Topical Bible: Children: Josiah

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Introduction:
Josiah, a significant figure in the Old Testament, was the sixteenth king of Judah and is remembered for his piety and dedication to the worship of Yahweh. His reign is notable for the religious reforms he implemented, which were aimed at restoring the worship of the God of Israel and eradicating idolatry. Josiah's account is primarily found in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne:
Josiah was born to King Amon and Queen Jedidah. He ascended to the throne at the tender age of eight following the assassination of his father, Amon. Despite his youth, Josiah's reign was marked by a sincere commitment to the ways of the Lord, a stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of his predecessors.

Religious Reforms:
Josiah's most notable contribution was his extensive religious reforms. In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah ordered the repair of the Temple in Jerusalem. During this restoration, the Book of the Law was discovered by Hilkiah the high priest. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply moved and tore his clothes in repentance, recognizing the nation's departure from God's commandments (2 Kings 22:11).

Josiah then initiated a covenant renewal, pledging to follow the Lord and keep His commandments with all his heart and soul. He led the people of Judah in a national repentance and reformation, purging the land of idolatrous practices and high places. The king destroyed the altars of Baal, Asherah poles, and other pagan symbols, and he reinstituted the Passover, which had not been observed in such a manner since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:21-23).

Legacy and Death:
Josiah's reign is often highlighted as a period of spiritual revival in Judah. The Bible commends him for his unparalleled devotion: "Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him" (2 Kings 23:25).

Despite his reforms, Josiah's life ended tragically. He was killed in battle at Megiddo when he attempted to intercept Pharaoh Necho of Egypt, who was on his way to assist the Assyrians against Babylon (2 Kings 23:29). His death was deeply mourned by the people of Judah, and he was buried with honor in Jerusalem.

Significance:
Josiah's life serves as a powerful example of youthful leadership and the impact of sincere devotion to God. His account underscores the importance of adhering to God's Word and the potential for spiritual renewal even in times of widespread apostasy. Josiah's reforms, though unable to prevent the eventual downfall of Judah, left a lasting legacy of faithfulness and obedience to the Lord.

Nave's Topical Index

2 Chronicles 34:1-3
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Young Josiah and the Book of the Law
... And Josiah went up to the temple of Jehovah, and with him all the men of ... as well
as the priests and the prophets and all the people, including the children. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/the young josiah and the.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... At the time Josiah began to rule, and for many years before, the truehearted in
Judah were questioning whether ... God answered the cry of His loyal children. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... In conclusion, my brethren, I would have you observe in what Josiah's chief excellence
lay. ... John adds his testimony: "Little children, let no man deceive you. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

The Children's Bible
The Children's Bible. <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... JEREMIAH'S
CALL TO DO A HARD TASK. THE YOUNG JOSIAH AND THE BOOK OF THE LAW. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... arrest of the strong tide running in the opposite direction; and Josiah's was too ...
tragical than the working of the law which often sets the children's teeth on ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

The Captivity.
... Josiah, being a tributary of Babylon, thought it his duty to endeavour to stop him ...
of the royal family, to Babylon, among them the four holy children, but he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

The Writing of an Ancient Book
The Children's Bible. <. ... THE OLD TESTAMENT THE WRITING OF AN ANCIENT BOOK.
When Jehoiakim, the son of Josiah, had been ruler for four years, this ...
/.../sherman/the childrens bible/the writing of an ancient.htm

Reformation Lessons
... Josiah was killed in battle"by his own fault too"by Pharaoh Nechoh, King of Egypt ...
siege in which it is said mothers ate their own children through extremity ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm

Jeremiah
... and shalt not turn away from Me." "Return, ye backsliding children, and I ... The
reformation under Josiah had cleansed the land of the idolatrous shrines, but the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 34 jeremiah.htm

Was Moses "A Literary Fiction"?
... to Malachi reiterated the same belief, sung and taught it to their children. Were
they mistaken? The finding of the Pentateuch during Josiah's reign, which had ...
/.../iii was moses a literary.htm