1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

2 And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord.

3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

4 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the Lord all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel.

5 And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.

6 And he brought out the grove from the house of the Lord, without Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of the children of the people.

7 And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the Lord, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to Beersheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.

9 Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.

10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

11 And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun, at the entering in of the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nathanmelech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.

12 And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.

13 And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

14 And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.

15 Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.

16 And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.

17 Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.

18 And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.

19 And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.

20 And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.

21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.

22 Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;

23 But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the Lord in Jerusalem.

24 Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord.

25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

26 Notwithstanding the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.

27 And the Lord said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.

28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

29 In his days Pharaohnechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.

30 And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead.

31 Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.

32 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

33 And Pharaohnechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.

34 And Pharaohnechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.

35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaohnechoh.

36 Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.

37 And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah reads the law, and renews the covenant.
Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should only deliver his own soul; yet he does his duty, and leaves the event to God. He engaged the people in the most solemn manner to abolish idolatry, and to serve God in righteousness and true holiness. Though most were formal or hypocritical herein, yet much outward wickedness would be prevented, and they were accountable to God for their own conduct.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(2 Chronicles 34:29-31). Need for a Reform
—Josiah had read to priests and people the Book of the law found in the side of the ark in the house of God. His sensitive conscience was deeply stirred as he saw how far the people had departed from the requirements of the covenant they had made with God. He saw that they were indulging appetite to a fearful extent, and perverting their senses by the use of wine. Men in sacred offices were frequently incapacitated for the duties of their positions, because of their indulgence in wine.Appetite and passion were fast gaining the ascendancy over the reason and judgment of the people, till they could not discern that the retribution of God would follow upon their corrupt course. Josiah, the youthful reformer, in the fear of God demolished the profane sanctuaries and hideous idols built for heathen worship, and the altars reared for sacrifices to heathen deities. Yet there were still to be seen in Christ's time the memorials of the sad apostasy of the king of Israel and his people (The Health Reformer, April 1878).The Book an Ally in Work of Reform—In his position as king, it was the work of Josiah to carry out in the Jewish nation the principles taught in the Book of the law. This he endeavored to do faithfully. In the Book of the law itself he found a treasure of knowledge, a powerful ally in the work of reform (The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1903).
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 34:29 2 Kings 23:2

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah reads the law, and renews the covenant.
Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should only deliver his own soul; yet he does his duty, and leaves the event to God. He engaged the people in the most solemn manner to abolish idolatry, and to serve God in righteousness and true holiness. Though most were formal or hypocritical herein, yet much outward wickedness would be prevented, and they were accountable to God for their own conduct.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(2 Chronicles 34:29-31). Need for a Reform
—Josiah had read to priests and people the Book of the law found in the side of the ark in the house of God. His sensitive conscience was deeply stirred as he saw how far the people had departed from the requirements of the covenant they had made with God. He saw that they were indulging appetite to a fearful extent, and perverting their senses by the use of wine. Men in sacred offices were frequently incapacitated for the duties of their positions, because of their indulgence in wine.Appetite and passion were fast gaining the ascendancy over the reason and judgment of the people, till they could not discern that the retribution of God would follow upon their corrupt course. Josiah, the youthful reformer, in the fear of God demolished the profane sanctuaries and hideous idols built for heathen worship, and the altars reared for sacrifices to heathen deities. Yet there were still to be seen in Christ's time the memorials of the sad apostasy of the king of Israel and his people (The Health Reformer, April 1878).The Book an Ally in Work of Reform—In his position as king, it was the work of Josiah to carry out in the Jewish nation the principles taught in the Book of the law. This he endeavored to do faithfully. In the Book of the law itself he found a treasure of knowledge, a powerful ally in the work of reform (The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1903).
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(2 Chronicles 34:30). Josiah's View of His Highest Position
—To be a reader of the Book of the law, containing a “Thus saith the Lord,” Josiah regarded as the highest position that he could occupy.... The highest work of princes in Israel,—of physicians, of teachers in our schools, as well as of ministers and those who are in positions of trust in the Lord's institutions,—is to fulfill the responsibility resting upon them to fasten the Scriptures in the minds of the people as a nail in a sure place, to use their God-given talent of influence to impress the truth that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” For the leaders in Israel to extend a knowledge of the Scriptures in all their borders is to promote spiritual health; for God's Word is a leaf from the tree of life (Manuscript 14, 1903).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Prophets - Either Jeremiah, Zephaniah, Urijah: or, the sons of the prophets. It seems he read it himself. Josiah did not think it beneath him, to be a reader, any more than Solomon did to be a preacher, and David to be even a door keeper in the house of God. All people are concerned to know the scripture, and all in authority, to spread the knowledge of it.
McArther Bible Commentary
Book of the Covenant. Although this designation was used in Exo 24:7 with reference to the contents of Exo. 20:22-23:33, it seems here to refer to a larger writing. Since the larger part of the Pentateuch focused on the Mosaic covenant, these five books came to be called thusly. Since all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem were assembled together by Josiah, it seems best to view this as the reading of the whole written law found in Genesis 1 through Deuteronomy 34 (see notes on Deu 31:9, Deu 31:11).
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:10 Deuteronomy 31:11 2 Kings 22:8 Jeremiah 34:8

