2 Chronicles — Chapter 30

MENSE SECUNDO — second month for the delayed Passover, as prescribed in Numbers 9:10 for those who were unclean or on a journey at the first Passover. Lapide notes the unusual circumstance: the priests had not been consecrated in sufficient number, and the people had not yet assembled in Jerusalem.

CONGREGATIQUE SUNT IN JERUSALEM POPULI MULTI — a great multitude gathered in Jerusalem for the feast of unleavened bread in the second month: the most solemn Passover since Solomon. All Israel invited from Dan to Beersheba to return to the Lord God of Abraham.

MAGNA PARS POPULI DE EPHRAIM... COMEDIT PHASE NON JUXTA QUOD SCRIPTUM EST ET ORAVIT PRO EIS EZECHIAS DICENS: DOMINUS BONUS PROPITIABITUR cunctis qui in toto corde requirunt Dominum. — Lapide: Hezekiah interceded for the many who ate the Passover without legal purification. God healed them. Lapide sees Eucharistic significance: the internal disposition of the heart matters more than external legal purity, as greater purity is required of the celebrating priest than of the communicant. God exaudivit (heard him), perhaps by a visible sign of fire from heaven consuming the sacrifices.

LOCUTUS EST EZECHIAS AD COR OMNIUM LEVITARUM — Hezekiah spoke to the heart of all the Levites \"who had good understanding toward the Lord,\" praising them for their skill in singing the divine praises. Lapide (following Cajetanus): he spoke penetrating words to their heart, that they should undertake and continue the instruction of the people.

FACTA EST GRANDIS CELEBRITAS IN JERUSALEM QUALIS A DIEBUS SALOMONIS NON FUERAT — a great solemnity, the like of which had not been in Jerusalem since the days of Solomon: all of Judah, Israel, priests, Levites, and proselytes rejoicing together for seven days, then seven more days added.