April 19, 2025
Who was Josiah in the Bible?
2 Kings 22-25
Mary Sivils
Big Book Idea
The northern kingdom was conquered by the Assyrians, and the southern kingdom was conquered by the Babylonians.
Key Verse | 2 Kings 22:13
"Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
2 Kings 22-25
Chapter 22
Josiah Reigns in Judah
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Josiah Repairs the Temple
3 In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the LORD, saying, 4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. 5 And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the LORD, repairing the house 6 (that is, to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons), and let them use it for buying timber and quarried stone to repair the house. 7 But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.”
Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the LORD.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’” And they brought back word to the king.
Chapter 23
Josiah's Reforms
1 Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him. 2 And the king went up to the house of the LORD, and with him all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem and the priests and the prophets, all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. 3 And the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant.
4 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second order and the keepers of the threshold to bring out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel. 5 And he deposed the priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to make offerings in the high places at the cities of Judah and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and the moon and the constellations and all the host of the heavens. 6 And he brought out the Asherah from the house of the LORD, outside Jerusalem, to the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron and beat it to dust and cast the dust of it upon the graves of the common people. 7 And he broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes who were in the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the Asherah. 8 And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba to Beersheba. And he broke down the high places of the gates that were at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on one's left at the gate of the city. 9 However, the priests of the high places did not come up to the altar of the LORD in Jerusalem, but they ate unleavened bread among their brothers. 10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no one might burn his son or his daughter as an offering to Molech. 1 23:10 Hebrew might cause his son or daughter to pass through the fire for Molech 11 And he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the precincts. 2 23:11 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain And he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. 12 And the altars on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars that Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the LORD, he pulled down and broke in pieces 3 23:12 Hebrew pieces from there and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron. 13 And the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, to the south of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 14 And he broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and filled their places with the bones of men.
15 Moreover, the altar at Bethel, the high place erected by Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, that altar with the high place he pulled down and burned, 4 23:15 Septuagint broke in pieces its stones reducing it to dust. He also burned the Asherah. 16 And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the mount. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the LORD that the man of God proclaimed, who had predicted these things. 17 Then he said, “What is that monument that I see?” And the men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted 5 23:17 Hebrew called these things that you have done against the altar at Bethel.” 18 And he said, “Let him be; let no man move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria. 19 And Josiah removed all the shrines also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which kings of Israel had made, provoking the LORD to anger. He did to them according to all that he had done at Bethel. 20 And he sacrificed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.
Josiah Restores the Passover
21 And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
24 Moreover, Josiah put away the mediums and the necromancers and the household gods and the idols and all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might establish the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD. 25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.
26 Still the LORD did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him. 27 And the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.”
Josiah's Death in Battle
28 Now the rest of the acts of Josiah and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 29 In his days Pharaoh Neco king of Egypt went up to the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates. King Josiah went to meet him, and Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo, as soon as he saw him. 30 And his servants carried him dead in a chariot from Megiddo and brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's place.
Jehoahaz's Reign and Captivity
31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 And Pharaoh Neco put him in bonds at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem, and laid on the land a tribute of a hundred talents 6 23:33 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms of silver and a talent of gold. 34 And Pharaoh Neco made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the place of Josiah his father, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz away, and he came to Egypt and died there. 35 And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh, but he taxed the land to give the money according to the command of Pharaoh. He exacted the silver and the gold of the people of the land, from everyone according to his assessment, to give it to Pharaoh Neco.
Jehoiakim Reigns in Judah
36 Jehoiakim was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah. 37 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his fathers had done.
Chapter 24
1 In his days, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up, and Jehoiakim became his servant for three years. Then he turned and rebelled against him. 2 And the LORD sent against him bands of the Chaldeans and bands of the Syrians and bands of the Moabites and bands of the Ammonites, and sent them against Judah to destroy it, according to the word of the LORD that he spoke by his servants the prophets. 3 Surely this came upon Judah at the command of the LORD, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he had done, 4 and also for the innocent blood that he had shed. For he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood, and the LORD would not pardon. 5 Now the rest of the deeds of Jehoiakim and all that he did, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? 6 So Jehoiakim slept with his fathers, and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his place. 7 And the king of Egypt did not come again out of his land, for the king of Babylon had taken all that belonged to the king of Egypt from the Brook of Egypt to the river Euphrates.
Jehoiachin Reigns in Judah
8 Jehoiachin was eighteen years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Nehushta the daughter of Elnathan of Jerusalem. 9 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.
Jerusalem Captured
10 At that time the servants of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came up to Jerusalem, and the city was besieged. 11 And Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it, 12 and Jehoiachin the king of Judah gave himself up to the king of Babylon, himself and his mother and his servants and his officials and his palace officials. The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign 13 and carried off all the treasures of the house of the LORD and the treasures of the king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the LORD, which Solomon king of Israel had made, as the LORD had foretold. 14 He carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land. 15 And he carried away Jehoiachin to Babylon. The king's mother, the king's wives, his officials, and the chief men of the land he took into captivity from Jerusalem to Babylon. 16 And the king of Babylon brought captive to Babylon all the men of valor, 7,000, and the craftsmen and the metal workers, 1,000, all of them strong and fit for war. 17 And the king of Babylon made Mattaniah, Jehoiachin's uncle, king in his place, and changed his name to Zedekiah.
Zedekiah Reigns in Judah
18 Zedekiah was twenty-one years old when he became king, and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 19 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that Jehoiakim had done. 20 For because of the anger of the LORD it came to the point in Jerusalem and Judah that he cast them out from his presence.
And Zedekiah rebelled against the king of Babylon.
Chapter 25
Fall and Captivity of Judah
1 And in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, on the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came with all his army against Jerusalem and laid siege to it. And they built siegeworks all around it. 2 So the city was besieged till the eleventh year of King Zedekiah. 3 On the ninth day of the fourth month the famine was so severe in the city that there was no food for the people of the land. 4 Then a breach was made in the city, and all the men of war fled by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, by the king's garden, and the Chaldeans were around the city. And they went in the direction of the Arabah. 5 But the army of the Chaldeans pursued the king and overtook him in the plains of Jericho, and all his army was scattered from him. 6 Then they captured the king and brought him up to the king of Babylon at Riblah, and they passed sentence on him. 7 They slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, and put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him in chains and took him to Babylon.
8 In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. 9 And he burned the house of the LORD and the king's house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. 10 And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem. 11 And the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile. 12 But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen.
13 And the pillars of bronze that were in the house of the LORD, and the stands and the bronze sea that were in the house of the LORD, the Chaldeans broke in pieces and carried the bronze to Babylon. 14 And they took away the pots and the shovels and the snuffers and the dishes for incense and all the vessels of bronze used in the temple service, 15 the fire pans also and the bowls. What was of gold the captain of the guard took away as gold, and what was of silver, as silver. 16 As for the two pillars, the one sea, and the stands that Solomon had made for the house of the LORD, the bronze of all these vessels was beyond weight. 17 The height of the one pillar was eighteen cubits, 7 25:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters and on it was a capital of bronze. The height of the capital was three cubits. A latticework and pomegranates, all of bronze, were all around the capital. And the second pillar had the same, with the latticework.
