2 Chronicles 35:1-27

This chapter gives us the story of the great Passover, in which, following in the steps of Hezekiah, after the cleansing of the land and the restoration of the people Josiah thus restored the great feast of the Exodus.

In the account of the joy following the Passover of Hezekiah, comparison is made with the times of Solomon. Under Josiah this goes further back than Solomon, and declares that none like it was kept by any king.

Following the story of his death we read of the lamentation of the people. Josiah had evidently made himself greatly beloved by them, and the probability is that the reforms he instituted were based on that love rather than on the people's real return to devotion to God. Hence the transitory nature of the reformation, which was so soon followed by the final stages in the corruption even in Judah.