Table of Contents
The Early Reign of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:1-7)
2 Chronicles 34:1-2 Josiah became king when he was eight years old. He ruled in Jerusalem for thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He walked in the ways of his father David. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left. These verses introduce King Josiah. His reign began very early. This young age highlights the influence of his upbringing. Unlike his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh, who were wicked kings, Josiah was a righteous ruler. The text emphasizes his righteousness by comparing him to King David. This is the highest praise for a king of Judah. His faithfulness was not partial. He did not stray from God’s path at all. This commitment is a key theme of his reign. It is a striking contrast to the kings who preceded him.
2 Chronicles 34:3-7 In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. In his twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the metal images. The altars of the Baals were torn down in his presence. He cut to pieces the incense altars that were on top of them. The Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the metal images were smashed to powder. This powder was scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He did the same in the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and as far as Naphtali. He demolished the surrounding altars and Asherah poles. He smashed the idols to powder throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem. These verses describe Josiah’s early religious reforms. He began his work at a young age, starting with a personal search for God. His actions were not just superficial. He aimed to completely eliminate idolatry from the land. He destroyed the pagan altars, idols, and Asherah poles. This was a direct reversal of the policies of his father and grandfather. The severity of his actions, like grinding the idols to powder and scattering it over graves, shows his zeal. It was an act of public humiliation for the false gods and their worshippers. His reforms extended beyond Judah. He also cleansed the northern territories that had belonged to Israel. This shows a unified vision for a restored nation dedicated to the Lord.
Repairing the Temple and the Rediscovery of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:8-13)
2 Chronicles 34:8-11 In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the Lord his God. They went to Hilkiah the high priest. They gave him the money that had been brought into the temple of God. The Levites who guarded the entrance had collected the money from Manasseh, Ephraim, and all the remnant of Israel. Money was also collected from all Judah and Benjamin. They delivered it to the supervisors of the work. The supervisors gave it to the workers in the temple. This money was used to pay the carpenters and builders who were to repair the temple. It was also used to buy stone and timber to repair the crumbling parts of the temple. These verses detail Josiah’s decision to repair the temple. This was a significant step. The temple had been defiled by years of neglect and idolatry under previous kings. It was a physical and spiritual act of restoration. The money for the repairs was collected from all the people, including those from the northern kingdom. This shows a renewed sense of national and spiritual unity. It also indicates that the people supported Josiah’s efforts. The leadership, including the high priest Hilkiah, was involved in the project. This suggests a collaborative effort. The temple repair was not just a construction project. It was a symbol of the nation’s spiritual renewal under Josiah’s guidance.
2 Chronicles 34:12-13 The men did the work faithfully. The supervisors over them were Jahath and Obadiah, Levites of the descendants of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the descendants of Kohath. All the Levites who were skilled in playing musical instruments were also involved. They were over the laborers and were supervisors over all the work. Some Levites were scribes, officials, and gatekeepers. These verses praise the faithfulness of the workers. Their work was done with integrity. It was not a hasty or careless job. The specific mention of Levites, from different clans, highlights their central role. Their involvement shows that the project was handled with care and according to God’s law. The inclusion of skilled musicians among the supervisors might seem unusual. This could suggest their creative and orderly skills were useful in managing the work. It emphasizes that every person, with their unique skills, can contribute to God’s work. The Levites’ varied roles, from scribes to gatekeepers, further illustrate a dedicated and organized effort.
The Discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14-19)
2 Chronicles 34:14-15 When they brought out the money that had been collected in the temple of the Lord, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given through Moses. Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan. This discovery is the central event of the chapter. The temple had been so neglected that the very book of God’s law was lost. Its discovery was a pivotal moment. The book had been hidden or forgotten for a long time. This speaks to the depth of the nation’s spiritual decline. The finding of the book was not accidental. It was providential. It happened during the temple repair, a time of spiritual cleansing. Hilkiah recognized the significance of the book. He immediately gave it to Shaphan, a trusted official, to be read and handled properly.