18 And the captain of the guard took Seraiah the chief priest and Zephaniah the second priest and the three keepers of the threshold; 19 and from the city he took an officer who had been in command of the men of war, and five men of the king's council who were found in the city; and the secretary of the commander of the army, who mustered the people of the land; and sixty men of the people of the land, who were found in the city. 20 And Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard took them and brought them to the king of Babylon at Riblah. 21 And the king of Babylon struck them down and put them to death at Riblah in the land of Hamath. So Judah was taken into exile out of its land.
Gedaliah Made Governor of Judah
22 And over the people who remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, he appointed Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, son of Shaphan, governor. 23 Now when all the captains and their men heard that the king of Babylon had appointed Gedaliah governor, they came with their men to Gedaliah at Mizpah, namely, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, and Johanan the son of Kareah, and Seraiah the son of Tanhumeth the Netophathite, and Jaazaniah the son of the Maacathite. 24 And Gedaliah swore to them and their men, saying, “Do not be afraid because of the Chaldean officials. Live in the land and serve the king of Babylon, and it shall be well with you.” 25 But in the seventh month, Ishmael the son of Nethaniah, son of Elishama, of the royal family, came with ten men and struck down Gedaliah and put him to death along with the Jews and the Chaldeans who were with him at Mizpah. 26 Then all the people, both small and great, and the captains of the forces arose and went to Egypt, for they were afraid of the Chaldeans.
Jehoiachin Released from Prison
27 And in the thirty-seventh year of the exile of Jehoiachin king of Judah, in the twelfth month, on the twenty-seventh day of the month, Evil-merodach king of Babylon, in the year that he began to reign, graciously freed 8 25:27 Hebrew reign, lifted up the head of Jehoiachin king of Judah from prison. 28 And he spoke kindly to him and gave him a seat above the seats of the kings who were with him in Babylon. 29 So Jehoiachin put off his prison garments. And every day of his life he dined regularly at the king's table, 30 and for his allowance, a regular allowance was given him by the king, according to his daily needs, as long as he lived.
Footnotes
[1] 23:10 Hebrew might cause his son or daughter to pass through the fire for Molech[2] 23:11 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain
[3] 23:12 Hebrew pieces from there
[4] 23:15 Septuagint broke in pieces its stones
[5] 23:17 Hebrew called
[6] 23:33 A talent was about 75 pounds or 34 kilograms
[7] 25:17 A cubit was about 18 inches or 45 centimeters
[8] 25:27 Hebrew reign, lifted up the head of
Table of Contents
Introduction to 1–2 Kings
Timeline
Author and Date
The author or authors of these two books is unknown. As the titles of the books indicate, 1–2 Kings describe the period of the monarchy in ancient Israel (970–586 B.C.), concentrating on the kings who ruled after David.
Theme
The books show that Israel suffers again and again because of its great sinfulness (2 Kings 17:7–23; 24:1–4). Yet there is still hope for the nation, because God’s chosen family of kings has not come to an end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remains ready to forgive those who repent (1 Kings 8:22–61).
Purpose, Occasion, and Background
The fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 B.C. raised several questions: Was Israel’s God not in fact in control of history, as Moses had claimed? If the God of Moses did exist, and was good and all-powerful, how was it that God’s chosen city and temple had been destroyed, and his chosen royal family had all but come to its end?
The books of Kings respond to such questions, explaining why Israel was defeated. Israel’s God is indeed in control of nature and history. There are no other true gods anywhere. It is this good and all-powerful God who has overseen the destruction of his chosen city and his temple, and Israel’s exile to Babylon. Israel’s sin has caused these punishments.
After the division of the kingdom, the northern kingdom of Israel lasted slightly more than 200 years (931–722 B.C.), with 19 different kings, all of whom were wicked. The southern kingdom of Judah had the same number of kings, but many of them were good, and Judah lasted almost 150 years longer (931–586 B.C.). Toward the end of Judah’s monarchy came two of its best kings: Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1–20:21) and Josiah (2 Kings 22:1–23:30). Yet the people still rebelled against the Lord, and Judah, like Israel, eventually went into exile as punishment for its sin. But hope remained, for God’s chosen royal line had not come to a complete end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remained ready to forgive those who repented.
Key Themes
- Yahweh is the only true God, and he controls nature. There is only one living God, and he is the Lord. He alone controls the natural order (1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 1:2–17; 4:8–37; 5:1–18; 6:1–7, 27).
- Yahweh controls history. The Lord rules over the past, present, and future. He alone controls the historical process (1 Kings 11:14, 23; 14:1–18; 22:1–38; 2 Kings 5:1–18; 10:32–33; 18:17–19:37).
- Yahweh demands exclusive worship. As the only God, the Lord demands exclusive worship. He alone will be worshiped, by Israelite and foreigner alike (1 Kings 8:41–43, 60; 2 Kings 5:15–18; 17:24–41).
- The content and place of true worship. Much of 1–2 Kings is concerned with exposing false religion. It speaks out against the content of false worship (1 Kings 11:1–40; 12:25–13:34; 14:22–24; 16:29–33; 2 Kings 16:1–4; 17:7–23; 21:1–9). It also exposes the wrongful place of such false worship (1 Kings 3:2; 5:1–9:9; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Kings 18:4; 23:1–20).
- The consequences of false worship. True worship of God includes obedience to the law of God. The worship of something other than God always leads to mistreating other people.
- Yahweh is the just and gracious Lawgiver. The Lord gave the law, which defines true worship, right thinking, and correct behavior. The Lord is also the one who punishes wrongdoers.
- Yahweh is the promise-giver. Israel’s God is a promise-giver. The divine promises given to the patriarchs and to David are an important theme in 1–2 Kings.
1 Kings Outline
- The Reign of King Solomon (1:1–11:43)
- The Kingdom Is Divided (12:1–14:31)
- Abijam and Asa (15:1–24)
- From Nadab to Ahab (15:25–16:34)
- Elijah and Ahab (17:1–22:40)
- Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah (22:41–53)
2 Kings Outline
- The Death of Ahaziah (1:1–18)
- Elisha and Israel (2:1–10:36)
- Joash (11:1–12:21)
- Jehoahaz and Jehoash (13:1–25)
- Amaziah, Jeroboam II, and Azariah (14:1–15:7)
- Israel’s Last Days (15:8–31)
- Jotham and Ahaz (15:32–16:20)
- The End of Israel (17:1–41)
- Hezekiah (18:1–20:21)
- Manasseh and Amon (21:1–26)
- Josiah (22:1–23:30)
- The End of Judah (23:31–25:30)
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
c. 971–931 B.C.
Solomon’s reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and wealth in biblical times. Solomon’s father, David, had given him a kingdom that included Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Solomon would later rule over the kingdom of Hamath as well, and his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter resulted in an alliance with Egypt. Solomon controlled important trade routes between several major world powers, including Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia (Asia Minor).
Israel and Judah in 2 Kings
c. 853 B.C.
The book of 2 Kings tells of events in Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the exile of Israel and Judah. The story involves Israel, Judah, Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, as well as Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond Israel’s borders.
