2 Kings 22:1,2

III. THE REIGN AND REFORMATION OF JOSIAH 22:1-23:27

In view of the corrupt conduct of his father and grandfather, it is surprising that Josiah determined at such an early age to follow the path of righteousness. It has been suggested that the prophet Zephaniah may have exercised considerable influence on the young lad after the assassination of his father. After (1) a brief introduction to his reign (2 Kings 22:1-2), the author describes various developments in the last great reformation in Judah: (2) the Temple repair (2 Kings 22:3-7); (3) the discovery of a lost law-book (2 Kings 22:8-13); (4) the prophetic threat of Huldah (2 Kings 22:14-20); (5) the renewal of the covenant (2 Kings 23:1-3); (6) the intensification of the reformation (2 Kings 23:4-23). To this discussion the author adds (7) an appraisal of the Josianic reformation (2 Kings 23:24-27).

A. INTRODUCTION TO THE REIGN OF JOSIAH 22:1-2

TRANSLATION

(1) Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years; and the name of his mother was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Boseath. (2) And he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD and he walked in all the ways of David his father and did not deviate to the right or to the left.

Fifteenth King of Judah
JOSIAH BEN AMON
640-609 B.C.
(Supported by Yabweb)

2 Kings 22-25; 2 Kings 2 Chronicles 34-35

Contemporary Prophets
Jeremiah; Zephaniah; Huldah
Nahum; Habakkuk

Mother: Jedidah

Appraisal: Excellent

A wise king scatters the wicked, and brings the wheel over them.

Proverbs 20:26

COMMENTS

Josiah was only eight years old when he began to reign. This would mean, since his father died at age twenty-four, that Josiah was born when his father was only sixteen years old. Josiah reigned thirty-one years, from 640 to 609 B.C. (2 Kings 22:1). This was one of the most important periods of world history. The mighty Assyrian empire was crumbling, and the Median and Chaldean empires were forming. It was providential that during this crucial period of history a godly king sat on the throne of David. Concerning Josiah the author of Kings uses an expression used of only one other king, King Hezekiah. He says Josiah did that which was right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father. He never deviated from the right path (2 Kings 22:2).

Josiah, according to the Chronicler, began his reform movement in the eighth year of his reign, and that movement gained momentum in his twelfth year (628 B.C.).[639] At that time the pious young king began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the Asherim and carved images and molten images (2 Chronicles 34:3). The next year Jeremiah the prophet began his ministry which must have given powerful impetus to the king's reform efforts. The reformation reached its climax in the eighteenth year of Josiah (621 B.C.).

[639] The reformation may have proceeded in stages so as to test the reaction of Assyria, which would doubtlessly have regarded such reform as tantamount to rebellion.