Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. Just as Josiah had done at Bethel,Bethel stood as a lasting monument to Jeroboam’s rebellion, where the altar condemned by the man of God was destroyed in fulfillment of 1 Kings 13:2. Josiah treated its defilement not as an isolated reform but as the pattern for cleansing the whole land. 1Ki 12:29-30 One calf he set up in Bethel, and the other in Dan.…
1Ki 13:1-2 Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar…
Amo 3:14 On the day I punish Israel for their transgressions,…
so also in the cities of Samaria Assyria had conquered the Northern Kingdom in 722 BC, but Josiah extended his covenantal reforms into its former territory. His actions recognized the northern tribes as part of Israel’s spiritual inheritance and confronted the idolatry that had contributed to their exile. 2Ki 17:9-11 The Israelites secretly did things against the LORD…
Hos 10:5-6 The people of Samaria will fear for the calf of Beth-aven.…
2Ch 34:6-7 Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh…
he removed all the shrines of the high places These local sanctuaries had blended the worship of the LORD with pagan practices and diverted the people from the worship God commanded. Josiah dismantled the places that had sustained generations of unfaithfulness. 2Ki 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars…
2Ch 34:3-4 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young,…
2Ch 31:1 When all this had ended, the Israelites in attendance…
set up by the kings of Israel Beginning with Jeroboam, Israel’s rulers established rival worship centers to keep their people from going to Jerusalem. Political self-interest became a source of national apostasy, and succeeding kings preserved what God had forbidden. 1Ki 12:31-33 Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places…
1Ki 13:33-34 Even after these events, Jeroboam did not repent…
2Ki 10:29 but he did not turn away from the sins…
who had provoked the LORD to anger. Israel’s idolatry violated the covenant and brought the judgment recorded in 2 Kings 17. Josiah’s thorough removal of these shrines showed repentance expressed through obedience and a desire to restore undivided devotion to the LORD. 1Ki 14:9-10 You have done more evil than all who came before you.…
1Ki 15:30 because of the sins Jeroboam had committed…
2Ki 17:11 They burned incense on all the high places…
Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe King of Judah known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore true worship of Yahweh. He is noted for his zeal in eradicating idolatry from the land. 2. BethelA significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, known for its association with idolatrous worship, particularly the golden calf set up by Jeroboam. 3. High PlacesElevated sites often used for idol worship, which were prevalent throughout Israel and Judah. These were contrary to the worship of Yahweh as prescribed in the Law. 4. Kings of IsraelRefers to the rulers of the Northern Kingdom who led the people into idolatry, provoking God's anger. 5. SamariaThe capital of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, representing the center of political and religious life, often associated with idolatrous practices. Teaching Points Zeal for True WorshipJosiah's actions demonstrate the importance of zealously pursuing true worship and eradicating idolatry from our lives. Believers are called to examine their hearts and remove anything that competes with their devotion to God. Obedience to God's WordJosiah's reforms were driven by his discovery of the Book of the Law. This highlights the transformative power of Scripture and the necessity of aligning our lives with God's Word. Leadership and InfluenceJosiah's leadership had a profound impact on the nation. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to guide others toward righteousness and the worship of the true God. Repentance and RenewalThe removal of high places symbolizes repentance and a return to covenant faithfulness. Believers are encouraged to continually seek renewal and repentance in their walk with God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Josiah's removal of the high places in Samaria reflect his commitment to God, and what can we learn from his example about dealing with sin in our own lives? 2. In what ways does the account of Josiah challenge us to examine the "high places" or idols in our own hearts and lives today? 3. How does Josiah's response to the Book of the Law inform our understanding of the role of Scripture in guiding our actions and decisions? 4. What parallels can we draw between Josiah's leadership and the responsibilities of spiritual leaders today in promoting true worship and obedience to God? 5. How can we apply the principles of repentance and renewal demonstrated by Josiah in our personal spiritual journey and in our communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 22Provides context for Josiah's reforms, including the discovery of the Book of the Law, which spurred his actions against idolatry. 