Fact: Babylonians
The Babylonians exiled people from Judah and Jerusalem in stages. Daniel and his friends were taken in 605 B.C. Ezekiel was deported in 597 B.C., along with King Jehoiachin and many others (2 Kings 24:8–17). The final exile occurred 10 years later.
Fact: How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings?
How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings? The books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings show that the Lord drove Israel and Judah from their land because of their sin. The books of 1–2 Chronicles agree that Israel sinned and suffered exile as a result. They also show that God still had a purpose for his people.
Fact: Live long in the land of Israel
God promised his people that they would live long in the land of Israel, if they would love, obey, and serve him (11:9, 21). They failed to do this and were eventually defeated and taken into exile (2 Kings 17; 25).
Fact: “Man of God,”
“Man of God,” meaning “prophet,” is used 37 times in 1–2 Kings. Though God judged the Judean prophet’s disobedience (13:1–32), his prophecy against the temple in Bethel was fulfilled, and King Josiah preserved his burial place (2 Kings 23:15–20).
Fact: What is a siege?
What is a siege? In ancient times, a “siege” occurred when an enemy army surrounded a city and demanded that it surrender. If the city refused, the invaders cut off food and water supplies and attempted to tear down the city’s defensive walls. Cities usually surrendered when they ran out of water. Those who fought to the end faced terrible consequences when their enemies finally overwhelmed them (6:24–7:20; 17:5; 25:1–2).
Fact: Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read?
Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read? As the Book of the Law was read in public for the first time in nearly 60 years, King Josiah tore his clothes as a sign of his grief. He grieved when he realized that he, as the nation’s leader, had not been fulfilling the commandments of the Lord.
Fact: The host of heaven
The host of heaven refers in 23:4 to false gods, represented by celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and planets. King Josiah ordered the destruction of all these symbols of pagan worship.
Fact: Josiah’s reforms
Josiah’s reforms reveal the true extent of Judah’s idolatry (23:1–27). Despite God’s commands to worship him alone, his people adopted Canaanite gods, including Baal, Asherah, and Molech. They also worshiped the stars and small household idols.
Fact: What happened to the ark of the covenant?
What happened to the ark of the covenant? After the fall of Jerusalem, the ark completely disappeared from historical records. It is unlikely that the Babylonians took it because there is no mention of it in Babylonian records.
Fact: “prophesy out of their own hearts”
The women in 13:17 who “prophesy out of their own hearts” were false prophets and magicians. Unlike Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), these female prophets did not speak God’s words.
Israel and Judah in 2 Kings
c. 853 B.C.
The book of 2 Kings tells of events in Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the exile of Israel and Judah. The story involves Israel, Judah, Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, as well as Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond Israel’s borders.
Exile to Babylon
597, 586, 582 B.C.
It appears that three separate deportations of Judeans to Babylon took place under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar (see also Jer. 52:28–30). The first came during the reign of Jehoiachin, when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried away many of the treasures of the temple and the royal palace. The second occurred after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., when the walls of the city were leveled and the temple was completely destroyed. The third appears to have occurred around 582 B.C. while King Nebuchadnezzar was reasserting his control over the general region of Palestine (see note on Jer. 52:28–30).
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
Evaluating Kings of Israel and Judah in 1–2 Kings
The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Judah (all dates B.C.)
| King | Years of Reign | Total Years | Accession Year* | Possible Co-Reigns | References in 1–2 Kings** | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rehoboam | 931/930–915/914 | 17 | 1 Kings 12:1–24; 14:21–31 | |||
| Abijah/Abijam | 915/914–912/911 | 3 | 18 of Jeroboam I | 1 Kings 15:1–8 | ||
| Asa | 912/911–871/870 | 41 | 20 of Jeroboam I | 1 Kings 15:9–24 | ||
| Jehoshaphat | 871/870–849/848 | 25 | 4 of Ahab | with Asa from 873 | 1 Kings 22:41–50 | |
| Jehoram/Joram | 849/848–842 | 7 (8) | 5 of Joram | with Jehoshaphat from 853 | 2 Kings 8:16–24 | Married Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab (Israel) |
| Ahaziah | 842–841 | 1 (2) | 11 of Joram | 2 Kings 8:25–29; 9:21–28 | Killed by Jehu (Israel) in 841 | |
| Athaliah (Q.) | 841–835 | 6 | 2 Kings 11:1–20 | Killed by Jehoiada the priest | ||
| Joash/Jehoash | 835–796/795 | 39 (40) | 7 of Jehu | 2 Kings 12:1–21 | Hidden from Athaliah for 6 years (841–835) by Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah; protected by Jehoiada the priest | |
| Amaziah | 796/795–767 | 29 | 2 of Joash/Jehoash | 2 Kings 14:1–22 | ||
| Uzziah/Azariah | 767–740/739 | 52 | 27 of Jeroboam II | with Amaziah from 791 | 2 Kings 15:1–7 | |
| Jotham | 750–735/730 | 16 (20) | 2 of Pekah | Uzziah is alive in 750 but inactive in rule (see 2 Kings 15:5) | 2 Kings 15:32–38 | |
| Ahaz | 735/730–715 | 16 (20) | 17 of Pekah | 2 Kings 16:1–20 | ||
| Hezekiah | 715–687/686 | 29 | 3 of Hoshea | with Ahaz from 728 | 2 Kings 18:1–20:21 | |
| Manasseh | 687/686–642 | 55 | No further accession dates after fall of Israel in 722 | with Hezekiah from 697/696 | 2 Kings 21:1–18 | |
| Amon | 642–640 | 2 | 2 Kings 21:19–26 | |||
| Josiah | 640–609 | 31 | 2 Kings 22:1–23:30 | Killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt | ||
| Jehoahaz | 609 | 3 months | 2 Kings 23:31–34 | Taken by Pharaoh Neco to Egypt | ||
| Jehoiakim | 609–598 | 11 | 2 Kings 23:35–24:7 | Set on the throne by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt | ||
| Jehoiachin/Jeconiah | 598–597 | 3 months | 2 Kings 24:8–17; 25:27–30 | Exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597; released and honored by Evil-merodach of Babylon in 562 | ||
| Zedekiah | 597–586 | 11 | 2 Kings 24:18–20 | Zedekiah is Jehoiachin’s uncle; Jerusalem and Judah fall to Babylon in 586 |
*This chart follows the dating method found in both Kings and Chronicles: For Judah, accession to the throne is marked by a year within the reign of a king of Israel. Parentheses—e.g., 39 (40)—indicate non-accession year dating (year of accession is counted in the totals of both the predecessor and the new king). The actual number of years in a reign can be determined by subtracting 1 from the number given (40 – 1 = 39 actual years).
**The verses cited in 1–2 Kings do not include the initial mention of a ruler, which occurs in reference to the death of his father (e.g., Abijam in 1 Kings 14:31).