2 Chronicles 34:16-19 Shaphan took the book to the king. He reported to the king, “Your officials are doing everything that has been committed to them. They have paid out the money that was found in the temple of the Lord and have handed it over to the supervisors and the workers.” Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” Shaphan then read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes. These verses describe the king’s reaction. Shaphan first reported on the progress of the temple repairs. Then he presented the book. The king listened as the Law was read. The words had a powerful effect on him. The tearing of his clothes was an ancient sign of grief, repentance, and distress. He was overcome with sorrow. He realized how far the nation had strayed from God’s commands. This shows his genuine piety and his deep respect for God’s word. His reaction was a personal and heartfelt response. It was not a staged or political display.
Josiah’s Response and the Prophecy of Huldah (2 Chronicles 34:20-28)
2 Chronicles 34:20-21 The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s official: “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about the words of the book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s wrath that is poured out on us. This is because our ancestors have not kept the word of the Lord. They have not done everything written in this book.” Upon hearing the Law, Josiah acted immediately. He did not ignore the message. He sought to understand God’s will and the full extent of the nation’s sin. He sent a delegation to inquire of the Lord. This showed his humility and his trust in God. He recognized the seriousness of their disobedience. He understood that God’s wrath was a righteous response to their actions. The phrase “the remnant in Israel and Judah” suggests he was concerned not only for his people but for all of God’s people.
2 Chronicles 34:22-25 Hilkiah and those the king had sent went to speak to Huldah the prophetess. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the New Quarter. They spoke to her. She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you: ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people. All the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah will come to pass. This is because they have forsaken me. They have burned incense to other gods. They have aroused my anger by all that their hands have made. My wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.'” Huldah’s prophecy confirmed Josiah’s fears. She was a woman of God who spoke with authority. Her words were a clear and solemn warning. The prophetess did not offer a message of immediate relief. She confirmed that the curses of the Law would indeed fall upon the nation. This was a consequence of their deep-seated idolatry. The disaster was inevitable due to their widespread and long-standing rebellion.
2 Chronicles 34:26-28 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord: “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the words you have heard: ‘Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes, and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. I will gather you to your ancestors. You will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am going to bring on this place and its people.'” So they took her answer back to the king. Huldah’s message also contained a word of grace for Josiah. His personal repentance and humility were recognized by God. God promised that Josiah would be spared the coming disaster. He would die in peace before the judgment came. This was a testament to the power of a single person’s devotion. It also shows that God is compassionate and just. He punishes sin but also rewards a repentant heart. Josiah’s example is a model for personal revival.
A Verse by Verse Commentary
2 Chronicles 34:1-2: A Righteous King Josiah’s kingship began at age eight. The text immediately declares his righteousness. He walked in the ways of David, unlike his direct predecessors. This sets a tone of hope and renewal for Judah. His character is a direct contrast to the spiritual decay around him.
2 Chronicles 34:3-5: The First Wave of Reforms Josiah started his spiritual reform in his eighth year. This shows a youthful zeal. He began to seek God personally. The public cleansing started four years later. The destruction of altars and idols was thorough. The Baals and Asherah poles, central to pagan worship, were his primary targets. This radical cleansing was necessary to prepare the nation for a true worship of God.
2 Chronicles 34:6-7: Extending the Purge Josiah’s reforms were not limited to Judah. He extended his campaign to the northern territories. This shows his authority was recognized throughout the land that was once united Israel. He removed all traces of pagan worship. His actions were a physical manifestation of his spiritual commitment. The land was made clean again.
2 Chronicles 34:8-11: Repairing the House of God In his eighteenth year, the focus shifted from destroying false worship to restoring true worship. The temple was in a state of disrepair. The king sent his officials to organize the repair work. Funds were collected from all over the nation. This was an act of communal worship. The temple, once a place of idolatry, was being restored to its rightful purpose.
