Charles (Chuck) Kensinger

Eight-year-old Josiah becomes King when Amon, his father, dies in 2 Kings 22.  Josiah follows David’s example and follows Jehovah. A renovation of the temple is attempted. Funds have been collected and the work is done. During the work they discover the Book of the Law in the Temple. The King recognizes that the Israelites have failed to follow these laws. Amon’s actions will not prevent the destruction of Jerusalem and Judah. He will be allowed to pass before this happens.

As in second Chronicles, King Josiah has the Law read to everyone at Jerusalem in 2 Kings 23. The Covenant with Jehovah is renewed, and the Temple is cleansed of the desecration that had been brought in. Even male prostitutes were living in the sacred building. Altars and worship sites all over Judah are destroyed. We are reminded of the proclamation of the Man of God from earlier in the scripture. Once again, Yahweh’s messenger has been proven accurate.

The Passover celebration we read of previously is again explained. The death of Josiah at the hands of Pharaoh Necho is confirmed. Jehoahaz follows as King of Judah but does not last and is replaced by his uncle Eliakim. Pharaoh changes his name to Jehoiakim as the next monarch. Neither of Josiah’s successors followed him as a good King.

In Josiah’s sixteenth year 2 Chronicles 34 tells us he began to follow Yahweh. As a twenty-year old Josiah of Judah purges Judah of the worship places for idols. In his twenty-six year he rebuilds the Temple and the law is recovered. As we read in 2 Kings 22 they go to a prophetess of the Lord and ask what Yahweh’s will is. She is the one that tells Josiah that he will not live to see the punishment of Judah. Here we are told that the King has the Law read to the people. The covenant is renewed and all promise to follow God’s word. For the rest of Josiah’s life, the Israelites obeyed the King and the Lord.

We continue with Josiah in 2 Chronicles 35. The Ark of the Covenant is returned to the Temple and the Passover is celebrated. The Passover feast is described as like what was done at the time of Samuel. None of the kings had celebrated like this. We are told here of Josiah disobeying Jehovah and fighting King Necho of Egypt. He is killed in the battle. It is the punishment that Necho predicted.

©Copyright 2020 by Charles Kensinger