Comparison of 1–2 Chronicles with 2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings
| 1 Chronicles | 2 Samuel | |
|---|---|---|
| Genealogies | 1:1–9:44 | |
| Death of Saul and sons | 10:1–14 | 1 Sam. 31:1–2 Sam. 1:16 |
| Lament for Saul | 1:17–27 | |
| David king of Judah | 2:1–7 | |
| War between house of Saul and David; Ish-bosheth made king | 2:8–3:1 | |
| David’s sons in Hebron | 3:2–5 | |
| Abner helps David | 3:6–21 | |
| Joab kills Abner | 3:22–39 | |
| Ish-bosheth killed | 4:1–12 | |
| David king of Judah and Israel | 11:1–3 | 5:1–5 |
| Conquest of Jerusalem | 11:4–9 | 5:6–10 |
| David’s mighty men | 11:10–47 | 23:8–39 |
| David’s men at Ziklag | 12:1–22 | |
| Celebration at Hebron | 12:23–40 | |
| Attempted return of ark; death of Uzzah | 13:1–14 | 6:1–11 |
| David’s house built | 14:1–2 | 5:11–12 |
| David’s children in Jerusalem | 14:3–7 | 5:13–16 |
| David defeats Philistines | 14:8–17 | 5:17–25 |
| Spiritual preparation for the ark’s return | 15:1–24 | |
| Ark brought to Jerusalem | 15:25–16:6 | 6:12–19 |
| David and Michal | 6:20–23 | |
| David’s psalm of praise | 16:7–43 | |
| David’s desire to build the temple | 17:1–2 | 7:1–3 |
| Davidic covenant | 17:3–15 | 7:4–17 |
| David’s prayer of praise | 17:16–27 | 7:18–29 |
| David’s victories | 18:1–13 | 8:1–14 |
| David’s officials | 18:14–17 | 8:15–18 |
| David helps Mephibosheth | 9:1–13 | |
| Ammonites defeated | 19:1–15 | 10:1–14 |
| Syrians defeated | 19:16–19 | 10:15–19 |
| Ammonites defeated | 20:1–3 | 11:1; 12:26–31 |
| David and Bathsheba | 11:2–12:25 | |
| Amnon, Tamar, and Absalom | 13:1–14:33 | |
| Absalom’s rebellion | 15:1–19:43 | |
| Sheba’s rebellion | 20:1–26 | |
| Famine; death of Saul’s sons | 21:1–14 | |
| War with Philistines; the Philistine giants | 20:4–8 | 21:15–22 |
| David’s psalm of deliverance | 22:1–51 | |
| David’s last words | 23:1–7 | |
| David’s census | 21:1–27 | 24:1–25 |
| David plans for the temple | 21:28–22:5 | |
| David’s charge to Solomon and the leaders | 22:6–19 | |
| David organizes temple personnel | 23:1–26:32 | |
| Israel’s military | 27:1–15 | |
| Israel’s leaders | 27:16–34 | |
| David’s charge to Israel; affirmation of Solomon | 28:1–10 | |
| Pattern for the temple | 28:11–21 | |
| Offerings for the temple | 29:1–9 | |
| David’s prayer of thanks for the temple | 29:10–19 | |
| 1 Kings | ||
| David and Abishag | 1:1–4 | |
| Adonijah claims the throne | 1:5–27 | |
| Solomon’s coronation | 29:20–25 | 1:28–40 |
| David instructs Solomon | 2:1–9 | |
| Death of David | 29:26–30 | 2:10–11 |
| Solomon establishes his kingdom | 2:12–46 | |
| 2 Chronicles | ||
| Solomon marries Pharaoh’s daughter | 3:1–3 | |
| Solomon at Gibeon | 1:1–6 | 3:4 |
| God gives Solomon wisdom | 1:7–12 | 3:5–14 |
| Solomon’s wise judgment | 3:16–28 | |
| Solomon’s prosperity | 1:14–17 | 4:20–34 |
| Preparations for the temple | 2:1–18 | 5:1–18 |
| Temple built | 3:1–5:1 | 6:1–38;7:13–51 |
| Solomon’s palace | 7:1–12 | |
| Ark brought to the temple | 5:2–12 | 8:1–9 |
| God’s glory fills the temple | 5:13–14 | 8:10–11 |
| Solomon blesses the people | 6:1–11 | 8:12–21 |
| Solomon consecrates the temple | 6:12–42 | 8:22–61 |
| Fire from the Lord consumes the sacrifices | 7:1–3 | |
| Solomon and the people offer sacrifices | 7:4–7 | 8:62–64 |
| Feast of Tabernacles | 7:8–10 | 8:65–66 |
| The covenant confirmed | 7:11–22 | 9:1–9 |
| Solomon’s territory increases | 8:1–6 | 9:10–19 |
| Solomon’s enemies defeated | 8:7–10 | 9:20–23 |
| Solomon’s religious practices | 8:11–16 | 9:24–25 |
| Solomon’s economic operations | 8:17–18 | 9:26–28 |
| Queen of Sheba visits | 9:1–12 | 10:1–13 |
| Solomon’s wealth | 9:13–28 | 10:14–29 |
| Solomon’s apostasy and adversaries | 11:1–40 | |
| Death of Solomon | 9:29–31 | 11:41–43 |
| Division of the kingdom | 10:1–11:23 | 12:1–33 |
| Man of God from Judah warns Jeroboam (Israel) | 13:1–34 | |
| Ahijah’s prophecy against Jeroboam | 14:1–18 | |
| Death of Jeroboam | 14:19–20 | |
| Shishak invades Judah | 12:1–12 | 14:25–28 |
| Reign of Rehoboam (Judah) | 12:13–16 | 14:21–24,29–31 |
| War between Judah and Israel | 13:1–22 | 15:1–8 |
| Evaluation of Asa (Judah) | 14:1–8 | 15:9–12 |
| Ethiopians defeated | 14:9–15 | |
| Azariah the prophet | 15:1–7 | |
| Asa’s reforms | 15:8–19 | 15:13–15 |
| Asa defeats Syria | 16:1–10 | 15:16–22 |
| Death of Asa | 16:11–14 | 15:23–24 |
| Reigns of Nadab, Baasha, Elah, Zimri, Omri (Israel) | 15:25–16:28 | |
| Ahab becomes king (Israel) | 16:29–34 | |
| Elijah | 17:1–19:18;21:17–29 | |
| Call of Elisha | 19:19–21 | |
| Ahab conquers Syria, acquires Naboth’s vineyard | 20:1–21:29 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoshaphat (Judah) | 17:1–9 | |
| Expansion of Judah | 17:10–19 | |
| Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab; death of Ahab | 18:1–34 | 22:1–40 |
| Jehoshaphat’s reforms, crisis, and deliverance | 19:1–20:30 | |
| Reign of Jehoshaphat | 20:31–37 | 22:41–50 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Israel) | 22:51–53 | |
| 2 Kings | ||
| Death of Ahaziah; Elijah’s prophecy | 1:1–18 | |
| Elijah and Elisha | 2:1–25 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Israel) | 3:1–3 | |
| Moab rebels | 3:4–27 | |
| The widow’s oil | 4:1–7 | |
| The Shunammite woman | 4:8–37 | |
| Miracles for the prophets | 4:38–44 | |
| Naaman healed | 5:1–27 | |
| The axe head recovered | 6:1–7 | |
| Chariots of fire | 6:8–23 | |
| Siege of Samaria | 6:24–7:20 | |
| Shunammite’s land restored | 8:1–6 | |
| Hazael kills Ben-hadad | 8:7–15 | |
| Evaluation of Jehoram (Judah) | 21:1–7 | 8:16–19 |
| Edom and Libnah rebel | 21:8–11 | 8:20–22 |
| Warning of Elijah | 21:12–15 | |
| Invasion of Philistia and Arabia | 21:16–17 | |
| Death of Jehoram | 21:18–20 | 8:23–24 |
| Reign of Ahaziah (Judah) | 22:1–9 | 8:25–29; 9:15–16, 27–28; 10:12–14 |
| Reign of Jehu (Israel) | 22:7–9 | 9:1–10:36 |
