John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah , etc.] Sent messengers to them, not only to the subjects of his own kingdom, Judah, but to all the Israelites that dwelt in it, who were come thither for the sake of religion, and the worship of God: and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh ; which are put for all the ten tribes, as appears from ( 2 Chronicles 30:10,11) and are distinguished from Israel in the preceding clause: that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem ; not that he laid his commands upon them to come, they not being his subjects, namely, those of the ten tribes; but he hereby admonished them of their duty, and gave them a kind invitation, signifying the doors of the temple were open for them, and they were welcome to come thither: to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel ; to the glory of his name, who was the common Lord of them all, and whose command it was to keep the passover, and that at Jerusalem, and nowhere else, (see Deuteronomy 16:1-6).
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-12 - Hezekiah made Israel as welcome to the passover, as any of his ow subjects. Let us yield ourselves unto the Lord. Say not, you will do what you please, but resolve to do what he pleases. We perceive in the carnal mind a stiffness, an obstinacy, an unaptness to compel with God we have it from our fathers: this must be overcome. Those who, throug grace, have turned to God themselves, should do all they can to brin others to him. Numbers will be scorners, but some will be humbled an benefited; perhaps where least expected. The rich mercy of God is the great argument by which to enforce repentance; the vilest who submi and yield themselves to the Lord, seek his grace, and give themselve to his service, shall certainly be saved. Oh that messengers were sen forth to carry these glad tidings to every city and every village through every land!
Original Hebrew וישׁלח7971 יחזקיהו2396 על5921 כל3605 ישׂראל3478 ויהודה3063 וגם1571 אגרות107 כתב3789 על5921 אפרים669 ומנשׁה4519 לבוא935 לבית1004 יהוה3068 בירושׁלם3389 לעשׂות6213 פסח6453 ליהוה3068 אלהי430 ישׂראל׃3478
