Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
2 Kings 23:1
CHAPTER XXIII
Josiah reads in the temple to the elders of Judah, the priests,
the prophets, and the people, the book of the covenant which
had been found, 1, 2.
He makes a covenant, and the people stand to it, 3.
He destroys the vessels of Baal and Asherah, and puts down the
idolatrous priests; breaks down the houses of the sodomites,
and the high places; defiles Topheth; takes away the horses of
the sun; destroys the altars of Ahaz; breaks in pieces the
images; and breaks down and burns Jeroboam's altar at Beth-el,
4-15.
Fulfils the word of the prophet, who cried against the altar at
Beth-el, 16-18.
Destroys the high places in Samaria, slays the idolatrous
priests, and celebrates a great passover, 19-23;
and puts away all the dealers with familiar spirits, c., 24.
His eminent character he is mortally wounded at Megiddo, and
buried at Jerusalem, 25-30.
Jehoahaz reigns in his stead, and does evil in the sight of the
Lord, 31, 32.
Is dethroned by Pharaoh-nechoh; and Eliakim, his brother, called
also Jehoiakim, made king in his stead; the land is laid under
tribute by the king of Egypt, and Jehoiakim reigns wickedly,
33-37.
NOTES ON CHAP. XXIII