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah reads the law, and renews the covenant.
Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should only deliver his own soul; yet he does his duty, and leaves the event to God. He engaged the people in the most solemn manner to abolish idolatry, and to serve God in righteousness and true holiness. Though most were formal or hypocritical herein, yet much outward wickedness would be prevented, and they were accountable to God for their own conduct.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(2 Chronicles 34:29-31). Need for a Reform
—Josiah had read to priests and people the Book of the law found in the side of the ark in the house of God. His sensitive conscience was deeply stirred as he saw how far the people had departed from the requirements of the covenant they had made with God. He saw that they were indulging appetite to a fearful extent, and perverting their senses by the use of wine. Men in sacred offices were frequently incapacitated for the duties of their positions, because of their indulgence in wine.Appetite and passion were fast gaining the ascendancy over the reason and judgment of the people, till they could not discern that the retribution of God would follow upon their corrupt course. Josiah, the youthful reformer, in the fear of God demolished the profane sanctuaries and hideous idols built for heathen worship, and the altars reared for sacrifices to heathen deities. Yet there were still to be seen in Christ's time the memorials of the sad apostasy of the king of Israel and his people (The Health Reformer, April 1878).The Book an Ally in Work of Reform—In his position as king, it was the work of Josiah to carry out in the Jewish nation the principles taught in the Book of the law. This he endeavored to do faithfully. In the Book of the law itself he found a treasure of knowledge, a powerful ally in the work of reform (The General Conference Bulletin, April 1, 1903).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Stood - They declared their consent to it, and their concurrence with the king in that act, which possibly they did by standing up, as the king himself stood when he took it. It is of good use, with all possible solemnity, to oblige ourselves to our duty. And he that bears an honest heart, does not startle at assurances.
McArther Bible Commentary
pillar. See note on 2Ki 11:14. a covenant … this covenant. Josiah made a public, binding agreement to completely obey the Lord by doing all that was commanded in the Book of the Covenant that the people had just heard read to them. Following Josiah's example, all the people promised to keep the stipulations of the Mosaic Covenant. See notes on 2Ki 11:17; Exo 24:4-8.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 13:4 2 Kings 11:14 2 Kings 11:17 2 Chronicles 34:31 Jeremiah 34:8 Jeremiah 34:15

