2 Chronicles 35:8

And his Princes gaue willingly vnto the people, to the Priests and to the Leuites: Hilkiah, and Zachariah, and Iehiel, rulers of the house of God, gaue vnto the Priests for the Passeouer-offerings, two thousand and sixe hundred small cattell, and three hundred oxen. 2 Chronicles 35:8 (KJV)

And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God, gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six hundred

small cattle, and three hundred oxen. 2 Chronicles 35:8 (KJV)

Historical Context: At this time, the kingdom of Israel had already been divided into the northern kingdom (Israel) and the southern kingdom (Judah). Josiah was the righteous king of Judah, who ascended the throne at a young age. He was known for his commitment to the Lord and his efforts to bring about religious reforms in the land.

Before Josiah’s reign, the nation had turned away from the worship of the true God and had engaged in idolatry and various other sinful practices. When Josiah became king, he initiated a comprehensive program of spiritual renewal and cleansing throughout the land. He purged the nation of idolatry, repaired the temple, and reinstated the worship of the Lord according to the Law of Moses.

The Observance of the Passover: As part of his reforms, Josiah sought to reinstate the observance of the Passover, which had been neglected for many years. The Passover was a significant festival in Israel’s history, commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It was ordained by God as a perpetual observance to be celebrated on the fourteenth day of the first month (Exodus 12:1-28).

Generosity of the Princes: In 2 Chronicles 35:9, we see the generosity of the chief officers of the house of the Lord. Hilkiah and his companions gave offerings for the Passover celebrations, providing two thousand six hundred small cattle and three hundred oxen to the priests for the Passover sacrifices.

This act of giving by the leaders was significant because it demonstrated their support for the spiritual reforms and their commitment to the worship of the Lord. It also provided the necessary provisions for the Passover offerings, ensuring that the festival could be observed properly according to God’s commandments.

The passage highlights the importance of generosity and providing for the needs of others, especially in the context of worship and the service of God. The leaders willingly gave from their own resources to support the priests and Levites in carrying out their duties.