Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah, is a prominent figure in the biblical narrative, known for his devout commitment to the worship of Yahweh and his significant religious reforms. His account is primarily found in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35. Josiah ascended to the throne at the tender age of eight, following the assassination of his father, Amon. His reign, which lasted from approximately 640 to 609 BC, is marked by a return to the covenantal faithfulness that had been neglected by his predecessors.

Early Reign and Religious Reforms

Josiah's early reign was characterized by a period of spiritual renewal and reform. At the age of sixteen, he began to seek the God of his ancestor David, and by the age of twenty, he initiated a campaign to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry. This included the removal of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images. The biblical account in 2 Chronicles 34:3-5 states, "In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved images, and the cast idols. Then in his presence the altars of the Baals were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them."

Discovery of the Book of the Law

A pivotal moment in Josiah's reign occurred during the eighteenth year of his rule when Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord. This discovery, as recorded in 2 Kings 22:8-11 , profoundly impacted Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Law, he tore his clothes in distress, recognizing the extent to which the nation had strayed from God's commandments. Josiah's response was immediate and decisive; he sought to renew the covenant with the Lord and led the people in a national repentance.

Covenant Renewal and Passover Celebration

Josiah's commitment to the covenant was further demonstrated by his efforts to reinstate the observance of the Passover, which had been neglected for many years. The celebration of the Passover during Josiah's reign was unparalleled, as described in 2 Kings 23:21-23 : "The king commanded all the people, 'Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.' For such a Passover had not been observed since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor throughout all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah."

Legacy and Death

Josiah's reign is often viewed as a high point in the history of Judah, marked by a sincere return to the worship of Yahweh and a rejection of idolatry. His reforms, however, were not enough to avert the impending judgment on Judah due to the sins of previous generations. Josiah's life came to a tragic end when he was killed in battle at Megiddo while attempting to intercept Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. Despite his untimely death, Josiah is remembered as a king who "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left" (2 Kings 22:2).

Josiah's legacy is one of faithfulness and reform, serving as a model of godly leadership and devotion to the covenantal relationship with God. His life and reign continue to inspire those who seek to live in accordance with God's will, demonstrating the power of sincere repentance and the importance of returning to the foundational truths of Scripture.2 Kings 22:1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
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2 Kings 23:1
And the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
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