| Reign of Athaliah (Judah) | 22:10–23:15 | 11:1–16 |
| Jehoiada’s reforms (Judah) | 23:16–21 | 11:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Joash (Judah) | 24:1–3 | 11:21–12:3 |
| Joash repairs the temple | 24:4–14 | 12:4–16 |
| Death of Jehoiada | 24:15–16 | |
| Jehoiada’s son killed | 24:17–22 | |
| Syria invades Judah | 24:23–24 | 12:17–18 |
| Death of Joash | 24:25–27 | 12:19–21 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Israel) | 13:1–9 | |
| Reign of Jehoash (Israel) | 13:10–13 | |
| Elisha’s final prophecy and death | 13:14–25 | |
| Reign of Amaziah (Judah) | 25:1–16 | 14:1–20 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 25:17–24 | 14:8–14 |
| Death of Amaziah | 25:25–28 | 14:17–20 |
| Evaluation of Uzziah (Judah) | 26:1–5 | 14:21–22; 15:1–5 |
| Reign of Jeroboam II (Israel) | 14:23–29 | |
| Victories of Uzziah | 26:6–15 | |
| Sinful offering of Uzziah | 26:16–21 | |
| Death of Uzziah | 26:22–23 | 15:6–7 |
| Reign of Zechariah (Israel) | 15:8–12 | |
| Reign of Shallum (Israel) | 15:13–16 | |
| Reign of Menahem (Israel) | 15:17–22 | |
| Reign of Pekahiah (Israel) | 15:23–26 | |
| Reign of Pekah (Israel) | 15:27–31 | |
| Reign of Jotham (Judah) | 27:1–9 | 15:32–38 |
| Evaluation of Ahaz (Judah) | 28:1–4 | 16:1–4 |
| Israel defeats Judah | 28:5–21 | 16:5–9 |
| Ahaz’s idolatry and death | 28:22–27 | 16:10–12 |
| Fall of Israel | 17:1–23 | |
| Resettlement of Israel | 17:24–41 | |
| Evaluation of Hezekiah (Judah) | 29:1–2 | 18:1–8 |
| Hezekiah cleanses the temple | 29:3–19 | |
| Hezekiah restores temple worship | 29:20–36 | |
| Hezekiah restores Passover | 30:1–27 | |
| Hezekiah destroys idols, organizes priests | 31:1–21 | |
| Fall of Israel (restated) | 18:9–12 | |
| Assyria invades Judah | 32:1–23 | 18:13–19:37 |
| Hezekiah’s illness and restoration | 32:24–26 | 20:1–11 |
| Hezekiah’s wealth and foolish pride | 32:27–31 | 20:12–19 |
| Death of Hezekiah | 32:32–33 | 20:20–21 |
| Reign of Manasseh (Judah) | 33:1–9 | 21:1–18 |
| Manasseh’s repentance | 33:10–20 | |
| Reign of Amon (Judah) | 33:21–25 | 21:19–26 |
| Evaluation of Josiah (Judah) | 34:1–2 | 22:1–2 |
| Josiah’s early reforms | 34:3–7 | |
| Josiah repairs the temple | 34:8–13 | 22:3–7 |
| Book of Law discovered; Josiah’s reforms | 34:14–33 | 22:8–23:20 |
| Passover celebrated | 35:1–19 | 23:21–27 |
| Death of Josiah | 35:20–27 | 23:28–30 |
| Reign of Jehoahaz (Judah) | 36:1–3 | 23:31–33 |
| Reign of Jehoiakim (Judah) | 36:4–8 | 23:34–24:7 |
| Reign of Jehoiachin (Judah); Babylonian captivity | 36:9–10 | 24:8–17 |
| Evaluation of Zedekiah (Judah) | 36:11–12 | 24:18–20 |
| Destruction of Jerusalem | 36:13–21 | 25:1–21 |
| Remnant flees to Egypt | 25:22–26 | |
| Jehoiachin released | 25:27–30 | |
| Proclamation by Cyrus | 36:22–23 |
Josiah
Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. He had been ruling Judah for 18 years when Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Law. As soon as Josiah heard the commands of God, he tore his clothes in grief and despair. He launched a massive effort to abolish pagan worship throughout Judah and Israel. After organizing a covenant-renewal ceremony, he destroyed all the buildings associated with idol worship. Among his most significant deeds was restoring the celebration of the Passover, which had not been observed since the days of the judges. Josiah was more faithful to the Lord than even David and Hezekiah. He was like the ideal king described in Deut. 17:19–20. (2 Kings 23:25)
2 Kings 22:2 Josiah is the ideal king who does not turn from the Mosaic law to the right or to the left (Deut. 17:20). His faithfulness to God is even greater than that of David and Hezekiah (2 Kings 23:21–25).
2 Kings 22:3–7 the king sent Shaphan. Like Joash in 12:1–16, Josiah’s initial concern is simply to repair the temple, not to reform its worship. In fact, the reforms introduced by Joash some 200 years previously are still in place. The doorkeepers still collect the money for temple repairs, and the secretary and the high priest still count and distribute the money to the men in charge of the work.
2 Kings 22:8 I have found the Book of the Law. The phrase “Book of the Law” may refer to all or part of the Pentateuch. Most scholars think a portion of Deuteronomy was discovered, which was read to the king and provided the basis for his actions. This written Law had been available to the kings of Israel and Judah in previous years (see 1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 10:31; 14:6; 18:6), but it was evidently lost or concealed during the long and wicked reign of Manasseh.
Fact: Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read?
Why did Josiah tear his clothes when the Law was read? As the Book of the Law was read in public for the first time in nearly 60 years, King Josiah tore his clothes as a sign of his grief. He grieved when he realized that he, as the nation’s leader, had not been fulfilling the commandments of the Lord.
2 Kings 22:11–13 Brought up in a royal court that had disobeyed God for 57 years, Josiah did not know the Lord’s demands. As soon as he became aware, he tore his clothes in grief and despair (compare 5:7–8; 6:30) and sent officials to inquire of the LORD.
Fact: “prophesy out of their own hearts”
The women in 13:17 who “prophesy out of their own hearts” were false prophets and magicians. Unlike Miriam (Ex. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), and Huldah (2 Kings 22:14), these female prophets did not speak God’s words.
2 Kings 22:14–16 The officials (v. 11) consulted an otherwise unknown prophetess named Huldah. Her words confirm what is already known from the unnamed prophets of 21:10–15: the Lord is going to bring disaster on Jerusalem and its people.
2 Kings 22:20 Because Josiah has humbled himself before the Lord, he will die before the terrible events prophesied in 21:12–14 and 22:15–17 occur.
