But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
The priests were too few ... wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them. The skins of beasts intended as peace offerings might be taken off by the officers, because in such cases the carcass was not wholly laid upon the altar; but animals meant for burnt offerings, which were wholly consumed by fire, could be flayed by the priests alone, not even Levites being allowed to touch them, except, as here, in cases of unavoidable necessity (2 Chronicles 35:11). The duty being assigned by the law to the priests (Leviticus 1:6), was construed by consuetudinary practice as an exclusion of all others not connected with the Aaronic family. For the Levites were more right in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests - i:e., displayed greater alacrity than the priests. This service was hastened on by the irrepressible solicitude of the king; and whether it was that many of the priests being absent in the country, had not arrived in time-whether, from the long interruption of the public duties, some of them had relaxed in their wonted attention to personal cleanliness, and had many preparations to make-or whether, from some having participated in the idolatrous services introduced by Ahaz, they were backward in repairing to the temple-a reflection does seem to be cast upon their order as dilatory and not universally ready for duty (cf 2 Chronicles 30:15). Thus, was the newly-consecrated temple re-opened, to the no small joy of the pious king and all the people.