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Second order - Either those two who were next in degree to the high - priest, and in case of sickness were to manage his work: or the heads of the twenty four courses which David had appointed. The grove - The image of the grove: it being most frequent to call images by the names of the persons or things which they represent. The fields - Adjoining to the brook of Kidron. To Beth - el - To shew his abhorrence of them, and that he would not give the ashes of them a place in his kingdom: and to pollute and disgrace that place which had been the chief seat and throne of idolatry.
McArther Bible Commentary
Asherah. See note on 2Ki 21:7. the fields of Kidron. Josiah burned everything in the temple that was devoted to idolatry. This was done in the lower portion of the Kidron Valley, east of the city of Jerusalem (cf. 2Ki 23:6). ashes to Bethel. Located about ten miles north of Jerusalem, Bethel was one of the two original places where Jeroboam I established an apostate worship center (1Ki 12:28-33). Bethel was located just north of the border of Judah in the former Northern Kingdom, which was then the Assyrian province of Samaria. With a decline in Assyrian power, Josiah was able to exert his religious influence in the north. He used the ashes of the burned articles of idolatry to desecrate Jeroboam's religious center (cf. 2Ki 23:15-20).
Bible Cross References
John 18:1 2 Kings 21:3 2 Kings 21:5 2 Kings 21:7 2 Kings 23:12 2 Kings 23:15 2 Kings 25:18 2 Chronicles 33:3 2 Chronicles 34:4 Jeremiah 52:24 Ezekiel 8:6

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Priests - Heb. the Chemarim; the highest rank of priests, employed in the highest work, which was to burn incense.
McArther Bible Commentary
constellations. Cf. 2Ki 21:3. The astrologers were also removed. See Isa 47:13.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:3 2 Kings 21:5 2 Chronicles 33:3 2 Chronicles 34:4 Jeremiah 8:2 Ezekiel 8:6 Hosea 10:5 Zephaniah 1:4

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The people - Of that people, those idolatrous people, as it is explained, (2 Chronicles 34:4) .
McArther Bible Commentary
wooden image. The idol of Asherah (see note on 2Ki 21:7). graves of the common people. The Kidron Valley contained a burial ground for the common people (cf. Jer 26:23). Scattering ashes from the object of idolatry is said in 2Ch 34:4 to have been on the graves of those who sacrificed to that idol. The common people had followed their leaders to apostasy, defilement, and damnation-all symbolized by the act of scattering the ashes.
Bible Cross References
John 18:1 1 Kings 2:37 2 Kings 21:7 2 Kings 23:12 2 Kings 23:15 2 Chronicles 33:3 2 Chronicles 34:4 Jeremiah 22:18 Jeremiah 31:40

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Sodomites - Sodomy was a part of idol - worship, being done to the honour of some of their idols, and by the appointment of those impure and diabolical spirits, which were worshipped in their idols. Hangings - Or, curtains, either to draw before the idols which were worshipped in the grove, to preserve them from defilement, or to gain more reverence for them: Or, garments for the service of the grove, for the idols or the priests belonging to them. Heb. houses, that is, either little chappels made of woven work, like those which were made of silver, (Acts 19:24) , within which there were some representations of their grove - idols: or rather, tents made of those curtains for the use above - mentioned.
McArther Bible Commentary
booths. Tents (called "Succoth Benoth" in 2Ki 17:30) used by women who were devoted to Asherah, in which they made hangings and committed sexual sins.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 35:25 Exodus 35:26 Deuteronomy 23:17 1 Kings 14:24 1 Kings 15:12 Ezekiel 16:16

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Priests - Belonging to the high - places following, whether such as worshipped idols; or such as worshipped God in those forbidden places. Defiled - By burning dead mens bones upon them, or by putting them to some other unclean use. From Geba - The northern border of the kingdom of Judah. Beer - sheba - The southern border, from one end to the other. Gates - Which were erected by the gates of the city here mentioned, to the honour of their tutelary gods, whom after the manner of the heathen they owned for the protectors of their city and habitations. The governor - This circumstance is noted to shew Josiah's great zeal and impartiality, in rooting out all monuments of idolatry, without any respects unto those great persons who were concerned in them.
McArther Bible Commentary
Geba to Beersheba. Geba was located about seven miles northeast of Jerusalem at the far north of Judah, and Beersheba was located c. forty-five miles south of Jerusalem at the southern end of Judah. Thus, this phrase was an idiomatic way of saying "throughout all of Judah." Key Word High Places: 2Ki 12:3; 2Ki 14:4; 2Ki 15:4; 2Ki 17:9; 2Ki 23:8, 2Ki 23:15, 2Ki 23:20-often refers to a sacred area located on high ground such as a hill or ridge. Before the temple was built, the Israelites worshiped the true God at high places (1Ki 3:2-4). However, the Israelites began worshiping pagan gods at these sacred sites. Consequently, the term high places in the Old Testament became associated with Israel's religious rebellion and apostasy (1Ki 14:23; Psa 78:58; Jer 19:5).
Bible Cross References
Genesis 21:14 Joshua 21:17 1 Kings 15:22 Ezekiel 44:10

