Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple

"He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors of the house of the LORD, and repaired them." "Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the filthiness out of the holy place."

"For our fathers have trespassed… they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps." The Levites carry the uncleanness to the brook Kidron. "In eight days of the month… and in the sixteenth day of the first month they made an end."

"For the king commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel." "And when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David." The priests are too few to skin the offerings, "for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests." "And Hezekiah rejoiced… that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly."

Chronicles' Hezekiah

2 Kings 18 gives Hezekiah's reform three verses; Chronicles gives three chapters (29–31) to the temple, Passover and offerings, and only one to Sennacherib. Hezekiah becomes a second David and Solomon.

Levites praised

Chronicles notes that Levites were more conscientious than priests, reflecting its high view of the Levites.