps , they blessed Jehovah , and his people Israel . 9Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps . 10And 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 .
The Generosity of the People
11Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of Jehovah ; and they prepared them ; 12and they brought in the oblations and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully. And over them Conaniah the Levite was ruler , and Shimei his brother was second ; 13and Jehiel , and Azaziah , and Nahath , and Asahel , and Jerimoth , and Jozabad , and Eliel, and Ismachiah , and 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 the house of God . 14And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite , the porter at the east gate , was over the freewill-offerings of God , to distribute the oblations of Jehovah , and the most holy things . 15And under him were Eden , and Miniamin , and Jeshua , and Shemaiah , Amariah, and Shecaniah , in the cities of the priests , in their office of trust, to give to their brethren by courses , as well to the great as to the small : 16besides them that were reckoned by genealogy of males , from three years old and upward , even every one that entered into the house of Jehovah , as the duty of every day required , for their service in their offices according to their courses ; 17and them that were reckoned by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses , and the Levites from twenty years old and upward , in their offices by their courses ; 18and them that were reckoned by genealogy of all their little ones , their wives, and their sons , and their daughters , through all the congregation : for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness . 19Also for the sons of Aaron the priests , that were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities , in every city , there were men that were mentioned by name , to give portions to all the males among the priests , and to all that were reckoned by genealogy among the Levites .
The Organization of the Priests and Levites
20And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah ; and he wrought that which was good and right and faithful before Jehovah his God . 21And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law , and in the commandments , to seek his God, he did it with all his heart , and prospered .