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The priest - Who worshipped the true God there. In Jerusalem - Were not suffered to come thither to the exercise of their priestly function; as a just punishment for the corruption of God's worship, and the transgression of so plain and positive a law of God, (Deuteronomy 12:11) , which was much worse in them who had more knowledge to discern the will of God, and more obligations to observe it. Did eat - Of the meal - offerings, allotted to the priests, wherein there was to be no leaven, (Leviticus 2:4-5) , (Leviticus 2:10-11) , and consequently of other provisions belonging to the priests, which are contained under this one kind. Thus their spiritual blemish puts them into the very same state which corporal blemishes brought them, (Leviticus 21:17) , &c. And thus he mitigates their punishment: he shuts them out from spiritual services, but allows them necessary provisions.
Bible Cross References
Ezekiel 44:10 2 Kings 23:10

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
Children Need Not Be Sacrificed to Moloch
—Religion in the home—what will it not accomplish? It will do the very work that God designed should be done in every family. Children will be brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. They will be educated and trained, not to be society devotees, but members of the Lord's family. They will not be sacrificed to Moloch. Parents will become willing subjects of Christ. Both father and mother will consecrate themselves to the work of properly training the children given them. They will firmly decide to work in the love of God with the utmost tenderness and compassion to save the souls under their guidance. They will not allow themselves to be absorbed with the customs of the world. They will not give themselves up to parties, concerts, dances, to give feasts and attend feasts, because after this manner do the Gentiles (NL No. 29, p. 2).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Topheth - Very near Jerusalem, where was the image of Molech, to whom some sacrificed their children, burning them in the fire, others dedicated them, making them pass between two fires. It is supposed to be called Topheth, from toph, a drum; because they beat drums at the burning of the children, that their shrieks might not be heard.
McArther Bible Commentary
Topheth. Meaning "a drum," it identified the area in the Valley of Hinnom where child sacrifice occurred (cf. Isa 30:33; Jer 7:31-32; Jer 19:5-6). It, perhaps, was called "drum" because drums were beaten to drown out the cries of the children being sacrificed.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 18:21 Joshua 18:16 1 Kings 11:7 Isaiah 30:33 Isaiah 57:5 Jeremiah 7:31 Jeremiah 7:32 Jeremiah 19:2 Jeremiah 19:4 Jeremiah 19:13 Jeremiah 32:35

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Horses - Such the eastern nations used to consecrate to the sun, to signify the swiftness of his motion. The sun - Either, to be sacrificed to the sun: or, to draw those chariots in which the kings, or some other in their stead, went forth every morning to worship the rising sun: for both these were the customs of the Armenians and Persians, as Xenophon testifies. Entering in - By the gate of the outward court of the temple. Chamberlain - Or, officer, to whom the care of these horses were committed. Suburbs - Of the temple: in certain outward buildings belonging to the temple. Chariots - Which were made for the worship of the sun.
McArther Bible Commentary
horses … dedicated to the sun. The horses and the chariots of the sun were probably thought to symbolize the sun blazing a trail across the sky and were a part of worshiping the sun. Recently, a religious shrine with horse figurines has been found in Jerusalem (cf. Eze 8:16).
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 4:19 1 Chronicles 26:18 Job 31:26 Ezekiel 8:16 Ezekiel 40:17

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The top - Upon the roof of the king's house. They were so mad upon their idols, that they were not content with all their publick high places and altars, but made others upon their house - tops, for the worship of the heavenly bodies. Cast - To shew his detestation of them: and to abolish the very remembrance of them.
McArther Bible Commentary
on the roof. Altars were erected on the flat roofs of houses so people could worship the "host of heaven" by burning incense (Jer 19:13; Zep 1:5).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:5 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:6 2 Chronicles 33:5 Jeremiah 19:13 Jeremiah 31:40 Zephaniah 1:5