2 Kings 23:2–3 the king went up to the house of the LORD. Since Josiah is a faithful king, Huldah’s message of doom does not keep him from pursuing religious reform in light of the Book of the Covenant. His first move is to organize a covenant-renewal ceremony.
Fact: The host of heaven
The host of heaven refers in 23:4 to false gods, represented by celestial bodies such as the sun, moon, and planets. King Josiah ordered the destruction of all these symbols of pagan worship.
2 Kings 23:8 defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings. These were local places of worship in various cities (see note on 1 Kings 3:2).
2 Kings 23:4–9 The eastern slopes of the Kidron Valley had been associated with idolatry since the time of Solomon (1 Kings 11:7). It was a convenient place to destroy cult objects, thereby desecrating the valley itself as a religious site. On male cult prostitutes (2 Kings 23:7), see note on 1 Kings 14:24. The hangings for the Asherah (2 Kings 23:7) are probably ritual garments used in the worship of this goddess (compare 10:22).
2 Kings 23:10 The Valley of the Son of Hinnom ran along the western and southern sides of ancient Jerusalem until it met the Kidron Valley running from north to south. It is associated with the worship of Molech (see note on 1 Kings 11:7–8) at the site named Topheth. “Hinnom Valley” is the short form of the name, transliterated into Greek as “Gehenna.”
2 Kings 23:11 horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun. The practice of dedicating horses to the sun appears to have been an Assyrian custom.
2 Kings 23:12 altars on the roof. The roof is a natural location for worship of the stars (see 16:1–4).
2 Kings 23:13 Because idolatrous altars were there, the Mount of Olives is here called the mount of corruption. Ashtoreth is the biblical name for Astarte or Venus. On Chemosh and Milcom, see notes on 1 Kings 11:5; 11:7–8.
2 Kings 23:14 he broke in pieces the pillars. Josiah destroys all the buildings associated with idol worship.
2 Kings 23:15–20 altar at Bethel. Josiah not only destroys but also defiles (vv. 8, 10, 13) the altar by placing pagan religious objects close to graves and human bones (vv. 6, 14). This fulfills the prophecy of 1 Kings 13:2. See also 1 Kings 13:11–32 for the background to 2 Kings 23:17–18.
2 Kings 23:22 A Passover like this had not been observed since the days of the judges (see Josh. 5:10–12 for the last mention of Passover and Deut. 16:1–8, especially v. 6, for instructions for Passover).
2 Kings 23:24 Mediums and necromancers try to get information by inquiring of the dead. The household gods were images of deities that were either life-size (1 Sam. 19:13–16) or figurine-size (Gen. 31:19–35). They were usually made of wood and covered with metal and precious stones.
2 Kings 23:25 Despite several generations of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord, somehow Josiah was a righteous king who turned to the LORD with all his heart.
2 Kings 23:26 Though Josiah was righteous, this did not turn away God’s wrath from the nation. God will use exile to purify his people of deeply rooted unfaithfulness.
Fact: Josiah’s reforms
Josiah’s reforms reveal the true extent of Judah’s idolatry (23:1–27). Despite God’s commands to worship him alone, his people adopted Canaanite gods, including Baal, Asherah, and Molech. They also worshiped the stars and small household idols.
2 Kings 22:1–23:30 Josiah. Josiah is a long-awaited good king (see 1 Kings 13:2). He does many significant deeds, but it comes too late to change Judah’s fate.
2 Kings 23:28–30 Pharaoh Neco killed him at Megiddo. This battle took place in 609 B.C. Pharaoh Neco II marched north for what was apparently the last joint Assyrian-Egyptian military effort against the Babylonians and their allies, the Medes. Megiddo controlled the main international highway running from Egypt to Damascus as it entered the Jezreel Valley. Josiah wanted to prevent Egypt’s strengthening of Assyria. On the Chronicles of the Kings, see note on 1 Kings 14:19.
2 Kings 23:31–35 Jehoahaz. The new king of Judah is summoned to Neco’s temporary headquarters at Riblah, as the Egyptians return from their unsuccessful siege of Haran (609 B.C.). Neco removes Jehoahaz from power (see note on 2 Chron. 36:1–4.)
Josiah
Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah. He had been ruling Judah for 18 years when Hilkiah, the high priest, found the Book of the Law. As soon as Josiah heard the commands of God, he tore his clothes in grief and despair. He launched a massive effort to abolish pagan worship throughout Judah and Israel. After organizing a covenant-renewal ceremony, he destroyed all the buildings associated with idol worship. Among his most significant deeds was restoring the celebration of the Passover, which had not been observed since the days of the judges. Josiah was more faithful to the Lord than even David and Hezekiah. He was like the ideal king described in Deut. 17:19–20. (2 Kings 23:25)
2 Kings 24:2 And the LORD sent against him bands. See 23:26–27.
2 Kings 24:5 Chronicles of the Kings. See note on 1 Kings 14:19.
2 Kings 23:36–24:7 The Egyptians replace Jehoahaz with his brother Jehoiakim. He faces the armies of Babylon that have just defeated Assyria and are now invading Palestine on their way to Egypt. Babylon’s king Nebuchadnezzar was never able to defeat Egypt completely but he made certain that the king of Egypt did not come again out of his land. Jehoiakim first switched his allegiance from Egypt to Babylon (604 B.C.). Then in 601, after Nebuchadnezzar failed to invade Egypt (that is, after three years), Jehoiakim rebelled against Babylon and looked once again to Egypt for help (see Jer. 46:14–28).
2 Kings 24:8–17 Jehoiachin. Babylon’s withdrawal from Palestine in 601 B.C. turned out to be temporary. Jehoiakim’s rebellion brought the Babylonian army to the gates of Jerusalem at the end of 598. The city surrendered in March 597 B.C. By this time Jehoiachin was king. Significant deportations followed (on deportation as an imperial tactic, see note on 15:27–31). Although 1–2 Kings does not mention this, the prophet Ezekiel was among the exiles. His prophetic ministry began a few years later in Babylon (Ezek. 1:2–3).
Exile to Babylon
597, 586, 582 B.C.
It appears that three separate deportations of Judeans to Babylon took place under the rule of Nebuchadnezzar (see also Jer. 52:28–30). The first came during the reign of Jehoiachin, when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem and carried away many of the treasures of the temple and the royal palace. The second occurred after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C., when the walls of the city were leveled and the temple was completely destroyed. The third appears to have occurred around 582 B.C. while King Nebuchadnezzar was reasserting his control over the general region of Palestine (see note on Jer. 52:28–30).
Fact: Babylonians
The Babylonians exiled people from Judah and Jerusalem in stages. Daniel and his friends were taken in 605 B.C. Ezekiel was deported in 597 B.C., along with King Jehoiachin and many others (2 Kings 24:8–17). The final exile occurred 10 years later.
Fact: What is a siege?
What is a siege? In ancient times, a “siege” occurred when an enemy army surrounded a city and demanded that it surrender. If the city refused, the invaders cut off food and water supplies and attempted to tear down the city’s defensive walls. Cities usually surrendered when they ran out of water. Those who fought to the end faced terrible consequences when their enemies finally overwhelmed them (6:24–7:20; 17:5; 25:1–2).
