1Josiah's good reign: 3he destroyeth idolatry both in Judah and Israel: 8he provideth for the repairs of the temple. 14Hilkiah having found the book of the law, it is read before the king, who is alarmed, and sendeth to the prophetess Huldah to enquire of the Lord. 23Huldah prophesieth the destruction of Jerusalem, but not to take place till after the death of Josiah. 29Josiah causeth the book to be read in a solemn assembly, and reneweth the covenant between God and the people.
1JOSIAH1was 2eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
1 See a further exposition of this chapter in 2 Kings chapters 22 and 23, where this history is first recorded.
2 Hebr. a son of eight years. See Gen. 5 on verse 32.
2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and 3walked in the ways of David his father, and 4declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
3 See 1 Kings 15 on verse 26.
4 That is, he did not forsake the right way in any kind of manner. See Deut. 5 on verse 32.
3¶For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet 5young, he began to 6seek after the God of David his father: and in the 7twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem froma the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
5 Namely, of the age of sixteen years.
6 See 2 Chron. 15 on verse 2.
7 Namely, of his reign, when he was twenty years old.
a 1 Kings 13:2.
4And they brake down the altars 8of Baalim 9in his presence; and the 10images, that were on high above 11them, he cut down; and the 12groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and 13strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
8 See Judges 2 on verse 11.
9 That is, by his command, in his presence, since he looked upon it.
10 Hebr. sun-pillars. See of these, Lev. 26 on verse 30.
11 Namely, the altars, over which they were set on high.
12 That is, images of the groves; also verse 7.
13 See 2 Kings 23 on verse 6.
5And he burnt 14the bones of the priests upon 15their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
14 Compare this with 2 Kings 23:20, and the annotation thereon.
15 That is, upon the altars of the images, and that to the greater detestation and defilement of their altars, those things being deemed unclean and defiled, which were touched by dead bodies or bones. Compare 2 Kings 23:20.
6And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, 16with their mattocksb round about.
16 That is, in the land of Israel, which was laid waste and desolate by the carrying away of the ten tribes into Assyria. Other, with their axes, or mattocks, or hammers, or spades, or shovels, namely, wherewith they destroyed, and demolished the idolatrous grove, images, altars, houses, high places, etc. The Hebrew word, which is here used, is found in Ezek. 26:9 for instruments whereby a thing is broken down, abolished and destroyed.
b pick axe*
7And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had 17beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
17 That is, he beat and bruised them so small, as if they had been beaten to dust in a mortar, or ground to powder in a mill. Compare Deut. 9:21.
8¶Now in thec eighteenth year of his reign, when he had 18purged the land, and the 19house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the 20governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, 21to repair the house of the LORD his God.
c 2 Kings 22:3.
18 Namely, from the filthiness and pollutions of idolatry.
19 Namely, of God, that is, the temple.
20 Compare 1 Kings 22:26; 2 Kings 23:8.
21 Understand that he sent these men to Hilkiah, the high priest, that he would take up and deliver out the collections, and cause them to be laid out and bestowed for the repairing and mending of the temple, 2 Kings 22:4. See a similar example in Joash, 2 Chron. 24:4, etc.
9And when they came 22to Hilkiah the 23high priest, 24they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the 25doors had gathered of the hand of 26Manasseh and Ephraim, and of 27all the remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they 28returned to Jerusalem.
22 Namely, to acquaint him with the king’s command, touching the aforementioned repairing of the temple, and the levying of the money, thereunto appertaining.
23 Hebr. the great priest.
24 Namely, Hilkiah and his companions. They delivered it into the hand of the overseers, or those who were set over the workmen, verse 17.
25 Namely, of the temple. Other, the vessels.
26 That is, of the Manassites and Ephraimites.
27 Namely, which were under the dominion of the king of Judah, or were added unto him. See 2 Chron. 21 on verse 2.
28 Namely, the Levites, who had gathered the money.
10And 29they put it in the hand 30of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to 31repair and amend the house:
29 Namely, Hilkiah and his companions, as in the annotation upon the beginning of the previous verse. Compare likewise the end of the following sixteenth verse and verse 17.
30 Understand disposers, managers, overseers, setters forward, who took care that the work was done well, being distinct from those who did the work themselves with their own hand. See 2 Kings 22 on verse 5.
31 Other, to search, or, to review, namely, to understand where it wanted mending or repairing.
11Evend to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy 32hewn stone, and timber for 33couplings, and to floor the 34houses which 35the kings of Judah had destroyed.
d 2 Kings 22:6.
32 See 2 Kings 22 on verse 6.
33 Understand the beams and rafters, whereby the walls and ceilings are coupled and fastened together.
34 Understand the chambers, which were attached to the temple for the priests and the Levites.
35 Namely, the idolatrous kings, as Ahaz, Manasseh and Amon.
12And the men did the work 36faithfully: and the 37overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to seteit forward; 38and other of the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
36 Hebr. in truth, or, faithfulness. Also 2 Kings 12:15; 22:7.
37 Namely, the disposers of the work, of whom is spoken in verse 10.
e oversee*
38 Or, together with every one of the Levites, that was skilful upon musical instruments.
13Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in 39any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and 40officers, and porters.