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(1 Kings 11:4-8). Memorials of Apostasy
—Goodness alone is true greatness. Everyone will transmit a heritage of good or of evil. On the southern eminence of the Mount of Olives were the memorial stones of Solomon's apostasy. Huge idols, unshapely blocks of wood and stone, appeared above the groves of myrtle and olive. Josiah, the youthful reformer, in his religious zeal destroyed these images of Ashtoreth and Chemosh and Moloch, but the broken fragments and masses of ruins remained opposite Mount Moriah, where stood the temple of God. As strangers in after generations asked, “What mean these ruins confronting the temple of the Lord?” they were answered, “There is Solomon's Mount of Offense, where he built altars for idol worship to please his heathen wives” (Letter 8b, 1891).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Corruption - The mount of olives, called the mount of corruption, for the gross idolatry there practiced. Which - Not the same individual altars; which doubtless either Solomon upon his repentance, or some other of Josiah's predecessors had taken away, but other altars built by Manasseh or Amon, which because erected by Solomon's example, and for the same use, and in the same place, are called by his name: this brand is left by the Holy Ghost upon his name and memory, as a just punishment of that abominable practice, and a mean to deter others from the like. Abomination - The idol, so called, because it was abominable, and made them abominable to God.
McArther Bible Commentary
Solomon … had built. Solomon had built high places east of Jerusalem on the Mt. of Olives, renamed after the desecration, to be used in worship of foreign gods, e.g., the fertility goddess Ashtoreth from Sidon, the Moabite god Chemosh, and the Ammonite god Molech (1Ki 11:7). These altars existed for over 300 years before Josiah finally destroyed them. The placing of human bones defiled them and, thus, rendered these sites unclean and unsuitable as places of worship.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 21:29 1 Kings 11:5 1 Kings 11:7 Isaiah 44:19 Jeremiah 11:13

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
He destroys idolatry.
What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of Jesus Christ.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(1 Kings 11:4-8). Memorials of Apostasy
—Goodness alone is true greatness. Everyone will transmit a heritage of good or of evil. On the southern eminence of the Mount of Olives were the memorial stones of Solomon's apostasy. Huge idols, unshapely blocks of wood and stone, appeared above the groves of myrtle and olive. Josiah, the youthful reformer, in his religious zeal destroyed these images of Ashtoreth and Chemosh and Moloch, but the broken fragments and masses of ruins remained opposite Mount Moriah, where stood the temple of God. As strangers in after generations asked, “What mean these ruins confronting the temple of the Lord?” they were answered, “There is Solomon's Mount of Offense, where he built altars for idol worship to please his heathen wives” (Letter 8b, 1891).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Men - Of the idolatrous priests, which he caused to be taken out of their graves, (2 Kings 23:18) . As he carried the ashes of the images to the graves, to mingle them with dead mens bones, so he carried dead mens bones to the places where the images had been, that both ways idolatry might be rendered loathsome. Dead men and dead gods were indeed much alike, and fittest to go together.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 34:13 Deuteronomy 7:5 Deuteronomy 7:25 2 Kings 23:16 Isaiah 44:19 Ezekiel 6:5

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Beth - el - Probably this city was now under the kingdom of Judah, to which it was added by Abijah long since. And it is probable, since the ten tribes were carried away, many cities had put themselves under the protection of Judah. The golden calf, it seems, was gone; but Josiah would leave no remains of that idolatry.
McArther Bible Commentary
the altar … at Bethel. Josiah reduced the altar that Jeroboam I had built at Bethel to dust and ashes (see 1Ki 12:28-33).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 12:28 1 Kings 13:1 1 Kings 13:2 2 Kings 23:4 2 Kings 23:6 2 Chronicles 34:6 Amos 3:14

