# Overview 2 Kings Chapter 23 is a profound chapter that details the reformations under the reign of #KingJosiah, a faithful king of #Judah. It begins with Josiah's reading of the Book of the Covenant to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and Judah, leading to the renewal of the covenant with the #LORD. In his commitment to the LORD, Josiah orders the removal and destruction of all idolatrous practices and objects, including the high places, Asherah poles, and shrines, which had proliferated under previous kings. This chapter emphasizes Josiah's zealousness in purging the land of idolatry and restoring the worship of the LORD. The king also reinstates the celebration of the #Passover, a significant act of obedience and remembrance of God's deliverance of #Israel from #Egypt, which had not been observed with such fervor since the days of the #Judges. The chapter also highlights the fulfillment of the prophecy against the altar at #Bethel, originally spoken by a man of God during the reign of #Jeroboam. Josiah fulfills this prophecy by desecrating the altar and burning human bones upon it, a symbol of total destruction. Despite Josiah’s reforms, the chapter concludes on a somber note, as the LORD's fierce anger against Judah remains due to the sins of #Manasseh. Eventually, Josiah meets his end in battle at #Megiddo, and his death marks the beginning of the decline of Judah, leading towards its eventual exile. The chapter serves as both a testament to Josiah's righteous leadership and a sobering reminder of the enduring consequences of sin and disobedience to God. ## Theological Insights 2 Kings 23 provides profound theological insights into the nature of #covenant renewal, the seriousness of #idolatry, and the implications of #repentance and reform in the life of #Israel. The chapter is centered around King #Josiah's reform, which is a pivotal moment in the spiritual history of Judah. 1. **Covenant Renewal**: The chapter begins with King Josiah's reading of the #BookoftheLaw to all the people and renewing the covenant before the Lord (2 Kings 23:1-3). This act underscores the importance of returning to the foundational commitments made by Israel at #Sinai and the need for periodic renewal as a means of national and spiritual revival. The public reading of the law mirrors the earlier covenant renewal ceremonies found in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 31]] and highlights the centrality of God's Word in guiding and shaping the community of faith. 2. **Idolatry and Reform**: Josiah's sweeping reforms (2 Kings 23:4-20) demonstrate the seriousness with which idolatry is addressed in the biblical narrative. The removal of altars, idols, and high places, including those established by previous kings such as #Manasseh and #Solomon, illustrates the need for complete eradication of idolatrous practices to restore proper worship of Yahweh. This highlights the first commandment's emphasis on exclusive devotion to God (see [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 20]]). 3. **Passover Celebration**: The observance of the #Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23) is significant as it re-establishes a central act of remembrance and worship that commemorates Israel's deliverance from Egypt. This celebration not only honors the past but reinforces the identity of Israel as God's redeemed people, echoing the instructions given in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12]] and reaffirming their unique relationship with Yahweh. 4. **Judgment and Mercy**: Despite Josiah's faithful actions, the chapter ends with a reminder of the impending judgment due to the sins of #Manasseh (2 Kings 23:26-27). This speaks to the tension between divine judgment and mercy, and the irrevocable consequences of prolonged disobedience. It serves as a sobering reminder that while individual repentance can delay judgment, communal sin can have lasting repercussions, resonating with themes found in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 15]]. 5. **Leadership and Legacy**: The death of Josiah (2 Kings 23:28-30) marks the end of a righteous reign and the beginning of a rapid decline leading to the Babylonian exile. His legacy of faithfulness contrasts sharply with his successors, highlighting the impact of godly leadership and the necessity for each generation to choose faithfulness anew. This echoes the cyclical pattern of leadership seen throughout the history of Israel in the books of the Kings and Judges. Overall, 2 Kings 23 highlights the continuous need for #renewal and #reformation in the face of spiritual decline. It calls believers to a life of faithful obedience, rooted in Scripture, and warns of the dangers of complacency and idolatry. ## Thematic Connections ### Covenant Renewal and Reform In 2 Kings 23, the theme of covenant renewal is central as #KingJosiah reads the Book of the Covenant to all the people and leads them in renewing their commitment to the #LORD. This echoes the covenant renewals found in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 24]], where #Moses reads the Book of the Covenant to the Israelites, and they commit to follow the LORD's commands. Josiah's reforms abolishing idolatry across the land also parallel the reforms of #Hezekiah in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 18]], emphasizing the importance of fidelity to God's covenant. ### Elimination of Idolatry Josiah’s actions in purging #Judah and #Jerusalem of idolatry resonate with similar efforts by previous kings like #Hezekiah in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 18]]. The destruction of high places, altars, and Asherah poles echoes the charge given to #Israel in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 12]] to destroy all the places where the nations worshiped their gods. This theme highlights the ongoing struggle against idolatry within Israel's history and the need for continual reformation to maintain purity in worship. ### Prophetic Fulfillment The fulfillment of prophecy is a recurring theme as Josiah’s actions fulfill the prophecy made by the unnamed