Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money. — This is the chronicler’s interpretation of “Let the priests take it to themselves, each from his own acquaintance” (Kings). The priests and Levites of the different districts were to collect the moneys due to the sanctuary, each in his own neighbourhood.
And see that ye hasten the matter. — Literally, and, for your part, hasten ye in regard to the matter (comp. 2 Chronicles 18:8); and the Levites hastened not. This agrees with the statement in 2 Kings 12:6; 2 Kings 12:9 : “And it was so, that in the three and twentieth year of king Jehoash the priests had not repaired the breaches of the house.” The remissness of the priestly order is evidently inferable from these words.