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Himself - Josiah's care and zeal was so great, that he would not trust his officers with these things, but would see them done with his own eyes. These words - Three hundred years before it was done.
McArther Bible Commentary
tombs. Seeing tombs nearby, perhaps where idolatrous priests were buried, Josiah had their bones removed and burned on the altar at Bethel to defile it. This action fulfilled a prophecy given about the altar approximately 300 years before (1Ki 13:2).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 13:2 2 Kings 23:14 Ezekiel 6:5

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
McArther Bible Commentary
See 1Ki 13:1-32, especially verses 2Ki 23:31-32.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 13:1 1 Kings 13:30 1 Kings 13:31

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
McArther Bible Commentary
Samaria. The former northern kingdom of Israel had become known as Samaria, so named as an Assyrian province (see note on 2Ki 17:24).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 13:11 1 Kings 13:31

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
McArther Bible Commentary
cities of Samaria. The desecration of the high place at Bethel was only the beginning of Josiah's desecration of all the high places in the Assyrian province of Samaria.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 34:6 2 Chronicles 34:7

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The priests - By this relation it appears, that after the departure of the king of Assyria, divers of the Israelites who had retired to other parts, and kept themselves out of the conqueror's hands, returned together with their priests to their own land, and to their old trade, worshipping idols; to whom, peradventure, they ascribed this their deliverance from that judgment which Jehovah had brought upon them. And burnt - According to that famous prophecy, (1 Kings 13:1-2) .
McArther Bible Commentary
executed all the priests. These non-Levitical priests, who led apostate worship in the former Northern Kingdom, were idolaters who seduced God's people into idolatry. They were put to death in accordance with the statutes of Deu 13:6-18; Deu 17:2-7, and their graves were doubly defiled with burned bones.
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 26:30 2 Kings 10:25 2 Kings 11:18 2 Chronicles 34:5

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
McArther Bible Commentary
Such a Passover. Judah's celebration of this Passover (see Deu 16:2-8) more closely conformed to the instructions given in the Mosaic Law than any in the previous 400 years of Israel's history. Though the Passover was observed by Hezekiah (2 Chr. 30), no observance had been in exact conformity to God's law since the judges. Further details of this Passover observance are found in 2Ch 35:1-19.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 12:14 Numbers 9:2 Deuteronomy 16:2 2 Chronicles 35:1 2 Chronicles 35:18

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Such a passover - Celebrated with such solemn care, and great preparation, and numerous sacrifices, and universal joy of all good men; which was much the greater, because of their remembrance of the former wicked and miserable times under Manasseh, and Amon; and the good hopes they now had of the happy establishment of their nation, and the true religion; and of the prevention of God's judgments denounced against them. Judges - Or, from the days of Samuel, the last of the judges; as it is expressed (2 Chronicles 35:18) . None of the kings had taken such care to prepare themselves, the priests, and people, and accurately to observe all the rites, and diligently to purge out all uncleanness, and to renew their covenant with God. And undoubtedly God was pleased to recompense their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. All this concurred to make it such a passover as had not been, even in the days of Hezekiah.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:23 2 Chronicles 35:18 2 Chronicles 35:19

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
McArther Bible Commentary
eighteenth year. C. 622 B.C. All the reforms of Josiah described took place in the same year (cf. 2Ki 22:3).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:22 2 Kings 23:24

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The reformation extended to Israel, A passover kept.
Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God, who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance, filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Images, &c. - Three words noting the same thing, to shew, That all the instruments and monuments of idolatry were destroyed, as God had commanded. Spied - All that were discovered; not only such as were in the place of worship, but such as their priests or zealots had removed, and endeavoured to hide.
McArther Bible Commentary
the book … found. See 2Ki 22:8.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 31:19 Leviticus 19:31 Deuteronomy 18:10 2 Kings 21:6 2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 21:21 2 Kings 22:8 2 Kings 23:23 Isaiah 8:19