prophet from Judah in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 13]] concerning the altar at Bethel. This connection demonstrates the reliability of God's word spoken through His prophets and serves as a testament to the LORD's sovereignty over history. ### The Role of Leadership in Spiritual Direction Josiah’s leadership in bringing about religious reform underscores the significant influence of a godly leader in steering the spiritual direction of a nation. This theme is also seen in the leadership of figures such as #David, who unified the tribes of Israel and established Jerusalem as the center of worship in [[2 Samuel/2 Samuel Chapter 5]], and #Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and received the Law on Mount Sinai in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19]]. ### Judgment and Mercy Despite Josiah's reforms, the chapter concludes with the LORD’s determination to bring judgment upon Judah for the sins of #Manasseh and the people’s persistent disobedience, echoing the themes of judgment and mercy found in [[Genesis/Genesis Chapter 6]] with the flood and [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 32]] with the golden calf incident. This dual theme illustrates the tension between God's justice and mercy, emphasizing that while God desires repentance and restoration, persistent rebellion leads to judgment. ## Prophetic Fulfillments ### The Covenant Renewal In 2 Kings Chapter 23, King #Josiah leads a covenant renewal in #Judah, fulfilling the prophecies concerning the need for a return to the covenantal faithfulness to #God. This renewal echoes the call to return to the covenant made at #MountSinai, as seen in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 19|Exodus 19:5-6]], where God establishes Israel as His treasured possession if they obey Him. Josiah's actions fulfill the prophetic warnings and calls for repentance found throughout the books of the prophets, such as in [[Jeremiah/Jeremiah Chapter 3|Jeremiah 3:12-14]], where the call to return to the Lord is emphasized. ### The Destruction of Idolatry The removal and destruction of idolatrous practices in 2 Kings 23 fulfill the commands given in the #Law, specifically in the #DeuteronomicCode, which instructed the Israelites to destroy all idolatrous altars and high places, as seen in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 12|Deuteronomy 12:2-3]]. This act of purging idolatry aligns with the prophetic warnings against idolatry and its consequences, such as those found in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 44|Isaiah 44:9-20]], where the futility of idols is highlighted. ### The Fulfillment of the Prophecy Against the Altar at Bethel Josiah's actions also fulfill the prophecy given by the unnamed prophet from #Judah in [[1 Kings/1 Kings Chapter 13|1 Kings 13:1-2]], who foretold the desecration of the altar at #Bethel. Josiah not only defiles the altar but also fulfills the specific prediction that human bones would be burned on it. This act serves to validate the prophetic word spoken generations earlier, emphasizing the certainty of God’s word through His prophets. ### The Observance of the Passover The celebration of the #Passover in accordance with the Law, as described in 2 Kings 23, fulfills the divine ordinance given in [[Exodus/Exodus Chapter 12|Exodus 12:14-20]]. This observance is a return to the foundational event of Israel's identity as God's chosen people, reinforcing the prophetic theme of remembering and upholding the covenant relationship with God, as reiterated in [[Deuteronomy/Deuteronomy Chapter 16|Deuteronomy 16:1-8]]. Josiah's Passover celebration is portrayed as unparalleled since the days of the judges, emphasizing a return to covenant fidelity. ### The Prophetic Judgment on Judah Despite Josiah's reforms, 2 Kings 23 also acknowledges the looming prophetic judgment on #Judah due to #Manasseh's sins, as foretold in [[2 Kings/2 Kings Chapter 21|2 Kings 21:10-15]]. This judgment underscores the irrevocable nature of God’s pronouncement due to persistent disobedience, reflecting the prophetic warnings of judgment for unfaithfulness found throughout the prophetic books, such as in [[Isaiah/Isaiah Chapter 39|Isaiah 39:6-7]]. Josiah's reforms delay but do not nullify the prophesied consequences of Judah’s idolatry and rebellion. ## Verses - **2 Kings 23:1** - "Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem." - **2 Kings 23:2** - "And the king went up to the Temple of the Lord with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Lord’s Temple." - **2 Kings 23:3** - "The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the Lord’s presence. He pledged to obey the Lord by keeping all his commands, laws, and decrees with all his heart and soul. In this way, he confirmed all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll, and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant." - **2 Kings 23:4** - "Then the king instructed Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the Temple gatekeepers to remove from the Lord’s Temple all the articles that were used to worship Baal, Asherah, and all the powers of the heavens. The king had all these things burned outside Jerusalem on the terraces of the Kidron Valley, and he carried the ashes away to Bethel." - **2 Kings 23:5** - "He did away with the idolatrous priests, who had been appointed by the previous kings of Judah, for they had offered sacrifices at the pagan shrines throughout Judah and even in the vicinity of Jerusalem. They had also offered sacrifices to Baal and the sun, the moon, the constellations, and all the powers of the heavens." - **2 Kings 23:6** - "The king removed the Asherah pole from the Lord’s Temple and took it outside Jerusalem to the Kidron Valley, where he burned it. Then he ground the ashes of the pole to dust and threw the dust over the graves of the people." - **2 Kings 23:7** - "He also tore down the living quarters of the male and female shrine prostitutes that were inside the Temple of the Lord, where the women wove coverings for the Asherah pole." - **2 Kings 23:8** - "Josiah brought to Jerusalem