MPV Commentary

Hezekiah Proclaims a Passover.

Hezekiah sent letters to all the people of Judah and invited them to come to Jerusalem to keep the passover. This great festival had not been regularly observed by the Hebrews in their national capacity for a long time, due to the division of the kingdom and subsequent disorders. Hezekiah longed to see its observance revived, and his wishes were enthusiastically supported by the princes and chief men of Judah.

Letters were also sent to Ephraim and Manasseh, representing the whole kingdom of Israel. However, it was deemed impossible for the temple, priests, and people to be properly sanctified on the usual date, the fourteenth day of Nisan. Instead, Hezekiah decided to observe the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month, a liberty granted in certain circumstances (Numbers 9:6-13). This decision required the concurrence or permission of the Israelite king, Hoshea, who was more favorably disposed to religious freedom than his predecessors.

The proclamation was carried out by royal messengers, known as posts, who were taken from the king's bodyguard. Each messenger had a specific route to cover and was relieved by another after completing their course. This ensured that public edicts were quickly disseminated throughout the country. Hezekiah followed up his written invitation with a verbal address, urging the people to return to the pure faith and institutions delivered through Moses.

Hezekiah's message emphasized that even those who had escaped Assyrian invasions should participate in the passover celebration. This implies that several expeditions against Israel had already taken place, but no one was removed at that time. However, later invasions did result in some people being carried into exile.

The messengers passed from city to city, and while some quarters ridiculed or opposed Hezekiah's attempt to revive the passover, many others complied with the invitation. In fact, a large number of people from throughout Israel and Judah gathered in Jerusalem for this occasion, which was later regarded as one of the greatest passovers ever celebrated.