1 Kings 12Describes Jeroboam's establishment of golden calves at Bethel and Dan, setting a precedent for idolatry in Israel. Deuteronomy 12Outlines God's command to destroy places of idol worship and centralize worship in the place He chooses, which Josiah sought to obey. 2 Chronicles 34Offers a parallel account of Josiah's reforms, emphasizing his commitment to the covenant and the eradication of idolatry. People Ahaz, Ammonites, Ashtoreth, Ben, Chemosh, Eliakim, Hamutal, Hilkiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Jeroboam, Joshua, Josiah, Manasseh, Melech, Milcom, Moabites, Molech, Nathan, Nathanmelech, Nebat, Pedaiah, Pharaoh, Pharaohnechoh, Sidonians, Sodomites, Solomon, Zebudah, ZidoniansPlaces Assyria, Beersheba, Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Geba, Hamath, Jerusalem, Kidron, Libnah, Megiddo, Moab, Riblah, Rumah, Samaria, Topheth, Valley of HinnomTopics Acts, Anger, Aside, Bethel, Beth-el, Built, Cities, Deeds, Defiled, Houses, Josiah, Josi'ah, Kings, Moving, Places, Provoke, Provoked, Provoking, Removed, Samaria, Sama'ria, Shrines, Towns, WrathDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 23:19 1025 God, anger of
7348 defilement
7560 Samaritans, the 2 Kings 23:1-20 7241 Jerusalem, significance 2 Kings 23:1-24 8466 reformation 2 Kings 23:1-25 5345 influence
7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 23:4-20 4906 abolition 2 Kings 23:8-20 7442 shrine 2 Kings 23:15-20 7302 altar Library Reformation Lessons
Eversley. 1861. 2 Kings xxiii. 3, 4, 25, 26. "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. 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 …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other SermonsWhether the Old Law was Suitably Given at the Time of Moses?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not suitably given at the time of Moses. Because the Old Law disposed man for the salvation which was to come through Christ, as stated above ([2068]AA[2],3). But man needed this salutary remedy immediately after he had sinned. Therefore the Law should have been given immediately after sin. Objection 2: Further, the Old Law was given for the sanctification of those from whom Christ was to be born. Now the promise concerning the "seed, which is Christ" …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Should have Been Born in Bethlehem?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been born in Bethlehem. For it is written (Is. 2:3): "The law shall come forth from Sion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." But Christ is truly the Word of God. Therefore He should have come into the world at Jerusalem. Objection 2: Further, it is said (Mat. 2:23) that it is written of Christ that "He shall be called a Nazarene"; which is taken from Is. 11:1: "A flower shall rise up out of his root"; for "Nazareth" is interpreted "a flower." …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prophets Always Know the Things which they Prophesy?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophets always know the things which they prophesy. For, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9), "those to whom signs were shown in spirit by means of the likenesses of bodily things, had not the gift of prophecy, unless the mind was brought into action, so that those signs were also understood by them." Now what is understood cannot be unknown. Therefore the prophet is not ignorant of what he prophesies. Objection 2: Further, the light of prophecy surpasses …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Prophecy which is Accompanied by Intellective and Imaginative vision is More Excellent than that which is Accompanied by Intellective vision Alone?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophecy which has intellective and imaginative vision is more excellent than that which is accompanied by intellective vision alone. For Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9): "He is less a prophet, who sees in spirit nothing but the signs representative of things, by means of the images of things corporeal: he is more a prophet, who is merely endowed with the understanding of these signs; but most of all is he a prophet, who excels in both ways," and this refers …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Fall of Solomon
'For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
'And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord. 10. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
"And they entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart, and all their soul."--2 CHRON. xv. 12 (see xxxiv. 31, and 2 Kings xxiii. 3). "The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."--DEUT. xxx. 6. "And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall turn to Me with their whole heart."--JER. xxiv. 7 (see xxix. 13). …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 23:19 NIV2 Kings 23:19 NLT2 Kings 23:19 ESV2 Kings 23:19 NASB2 Kings 23:19 KJV
2 Kings 23:19 Commentaries
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