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
No king - For his diligent study in God's law, and his exact care, and unwearied industry, and fervent zeal, in rooting out idolators, and all kinds and appearances of idolatry, not only in Judah, but in Israel also; and in the establishment of the true religion in all his dominions, and in the conforming of his own life, and his peoples too, (as far as he could) to the holy law of God: though Hezekiah might excel him in some particulars.
McArther Bible Commentary
no king like him. Of all the kings in David's line, including David himself, no king more closely approximated the royal ideal of Deu 17:14-20 than Josiah (cf. Mat 22:37). Yet, even Josiah fell short of complete obedience because he had multiple wives (cf. 2Ki 23:31, 2Ki 23:36; see note on Gen 2:24). However, even this righteous king could not turn away the Lord's wrath because of Manasseh's sin (2Ki 23:26-27). See chapters 17; 18.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 18:5 Jeremiah 22:15

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Notwithstanding - Because though the king was most hearty in his repentance and acceptable to God, and therefore the judgment was delayed for his time; yet the people were in general corrupt, and secretly averse from Josiah's pious reformation, as appears from the complaints of the prophets, especially Jeremiah and Zephaniah, against them: and by the following history, wherein we see, that as soon as ever Josiah was gone, his children, and the princes, and the people, suddenly and greedily returned to their former abominations. Because - The sins of Manasseh, and for the men of his generation; who concurred with him in his idolatrous and cruel practices, are justly punished in this generation: because of God's sovereign right of punishing sinners when he sees fit: because of that publick declaration of God, that he would visit the iniquity of the fathers upon the children: and principally, because these men had never sincerely repented of their own, nor of their fathers sins.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:11 2 Kings 24:3 2 Kings 24:20 Ezra 10:14 Jeremiah 15:4 Jeremiah 23:20

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
I said - Upon the conditions in sundry places expressed, which they broke, and therefore God justly made them to know his breach of promise.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 18:11 2 Kings 21:13 2 Kings 21:14 2 Kings 23:28 2 Kings 24:2 2 Kings 25:21 Jeremiah 15:4 Jeremiah 23:20 Jeremiah 32:31

Verse 28

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:27 2 Kings 23:29

Verse 29

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(ch. 22:19, 20; 2 Chronicles 34:26-33; 35:20-24). Josiah's Mistake
—Those who will not take God's Word as assurance, need not hope that human wisdom can help them; for human wisdom, aside from God, is like the waves of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. The word of Christ is, “He shall guide you into all truth.” Reject not the light given.Read the history of Josiah. He had done a good work. During his reign idolatry was put down, and apparently successfully uprooted. The temple was reopened and the sacrificial offerings re-established. His work was done well.But at the last he died in battle. Why?—Because he did not heed the warnings given.... [
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
The king, &c. - The king of Babylon, who having formerly rebelled against the Assyrian had now conquered him; as appears by the course of the sacred, and the concurrence of the prophane history; and therefore is here and elsewhere called the Assyrian, and the king of Assyria, because now he was the head of that empire. Euphrates - Against Carchemish by Euphrates, as it is expressed, (2 Chronicles 35:20) , which the Assyrian had taken from Pharaoh's confederates, who therefore sends forces against the Assyrian, that he might both help them, and secure himself. Josiah went - Either to defend his own country from Pharaoh's incursions; or to assist the king of Babylon, with whom he seems to have been in league. Slew - Gave him his death wound there; though he died not 'till he came to Jerusalem. Seen him - When he fought with him, or in the first onset. It does not appear, that Josiah had any clear call to engage in this war; possibly he received his death wound, as a punishment of his rashness.
McArther Bible Commentary
Necho. Pharaoh Necho II (609-594 B.C.) was an ally of Assyria against the growing power of Babylon. For some unstated reason, Josiah was determined to stop Necho and his army from joining the Assyrian army at the Euphrates River to fight Babylon. Megiddo. The well-fortified stronghold overlooking the Jezreel Valley about sixty-five miles north of Jerusalem. Megiddo guarded a strategic pass on the route between Egypt and Mesopotamia. Josiah's death is explained with more detail in 2Ch 35:20-27.
Bible Cross References
Revelation 16:16 Judges 5:19 2 Kings 23:28 2 Kings 23:33 2 Kings 23:34 2 Chronicles 35:20 Jeremiah 46:2 Ezekiel 19:1