2 Chronicles 34:12-13: Faithful Workers The workers were dedicated and honest. They did their work “faithfully.” The Levites were supervisors. This highlights the importance of skilled and faithful service in God’s work. It also emphasizes the unity of the project.
2 Chronicles 34:14-15: The Precious Find While the temple was being repaired, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law. The book had been lost or hidden for many years. This discovery was a monumental event. It was a divine intervention, a moment of grace. The very words of God, which had been forgotten, were found again.
2 Chronicles 34:16-19: The King’s Humble Heart Shaphan read the book to the king. The words of the Law convicted Josiah. His immediate response was to tear his clothes. This was a sign of deep distress and repentance. He recognized the great sin of his ancestors and his people. He did not react with anger or disbelief. He was humbled.
2 Chronicles 34:20-21: Seeking Divine Guidance Josiah did not act on his own. He immediately sent messengers to inquire of the Lord. He understood the gravity of the situation. He recognized the nation’s guilt. He was deeply concerned about God’s wrath. His humility led him to seek God’s counsel.
2 Chronicles 34:22-25: Huldah’s Prophecy of Judgment The messengers went to Huldah the prophetess. She confirmed that God’s judgment was certain. The curses in the book would come upon the land. This was a direct result of the nation’s persistent sin. The prophecy was a solemn reminder that God’s word is true.
2 Chronicles 34:26-28: A Promise of Grace for Josiah Because of Josiah’s humble and responsive heart, God promised to spare him. He would not live to see the disaster. He would be buried in peace. This was a personal promise to Josiah. It shows that God looks at the heart. His personal righteousness was a source of grace for him.
2 Chronicles 34:29-32: A Renewed Covenant The king gathered all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He read the entire Book of the Covenant to them. This was a public act of worship and commitment. He then made a covenant before the Lord. The people also committed themselves to the covenant. This was a moment of national revival. The entire nation renewed its commitment to God’s law.
2 Chronicles 34:33: Eradicating Idolatry Josiah removed all detestable idols from the land. He made all the people serve the Lord. He was a proactive leader. He did not allow the people to return to their old ways. His influence was felt for the rest of his life.
Cross references
2 Chronicles 34:1-2 with 2 Kings 22:1-2 These two passages are parallel accounts. They both introduce Josiah as a righteous king. They provide identical details about his age when he became king, his length of reign, and his mother’s name. This confirms the accuracy of the account. It establishes Josiah’s character from the start.
2 Chronicles 34:3-7 with 2 Kings 23:4-20 Both books describe Josiah’s religious reforms. 2 Kings provides more detail about the destruction of pagan worship. It mentions specific acts like the defilement of altars and the killing of pagan priests. This shows the depth of his zeal. The actions described in both accounts are consistent.
2 Chronicles 34:8-13 with 2 Kings 22:3-7 The temple repair is detailed in both chapters. The accounts are very similar. Both mention the king sending officials to the high priest Hilkiah. The purpose was to use collected money for the repairs. This highlights the importance of this event.
2 Chronicles 34:14-19 with 2 Kings 22:8-11 The discovery of the Book of the Law is recorded in both places. Hilkiah’s discovery and Shaphan’s reading of the book to the king are described. The king’s strong reaction is also noted. The tearing of his clothes is a central part of both narratives.
2 Chronicles 34:20-28 with 2 Kings 22:12-20 Both passages describe Josiah’s inquiry to the prophetess Huldah. Her prophecy of both judgment and grace is recorded in each. The promise to spare Josiah from the coming disaster is a key part of her message. It is a powerful example of God’s mercy.
2 Chronicles 34:29-33 with 2 Kings 23:1-25 The covenant renewal is a major event in both narratives. Josiah gathers the people to read the Law. The people and the king make a covenant with God. The final details of Josiah’s reforms are also listed. This shows his unwavering commitment to God’s word.