Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of Judah and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, where the priests had burned incense. He tore down the high places of the gates at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was to the left of the city gate. Then Josiah brought all the priests from the cities of JudahJosiah gathered the priests who had served at unauthorized shrines throughout Judah and brought them to Jerusalem. Although these men had participated in unlawful worship, the king placed them under the oversight of the temple rather than allowing the high-place system to continue. Their removal upheld the command that Israel’s sacrifices belong at the place the Lord chose for His name. Jos 21:13 So to the descendants of Aaron the priest…
Jos 21:19 In all, thirteen cities, together with their pasturelands…
2Ch 31:15 Under his authority, Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, …
and desecrated the high places, from Geba to Beersheba, Geba marked Judah’s northern extent and Beersheba its southern border. Josiah’s reform therefore reached the whole kingdom, not merely Jerusalem and its surrounding towns. He rendered the shrines unfit for worship, carrying out God’s command to tear down places devoted to false worship and divided loyalty. 2Ki 18:4 He removed the high places, shattered the sacred pillars…
2Ch 17:6 And his heart took delight in the ways of the LORD;…
Hos 10:8 The high places of Aven will be destroyed—…
where the priests had burned incense. Incense belonged to the worship ordered by God at His sanctuary, but these priests had offered it at places God had not authorized. Their actions illustrate how practices that outwardly resembled true worship could become rebellion when separated from God’s appointed way. 1Ki 12:31-33 Jeroboam also built shrines on the high places…
2Ki 17:11 They burned incense on all the high places…
Hos 4:13 They sacrifice on the mountaintops and burn offerings…
He tore down the high places of the gates Idolatrous shrines stood even near city gates, where civic life, judgment, trade, and public gatherings took place. False worship had entered the ordinary life of Judah and gained visible acceptance. Josiah removed these centers of corruption from the places where the people assembled. 2Ch 14:3 He removed the foreign altars and high places,…
2Ch 34:4 Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down…
Ezk 6:6 Wherever you live, the cities will be laid waste…
at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, The shrine’s location near the gate associated with Joshua, an official of the city, shows how deeply such compromise had become embedded among Judah’s leaders and institutions. Josiah’s cleansing did not spare prominent locations or accepted customs. 1Ki 22:26 And the king of Israel declared, “Take Micaiah”…
2Ch 18:25 And the king of Israel declared, “Take Micaiah”…
which was to the left of the city gate. The precise description preserves the historical character of the account and emphasizes the deliberate scope of Josiah’s actions. He addressed idolatry wherever it had taken root, seeking to restore Judah to covenant faithfulness before the Lord. Rut 4:1 Meanwhile, Boaz went to the gate and sat down there.…
Amo 5:10 There are those who hate the one who reproves in the gate…
Pro 31:23 Her husband is known at the city gates,…
Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. 2. PriestsReligious leaders who were involved in the worship practices at the high places, which Josiah sought to reform. 3. Cities of JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Josiah implemented his reforms. 4. Geba to BeershebaA geographical span indicating the extent of Josiah's reforms across the land of Judah. 5. High PlacesSites of worship, often on elevated ground, where unauthorized religious practices took place. 6. Gate of JoshuaA specific location in the city where high places were torn down, indicating the thoroughness of Josiah's reforms. Teaching Points Commitment to God's WordJosiah's actions were driven by his commitment to the Book of the Law. We should prioritize Scripture in guiding our lives. Courage in LeadershipJosiah demonstrated courage by confronting entrenched religious practices. We are called to lead with courage, even when it challenges the status quo. Thoroughness in ReformJosiah's reforms were comprehensive, from Geba to Beersheba. In our spiritual lives, we should be thorough in removing sin and idolatry. Community ImpactJosiah's reforms affected the entire community. Our faith should have a positive impact on those around us. Fulfillment of ProphecyJosiah's actions fulfilled prophecy, reminding us of God's sovereignty and faithfulness to His word. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Josiah's commitment to the Book of the Law challenge us to prioritize Scripture in our daily lives? 2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage in our leadership roles, whether in the church, workplace, or home? 3. What "high places" or idols might we need to tear down in our own lives to fully commit to God? 4. How can our personal spiritual reforms positively impact our community and those around us? 5. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Josiah's actions encourage us to trust in God's promises today? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 22Provides context for Josiah's reforms, including the discovery of the Book of the Law, which prompted his actions. Deuteronomy 12Outlines God's command to destroy high places and worship Him in the place He chooses, which Josiah was fulfilling. 1 Kings 13Prophesies the coming of Josiah and his actions against the high places, showing the fulfillment of God's word. Jeremiah 7Critiques the false security in temple worship while engaging in idolatry, which Josiah sought to correct. 2 Chronicles 34Offers a parallel account of Josiah's reforms, providing additional details and insights. 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 Beersheba, Beer-sheba, Brake, Bringeth, Broke, Broken, Burned, Burning, Burnt, Cities, Defiled, Defileth, Desecrated, Doorway, Entered, Entering, Entrance, Evil, Gate, Gates, Geba, Governor, Incense, Jerusalem, Joshua, Judah, Man's, Offerings, One's, Opening, Perfume, Places, Priests, Pulled, Ruler, Shrines, Spirits, Town, Towns, UncleanDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 23:8 5323 gate
5327 governors
7374 high places
7386 incense 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 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 23:8 NIV2 Kings 23:8 NLT2 Kings 23:8 ESV2 Kings 23:8 NASB2 Kings 23:8 KJV
2 Kings 23:8 Commentaries
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