Azariah. — Possibly the Azariah of 2 Chronicles 26:17. If not, he is otherwise unknown.
Since the people began to bring the offerings. — Since they began to bring the Tĕrûmâh: a word which the Authorised Version usually renders “heave offering.” (See Note on 2 Chronicles 31:6.)
To bring. — In the Hebrew a contracted form, recurring in Jeremiah 39:7.
We have had enough to eat, and have left plenty. — Literally, Eating and being satisfied, and leaving over, even unto abundance (exclamatory infinitives). (Comp. Hosea 4:2 for this construction.)
The Lord hath blessed his people. — So that they were able to give liberally.
That which is left. — After the maintenance o£ the priests has been subtracted.
This great store. — In the Hebrew these words are in the accusative case. Probably, therefore, the right reading is, “and there is left this great store” (omitting the article, and reading wĕ-nôthâr, with Kamp-hausen).
Chambers. — Cells; lĕshâkôth. (See Notes on 1 Chronicles 9:26; 1 Chronicles 23:28.) The preparation intended is probably nothing but the clearance and cleansing of some of these cells for the reception of the stores.