39 Hebr. in service and service; that is, in every service or work. See Gen. 7 on verse 2.
40 Described in verse 10 as workmen that had the oversight. See there the annotation #30.
14¶And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found 41a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.
41 Namely, the original book of the law, written and left behind by Moses himself. See 2 Kings 22 on verse 8.
15And Hilkiah 42answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
42 That is, began to speak. See Judges 18 on verse 14.
16And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king 43word back again, saying, 44All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
43 Or, an answer. Hebr. word, that is, intelligence, news, report, answer of what the king had given in charge, verse 8.
44 That is, all what was given in charge to the Levites, and committed to their care and trust.
17And they have gathered 45together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the 46workmen.
45 Hebr. cast, or, melted. See 2 Kings 22 on verse 9.
46 That is, laborers, who did the work.
18Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
19And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that 47he rent his clothes.
47 See the annotation at 2 Kings 22 on verse 11.
20And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and 48Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,
48 Who is also called Achbor, 2 Kings 22:12.
21Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are 49left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is 50poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.
49 Namely, who had not been murdered by the enemies, or carried away captive.
50 And that with vehement burning and kindling, for, in 2 Kings 22:13 it is stated for poured out the word kindled.
22And Hilkiah, and they 51that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of 52Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, 53keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the 54college:) and they spake to her 55to that effect.
51 Namely, servants, whose names see verse 20.
52 Also called Tikvah, the son of Harhas, 2 Kings 22:14.
53 Understand this of the clothes of the sanctuary, which were committed to the keeping of this same Shallum.
54 Or, in the school, or the second part, namely, of the city. See 2 Kings 20 on verse 4. Others understand this place of a college of the prophets. See the annotation at 2 Kings 22 on verse 14.
55 Hebr. according to that; that is, according to what the king had commanded them.
23¶And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,
24Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring 56evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book 57which they have read before the king of Judah:
56 Understand the invasion of the Babylonians into the land of Judah, the siege of the city of Jerusalem, the famine, the murdering of the inhabitants, the destruction of the temple, the captivity and carrying away of the people to Babel, and lastly the ruin of the city and the destruction of the entire land.
57 Hebr. which they have read before the face of the king, etc. See Job 4 on verse 19.
25Because they have forsaken 58me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the 59works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
58 See 2 Chron. 12 on verse 1.
59 That is, idols and images. See 2 Kings 22 on verse 17.
26And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words 60which thou hast heard;
60 Namely, from the reading of the book of the law, containing most grievous threats, pronounced against the transgressors of the law. See 2 Kings 22 on verse 18.
27Because thine heart was 61tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
61 The Hebrew word, being spoken of the heart of man, signifies for the most part a weakness, feebleness and decay of the same, which arises from fear; as may be gathered from Deut. 20:3, 8; 2 Kings 22:19; 2 Chron. 13:7; Isa. 7:4; Jer. 51:46.
28Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy 62grave 63in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.
62 Hebr. in thy graves, that is, in one of the graves. See Gen. 19 on verse 29, and compare 2 Chron. 35:24.
63 Namely, thus, as that the evil, which shall come upon this city and upon this land, shall not come to pass in thy lifetime, but in the lifetime of thy children. See hereof further 2 Kings 22 on verse 20. Moreover, he was also buried within the city of Jerusalem, and laid peaceably in his grave, accompanied with all funeral ceremonies. Compare Jer. 34:5.
29¶Thenf the king sent and gathered together all the 64elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
f 2 Kings 23:1.
64 See 2 Kings 23 on verse 1.
30And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites, and all the people, great and small: and 65he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.
65 Or, one read, namely, the king, yet understand that he caused someone to read, as someone from the priests or the Levites.
31And the king stood in his 66place, and madeg a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his 67testimonies, and his statutes, 68with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
66 That is, by the pillar, where the king had his seat, 2 Kings 23:3. See further of this place 2 Kings 11 on verse 14.
g Joshua 24:25.
67 See 1 Kings 2 on verse 3.
68 See 1 Kings 2 on verse 4.
32And he 69caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem 70did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
69 Namely, that likewise standing upright, they would promise with a solemn oath that they would keep and maintain the pure worship of God, which he had now set up. Or, he caused them to stand, that is, he established and confirmed them in the covenant made. Other, he established it (namely, the covenant) with all, etc.
70 Namely, in respect of the outward worship.
33And Josiah took away all the 71abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and 72made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And 73all his days they 74departed not 75from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
71 That is, all idols, images, high places, altars and idolatrous instruments.
72 The Hebrew word imports that he in a manner compelled them to the pure worship and service of God, as a servant is compelled to his work. The sense is, that he, by his royal power and authority kept them in order, forbidding idolatry, and commanding them to serve God no otherwise than according to His Word.
73 Compare Joshua 24:31; Judges 2:7.
74 Namely, from the outward pure worship of God. Nevertheless, that the heart of the greatest part of the people was not upright, both appear by the manifold reproofs of the prophets, who lived at that time, and by the heavy judgments and plagues of God, which after the death of Josiah came upon the Jews.
75 Hebr. from after the Lord. See 1 Kings 9 on verse 6.