2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:2 THE KING WENT UP TO THE HOUSE OF THE
LORD. Since Josiah is a faithful king, Huldah’s message of doom does
not keep him from pursuing religious reform in light of the BOOK OF
THE COVENANT. His first move is to organize a covenant-renewal
ceremony.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:4 The eastern slopes of the KIDRON Valley
had been associated with idolatry since the time of Solomon (1 Kings
11:7). It was a convenient place to destroy cult objects, thereby
desecrating the valley itself as a religious site. On MALE CULT
PROSTITUTES (2 Kings 23:7), see... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:8 DEFILED THE HIGH PLACES WHERE THE
PRIESTS HAD MADE OFFERINGS. These were local places of worship in
various cities (see note on 1 Kings 3:2).
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:10 The VALLEY OF THE SON OF HINNOM ran
along the western and southern sides of ancient Jerusalem until it met
the Kidron Valley running from north to south. It is associated with
the worship of MOLECH (see note on 1 Kings 11:7–8) at the site named
TOPHETH. “Hinnom Valley”... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:11 HORSES THAT THE KINGS OF JUDAH HAD
DEDICATED TO THE SUN. The practice of dedicating horses to the sun
appears to have been an Assyrian custom.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:12 ALTARS ON THE ROOF. The roof is a
natural location for worship of the stars (see 2 Kings 16:1).
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:13 Because idolatrous altars were there,
the Mount of Olives is here called the MOUNT OF CORRUPTION. ASHTORETH
is the biblical name for Astarte or Venus. On CHEMOSH and MILCOM, see
notes on 1 Kings 11:5; 11:7–8.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:14 HE BROKE IN PIECES THE PILLARS. Josiah
destroys all the buildings associated with idol worship.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:15 ALTAR AT BETHEL. Josiah not only
destroys but also defiles (vv. 2 Kings 23:8, 2 Kings 23:10, 2 Kings
23:13) the altar by placing pagan religious objects close to graves
and human bones (vv. 2 Kings 23:6, 2 Kings 23:14). This fulfills the
prophecy of... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:22 A PASSOVER like this had not been
observed SINCE THE DAYS OF THE JUDGES (see Joshua 5:10 for the last
mention of Passover and Deuteronomy 16:1, especially v. 2 Kings 23:6,
for instructions for Passover).
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:24 MEDIUMS and NECROMANCERS try to get
information by inquiring of the dead. The HOUSEHOLD GODS were images
of deities that were either life-size (1 Samuel 19:13) or
figurine-size (Genesis 31:19). They were usually made of wood and
covered with metal and precious stones.... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:25 Despite several generations of
idolatry and rebellion against the Lord, somehow Josiah was a
righteous king who TURNED TO THE LORD WITH ALL HIS HEART.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:26 Though Josiah was righteous, this did
not turn away God’s WRATH from the nation. God will use exile to
purify his people of deeply rooted unfaithfulness.
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2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:28 PHARAOH NECO KILLED HIM AT MEGIDDO.
This battle took place in 609 B.C. Pharaoh Neco II marched north for
what was apparently the last joint Assyrian-Egyptian military effort
against the Babylonians and their allies, the Medes. Megiddo
controlled the main international h... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:31 The End of Judah. The story of 1–2
Kings now ends as Babylon becomes the great world power. The
Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and carry its treasures and its people
to Babylon. The survival of Josiah’s grandson Jehoiachin offers what
little hope exists for the future of... [ Continue Reading ]
2 KINGS—NOTE ON 2 KINGS 23:36 The Egyptians replace Jehoahaz with
his brother JEHOIAKIM. He faces the armies of BABYLON that have just
defeated Assyria and are now invading Palestine on their way to Egypt.
Babylon’s king NEBUCHADNEZZAR was never able to defeat Egypt
completely but he made certain th... [ Continue Reading ]