2 Kings 24:18–25:7 Jehoiachin’s uncle Mattaniah ruled next, under the name of Zedekiah. He was under Babylonian control. Jeremiah 27:1 and 28:1 suggest that from early in his reign he was plotting a revolt, and eventually he rebelled. A two-year siege of Jerusalem followed. The city eventually fell in 587 or 586 B.C. Zedekiah fled, but was captured (see also note on 2 Chron. 36:11–16).
2 Kings 25:8–12 A few weeks after the fall of Jerusalem, the full vengeance of the Babylonian king came upon the city.
2 Kings 25:13–14 Pillars of bronze that were in the house of the LORD begins a detailed list of temple furnishings (vv. 13–17) carried off by the Babylonians for the value of their metal.
2 Kings 25:21 Almost all hope is gone in the summary statement, So Judah was taken into exile out of its land. But the land is still “its land,” holding out the promise of a future return.
2 Kings 25:22–26 Gedaliah, the new governor of the territory that once was Judah, was the grandson of King Josiah’s secretary Shaphan. His assassination caused a general flight to Egypt.
Fact: What happened to the ark of the covenant?
What happened to the ark of the covenant? After the fall of Jerusalem, the ark completely disappeared from historical records. It is unlikely that the Babylonians took it because there is no mention of it in Babylonian records.
The Hebrew Calendar
The Hebrew calendar was composed of 12 lunar months, each of which began when the thin crescent moon was first visible at sunset. They were composed of approximately 29/30 days and were built around the agricultural seasons. Apparently some of the names of the months were changed after the time of Israel’s exile in Babylon (e.g., the first month of Abib changed to Nisan; for dates of the exile, see p. 31). The months of the Hebrew calendar (left column) are compared to the corresponding months of the modern (Gregorian) calendar shown in the center column. Biblical references (in the third column) indicate references to the Hebrew calendar cited in the Bible.
*Periodically, a 13th month was added so that the lunar calendar would account for the entire solar year.
2 Kings 23:31–25:30 The End of Judah. The story of 1–2 Kings now ends as Babylon becomes the great world power. The Babylonians destroy Jerusalem and carry its treasures and its people to Babylon. The survival of Josiah’s grandson Jehoiachin offers what little hope exists for the future of the “lamp” of David (1 Kings 11:36).
2 Kings 25:27–30 Evil-merodach was Nebuchadnezzar’s son and successor. His release of the Judean king from prison in 561 B.C. gives the reader some hope that there is still a future for the Davidic line.
Evaluating Kings of Israel and Judah in 1–2 Kings
The Divided Kingdom: Kings of Judah (all dates B.C.)
| King | Years of Reign | Total Years | Accession Year* | Possible Co-Reigns | References in 1–2 Kings** | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rehoboam | 931/930–915/914 | 17 | 1 Kings 12:1–24; 14:21–31 | |||
| Abijah/Abijam | 915/914–912/911 | 3 | 18 of Jeroboam I | 1 Kings 15:1–8 | ||
| Asa | 912/911–871/870 | 41 | 20 of Jeroboam I | 1 Kings 15:9–24 | ||
| Jehoshaphat | 871/870–849/848 | 25 | 4 of Ahab | with Asa from 873 | 1 Kings 22:41–50 | |
| Jehoram/Joram | 849/848–842 | 7 (8) | 5 of Joram | with Jehoshaphat from 853 | 2 Kings 8:16–24 | Married Athaliah, a daughter of Ahab (Israel) |
| Ahaziah | 842–841 | 1 (2) | 11 of Joram | 2 Kings 8:25–29; 9:21–28 | Killed by Jehu (Israel) in 841 | |
| Athaliah (Q.) | 841–835 | 6 | 2 Kings 11:1–20 | Killed by Jehoiada the priest | ||
| Joash/Jehoash | 835–796/795 | 39 (40) | 7 of Jehu | 2 Kings 12:1–21 | Hidden from Athaliah for 6 years (841–835) by Jehosheba, the sister of Ahaziah; protected by Jehoiada the priest | |
| Amaziah | 796/795–767 | 29 | 2 of Joash/Jehoash | 2 Kings 14:1–22 | ||
| Uzziah/Azariah | 767–740/739 | 52 | 27 of Jeroboam II | with Amaziah from 791 | 2 Kings 15:1–7 | |
| Jotham | 750–735/730 | 16 (20) | 2 of Pekah | Uzziah is alive in 750 but inactive in rule (see 2 Kings 15:5) | 2 Kings 15:32–38 | |
| Ahaz | 735/730–715 | 16 (20) | 17 of Pekah | 2 Kings 16:1–20 | ||
| Hezekiah | 715–687/686 | 29 | 3 of Hoshea | with Ahaz from 728 | 2 Kings 18:1–20:21 | |
| Manasseh | 687/686–642 | 55 | No further accession dates after fall of Israel in 722 | with Hezekiah from 697/696 | 2 Kings 21:1–18 | |
| Amon | 642–640 | 2 | 2 Kings 21:19–26 | |||
| Josiah | 640–609 | 31 | 2 Kings 22:1–23:30 | Killed by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt | ||
| Jehoahaz | 609 | 3 months | 2 Kings 23:31–34 | Taken by Pharaoh Neco to Egypt | ||
| Jehoiakim | 609–598 | 11 | 2 Kings 23:35–24:7 | Set on the throne by Pharaoh Neco of Egypt | ||
| Jehoiachin/Jeconiah | 598–597 | 3 months | 2 Kings 24:8–17; 25:27–30 | Exiled to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597; released and honored by Evil-merodach of Babylon in 562 | ||
| Zedekiah | 597–586 | 11 | 2 Kings 24:18–20 | Zedekiah is Jehoiachin’s uncle; Jerusalem and Judah fall to Babylon in 586 |
*This chart follows the dating method found in both Kings and Chronicles: For Judah, accession to the throne is marked by a year within the reign of a king of Israel. Parentheses—e.g., 39 (40)—indicate non-accession year dating (year of accession is counted in the totals of both the predecessor and the new king). The actual number of years in a reign can be determined by subtracting 1 from the number given (40 – 1 = 39 actual years).
**The verses cited in 1–2 Kings do not include the initial mention of a ruler, which occurs in reference to the death of his father (e.g., Abijam in 1 Kings 14:31).
Israel and Judah in 2 Kings
c. 853 B.C.
The book of 2 Kings tells of events in Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the exile of Israel and Judah. The story involves Israel, Judah, Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, as well as Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond Israel’s borders.
Introduction to 1–2 Kings
Timeline
Author and Date
The author or authors of these two books is unknown. As the titles of the books indicate, 1–2 Kings describe the period of the monarchy in ancient Israel (970–586 B.C.), concentrating on the kings who ruled after David.
Theme
The books show that Israel suffers again and again because of its great sinfulness (2 Kings 17:7–23; 24:1–4). Yet there is still hope for the nation, because God’s chosen family of kings has not come to an end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remains ready to forgive those who repent (1 Kings 8:22–61).
Purpose, Occasion, and Background
The fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 B.C. raised several questions: Was Israel’s God not in fact in control of history, as Moses had claimed? If the God of Moses did exist, and was good and all-powerful, how was it that God’s chosen city and temple had been destroyed, and his chosen royal family had all but come to its end?