Verse 30

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Josiah slain by Pharaoh-Necho.
Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep, unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
EGW SDA Bible Commentary
(ch. 22:19, 20; 2 Chronicles 34:26-33; 35:20-24). Josiah's Mistake
—Those who will not take God's Word as assurance, need not hope that human wisdom can help them; for human wisdom, aside from God, is like the waves of the sea, driven with the wind, and tossed. The word of Christ is, “He shall guide you into all truth.” Reject not the light given.Read the history of Josiah. He had done a good work. During his reign idolatry was put down, and apparently successfully uprooted. The temple was reopened and the sacrificial offerings re-established. His work was done well.But at the last he died in battle. Why?—Because he did not heed the warnings given.... [
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Dead - Mortally wounded. Jehoahaz - Who was younger than Jehoiakim, yet preferred by the people before the elder brother; either because Jehoiakim refused the kingdom for fear of Pharaoh, whom he knew he should hereby provoke. Or because Jehoahaz was the more stout and warlike prince; whence he is called a lion, (Ezekiel 19:3) .
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 9:28 2 Kings 22:20 2 Chronicles 35:20 2 Chronicles 36:1 Jeremiah 22:11 Ezekiel 19:1

Verse 31

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
McArther Bible Commentary
three months. Jehoahaz reigned during 609 B.C., became a prisoner of Pharaoh Necho II, and ultimately died in Egypt. See note on 2Ch 36:1-4.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 24:18 1 Chronicles 3:15 Jeremiah 22:11 Jeremiah 52:1

Verse 32

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
His fathers - His grand - parents, Manasseh, and Amon. He restored that idolatry which his father had destroyed. Jerusalem saw not a good day, after Josiah was laid in his grave; but one trouble came after another, 'till within two and twenty years it was destroyed.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 21:2 2 Kings 23:37

Verse 33

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
In bands - Either, because he presumed to take the kingdom without his consent: or because he renewed the war against Pharaoh.
McArther Bible Commentary
Riblah in the land of Hamath. Jehoahaz was in prison at Pharaoh Necho II's military headquarters located on the Orontes River in the north Lebanon Valley (see note on 2Ki 25:6). silver … gold. The tax imposed on Judah, whose king was imprisoned, was 750 pounds of silver and 7.5 pounds of gold.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 34:11 1 Kings 8:65 2 Kings 23:29 2 Kings 23:35 2 Kings 25:6 2 Kings 25:20 Jeremiah 39:5 Jeremiah 46:2

Verse 34

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Jehoiakim - The giving of names was accounted an act of dominion; which therefore parents did to their children, and conquerors to their vassals or tributaries.
McArther Bible Commentary
Eliakim … Jehoiakim. In 609 B.C., Pharaoh Necho II placed Jehoahaz's older brother on the throne of Judah. Necho changed his name from Eliakim, meaning "God has established," to Jehoiakim, "the Lord has established." The naming of a person was regarded in the ancient Near East as sign of authority; so by naming Jehoiakim, Necho demonstrated that he was the lord who controlled Judah. As a vassal of Egypt, Judah risked attack by Egypt's enemy Babylon. See note on 2Ch 36:5-8.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:29 2 Kings 24:17 1 Chronicles 3:15 2 Chronicles 36:4 Jeremiah 1:3 Jeremiah 22:11 Jeremiah 22:12 Jeremiah 35:1 Ezekiel 19:3 Ezekiel 19:4

Verse 35

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
McArther Bible Commentary
Jehoiakim taxed his people severely to pay tribute to Egypt, though he still had enough to build a magnificent palace for himself (see Jer 22:13-14).
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:33 Lamentations 1:1

Verse 36

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
McArther Bible Commentary
eleven years. -597 B.C.
Bible Cross References
2 Chronicles 36:5 Jeremiah 22:18 Jeremiah 22:19 Jeremiah 26:1

Verse 37

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim.
After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all changes and temptations.
Bible Cross References
2 Kings 23:32 2 Kings 24:19 2 Chronicles 36:5