all the priests who were living in other towns of Judah. He also defiled the pagan shrines, where they had offered sacrifices—all the way from Geba to Beersheba. He destroyed the shrines at the entrance to the Gate of Joshua, the governor of Jerusalem. This gate was located to the left of the city gate as one enters the city." - **2 Kings 23:9** - "The priests who had served at the pagan shrines were not allowed to serve at the Lord’s altar in Jerusalem, but they were allowed to eat unleavened bread with the other priests." - **2 Kings 23:10** - "Then the king defiled the altar of Topheth in the Valley of Ben-Hinnom, so no one could ever again use it to sacrifice a son or daughter in the fire as an offering to Molech." - **2 Kings 23:11** - "He removed from the entrance of the Lord’s Temple the horses that the former kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. They were near the quarters of Nathan-Melech the eunuch, an officer of the court. The king also burned the chariots dedicated to the sun." - **2 Kings 23:12** - "Josiah tore down the altars that the kings of Judah had built on the palace roof above the upper room of Ahaz. The king destroyed the altars that Manasseh had built in the two courtyards of the Lord’s Temple. He smashed them to bits and scattered the pieces in the Kidron Valley." - **2 Kings 23:13** - "The king also desecrated the pagan shrines east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, where King Solomon of Israel had built shrines for Ashtoreth, the detestable goddess of the Sidonians; and for Chemosh, the detestable god of the Moabites; and for Molech, the vile god of the Ammonites." - **2 Kings 23:14** - "He smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles. Then he desecrated these places by scattering human bones over them." - **2 Kings 23:15** - "The king also tore down the altar at Bethel—the pagan shrine that Jeroboam son of Nebat had made when he caused Israel to sin. He burned down the shrine and ground it to dust, and he burned the Asherah pole." - **2 Kings 23:16** - "Then Josiah turned around and noticed several tombs in the side of the hill. He ordered that the bones be brought out, and he burned them on the altar at Bethel to desecrate it. This happened just as the Lord had promised through the man of God when Jeroboam stood beside the altar at the festival." - **2 Kings 23:17** - "'What is that monument over there?' Josiah asked. And the people of the town told him, 'It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted the very things that you have just done to the altar at Bethel!'" - **2 Kings 23:18** - "Josiah replied, 'Leave it alone. Don’t disturb his bones.' So they did not burn his bones or those of the old prophet from Samaria." - **2 Kings 23:19** - "Then Josiah demolished all the buildings at the pagan shrines in the towns of Samaria, just as he had done at Bethel. They had been built by the various kings of Israel and had made the Lord very angry." - **2 Kings 23:20** - "He executed the priests of the pagan shrines on their own altars, and he burned human bones on the altars to desecrate them. Finally, he returned to Jerusalem." - **2 Kings 23:21** - "King Josiah then issued this order to all the people: 'You must celebrate the Passover to the Lord your God, as required in this Book of the Covenant.'" - **2 Kings 23:22** - "There had not been a Passover celebration like that since the time when the judges ruled in Israel, nor throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah." - **2 Kings 23:23** - "But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, this Passover was celebrated to the Lord in Jerusalem." - **2 Kings 23:24** - "Josiah also got rid of the mediums and psychics, the household gods, the idols, and every other kind of detestable practice, both in Jerusalem and throughout the land of Judah. He did this in obedience to the laws written in the scroll that Hilkiah the priest had found in the Lord’s Temple." - **2 Kings 23:25** - "Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since." - **2 Kings 23:26** - "Even so, the Lord was very angry with Judah because of all the wicked things Manasseh had done to provoke him." - **2 Kings 23:27** - "For the Lord said, 'I will also banish Judah from my presence, just as I have banished Israel. And I will reject my chosen city of Jerusalem and the Temple where my name was to be honored.'" - **2 Kings 23:28** - "The rest of the events in Josiah’s reign and all his deeds are recorded in The Book of the History of the Kings of Judah." - **2 Kings 23:29** - "While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Neco, king of Egypt, went to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah and his army marched out to fight him, but King Neco killed him when they met at Megiddo." - **2 Kings 23:30** - "Josiah’s officers took his body back in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. Then the people of the land anointed Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and made him the next king." - **2 Kings 23:31** - "Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah from Libnah." - **2 Kings 23:32** - "He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestors had done." - **2 Kings 23:33** - "Pharaoh Neco put Jehoahaz in prison at Riblah in the land of Hamath to prevent him from ruling in Jerusalem. He also demanded that Judah pay 7,500 pounds of silver and 75 pounds of gold as tribute." - **2 Kings 23:34** - "Pharaoh Neco then installed Eliakim, another of Josiah’s sons, to reign in place of his father, and he changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. Jehoahaz was taken to Egypt as a prisoner, where he died." - **2 Kings 23:35** - "In order to get the silver and gold demanded as tribute by Pharaoh Neco, Jehoiakim collected a tax from the people of Judah, requiring them to pay in proportion to their wealth." - **2 Kings 23:36** - "Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eleven years. His mother was Zebidah, the daughter of Pedaiah from Rumah." - **2 Kings 23:37** - "He did what was evil in the Lord’s sight, just as his ancestors had done."