The books of Kings respond to such questions, explaining why Israel was defeated. Israel’s God is indeed in control of nature and history. There are no other true gods anywhere. It is this good and all-powerful God who has overseen the destruction of his chosen city and his temple, and Israel’s exile to Babylon. Israel’s sin has caused these punishments.
After the division of the kingdom, the northern kingdom of Israel lasted slightly more than 200 years (931–722 B.C.), with 19 different kings, all of whom were wicked. The southern kingdom of Judah had the same number of kings, but many of them were good, and Judah lasted almost 150 years longer (931–586 B.C.). Toward the end of Judah’s monarchy came two of its best kings: Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:1–20:21) and Josiah (2 Kings 22:1–23:30). Yet the people still rebelled against the Lord, and Judah, like Israel, eventually went into exile as punishment for its sin. But hope remained, for God’s chosen royal line had not come to a complete end (2 Kings 25:27–30), and God remained ready to forgive those who repented.
Key Themes
- Yahweh is the only true God, and he controls nature. There is only one living God, and he is the Lord. He alone controls the natural order (1 Kings 17–19; 2 Kings 1:2–17; 4:8–37; 5:1–18; 6:1–7, 27).
- Yahweh controls history. The Lord rules over the past, present, and future. He alone controls the historical process (1 Kings 11:14, 23; 14:1–18; 22:1–38; 2 Kings 5:1–18; 10:32–33; 18:17–19:37).
- Yahweh demands exclusive worship. As the only God, the Lord demands exclusive worship. He alone will be worshiped, by Israelite and foreigner alike (1 Kings 8:41–43, 60; 2 Kings 5:15–18; 17:24–41).
- The content and place of true worship. Much of 1–2 Kings is concerned with exposing false religion. It speaks out against the content of false worship (1 Kings 11:1–40; 12:25–13:34; 14:22–24; 16:29–33; 2 Kings 16:1–4; 17:7–23; 21:1–9). It also exposes the wrongful place of such false worship (1 Kings 3:2; 5:1–9:9; 15:14; 22:43; 2 Kings 18:4; 23:1–20).
- The consequences of false worship. True worship of God includes obedience to the law of God. The worship of something other than God always leads to mistreating other people.
- Yahweh is the just and gracious Lawgiver. The Lord gave the law, which defines true worship, right thinking, and correct behavior. The Lord is also the one who punishes wrongdoers.
- Yahweh is the promise-giver. Israel’s God is a promise-giver. The divine promises given to the patriarchs and to David are an important theme in 1–2 Kings.
1 Kings Outline
- The Reign of King Solomon (1:1–11:43)
- The Kingdom Is Divided (12:1–14:31)
- Abijam and Asa (15:1–24)
- From Nadab to Ahab (15:25–16:34)
- Elijah and Ahab (17:1–22:40)
- Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah (22:41–53)
2 Kings Outline
- The Death of Ahaziah (1:1–18)
- Elisha and Israel (2:1–10:36)
- Joash (11:1–12:21)
- Jehoahaz and Jehoash (13:1–25)
- Amaziah, Jeroboam II, and Azariah (14:1–15:7)
- Israel’s Last Days (15:8–31)
- Jotham and Ahaz (15:32–16:20)
- The End of Israel (17:1–41)
- Hezekiah (18:1–20:21)
- Manasseh and Amon (21:1–26)
- Josiah (22:1–23:30)
- The End of Judah (23:31–25:30)
The Extent of Solomon’s Kingdom
c. 971–931 B.C.
Solomon’s reign marked the high point of Israel’s power and wealth in biblical times. Solomon’s father, David, had given him a kingdom that included Edom, Moab, Ammon, Syria, and Zobah. Solomon would later rule over the kingdom of Hamath as well, and his marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter resulted in an alliance with Egypt. Solomon controlled important trade routes between several major world powers, including Egypt, Arabia, Mesopotamia, and Anatolia (Asia Minor).
Israel and Judah in 2 Kings
c. 853 B.C.
The book of 2 Kings tells of events in Israel and Judah from the death of Ahab to the exile of Israel and Judah. The story involves Israel, Judah, Syria, Ammon, Moab, Edom, and Philistia, as well as Egypt, Assyria, Babylonia, and other kingdoms far beyond Israel’s borders.
Fact: Live long in the land of Israel
God promised his people that they would live long in the land of Israel, if they would love, obey, and serve him (11:9, 21). They failed to do this and were eventually defeated and taken into exile (2 Kings 17; 25).
Fact: “Man of God,”
“Man of God,” meaning “prophet,” is used 37 times in 1–2 Kings. Though God judged the Judean prophet’s disobedience (13:1–32), his prophecy against the temple in Bethel was fulfilled, and King Josiah preserved his burial place (2 Kings 23:15–20).
Fact: How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings?
How does Chronicles differ from Samuel and Kings? The books of 1–2 Samuel and 1–2 Kings show that the Lord drove Israel and Judah from their land because of their sin. The books of 1–2 Chronicles agree that Israel sinned and suffered exile as a result. They also show that God still had a purpose for his people.
Why did the southern kingdom fall?
Listen NowDive Deeper | 2 Kings 22-25
As someone who regularly loses most things (phone, keys, wallet, headphones, etc.), I have a handful of things that, shockingly, even I have never misplaced, one of which is my wedding ring. It's important to me. The Judean people, however, were unaware that a scroll (likely part of Deuteronomy) was missing. Through this, we inadvertently learn that what you don't know does in fact have the power to hurt you. We see in 2 Kings 22:13 that when we forget truth—covered in the dust of our busyness—our hearts can't help but go astray.
Unlike the evil Judean kings before him, Josiah earns his title as Israel's last good king through his response to shocking information, showing that our response to truth reveals our humanity and humility. We cannot change people's hearts or deliver them from divine judgment, but we can show them what it means to follow the Lord and enjoy His blessings. King Josiah's pursuit of the Lord and commitment to obeying Him were both an example and a rebuke to the people of Judah.
The story doesn't stop there, though. God turns the shrines and high places, once filled with idols, into graveyards filled with the bones of men. These places of idol worship become places of death, showing once again in this overarching theme in Scripture—no idols shall come before the one true God.
Hopefully, we all can see our own testimony in the story of Josiah where truth is revealed to us and we realize our brokenness and need of a savior to rescue us from impending disaster. God graciously spares us; and, as we accept that gift, it transforms us so drastically that we want to turn the places of our heart dedicated to idol worship into graveyards and renew our heart to worship and serve the one true God.
This month's memory verse
"God's way is perfect. All the Lord's promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection. For who is God except the Lord? Who but our God is a solid rock?" (NLT)
– 2 Samuel 22:31-32
Discussion Questions
1. In what areas of your life are you responding with humility to the truth being revealed to you?
2. What places in your heart resemble the high places of Judah? What idols would you like God to start empowering you to remove?
3. According to these chapters and previous ones, what separates Josiah from some of the other rulers? What makes him good?
4. Take a moment and meditate on God's mercy and grace in your life—does your perspective of the day change? What does this make you want to do or turn from?
5. Reflect on the places God has brought freedom into your life. Spend time thanking Him; and, as a bonus, share it with someone.