Matthew Henry on 2 Chronicles 30:13-20
The time appointed for the passover having arrived, a very great congregation came together upon the occasion, Ch2 30:13. Now here we have,
I. The preparation they made for the passover, and good preparation it was: They took away all the idolatrous altars that were found, not only in the temple, but in Jerusalem, Ch2 30:14. Before they kept the feast, they cast out this old leaven. The best preparation we can make for the gospel passover is to cast away our iniquities, our spiritual idolatries.
II. The celebration of the passover. In this the people were so forward and zealous that the priests and Levites blushed to see themselves out-done by the commonalty, to see them more ready to bring…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 2 Chronicles 30:14
THE ASSEMBLY DESTROYS THE ALTARS OF IDOLATRY. (Ch2 30:13-27)
they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem--As a necessary preparation for the right observance of the approaching solemnity, the removal of the altars, which Ahaz had erected in the city, was resolved upon (Ch2 28:24); for, as the people of God, the Hebrews were bound to extirpate all traces of idolatry; and it was a happy sign and pledge of the influence of the Spirit pervading the minds of the people when they voluntarily undertook this important preliminary work.
Adam Clarke on 2 Chronicles 30:9
And will not turn away his face from you - Well expressed by the Targum: "For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not cause his majesty to ascend up from among you, if ye will return to his fear." The shechinah, of which the Targumist speaks, is the dwelling of the Divine Presence among men, and the visible symbol of that presence.
John Gill on 2 Chronicles 30:14
And they arose,.... Before they slew and ate the passover:
and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem; which Ahaz had set up in every corner of Jerusalem, to offer sacrifices upon, 2 Chronicles 28:24.
and all the altars for incense took they away; for as there were some to offer sacrifices on, there were others to burn incense upon, not to the Lord, but to idols, as the Targum adds:
and cast them into the brook Kidron; having reduced them to dust and ashes, see 2 Chronicles 29:16.
