Josiah: The Last Good King

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Josiah: the last good king

 

To rightfully grasp the significance of this man’s life, and his spiritual and historical impact on human history, one will need to pay careful careful, and close attention to detail. this man’s life and his involvement with those who had gone before him, and those who would come after him, is intricately, laid out in the history and details, in the testimony of God.
Josiah’s life arguably began 300 years before he was born. 
You can see and judge for yourself this point: (1 Kings 13:1-34)
Prophecy of Josiah’s name and reforms (1 Kings 13:2)
  • Spoken by an unnamed prophet approximately 300 years before Josiah’s reign.
  • Predicts Josiah’s name and his future destruction of idolatrous altars.

After this miraculous announcement: Josiah was born 300 years later, and began to fulfill, the word of God spoken over his life, much like king, Cyrus of Persia, who was  prophesied by Isaiah, approximately 200 years before he was born.

These two prophets (Isaiah and Jeremiah) and the kings (King Cyrus and king Josiah) are intimately intertwined in the destruction of the temple of God in Jerusalem, and the restoration of the temple in Jerusalem.

These events also correspond with the rejection of the people of God, also known as the deportation (getting kicked out of the land of promise, for doing the same evil things, the people before Israel did in the land of promise), and the restoration of the people of God (after they had repented from their sins, and paid the punishment for them 70 years in exile), after they have been exiled and disciplined, corrected, cleansed, and reformed.
Josiah did the exact things that the prophet predicted he would do. Which is interesting, because the un-named prophet prophesied, he would be a righteous king, but Josiah’s father could arguably be called one of the most evil kings in the history of Israel and Judah, and Josiah’s grandfather also did terrible things against God and the Covenant.
To give an overview: Josiah’s great grandfather, Hezekiah, was a righteous king. Hezekiah served God better than most. Hezekiah trusted God to save the people of Judah from the destruction of their enemies. Hezekiah taught his people how to worship God, according to God’s perspective: According to the law of God. He won favor with his own people, and the esstrange tribes of Israel to the north. He walked with God in a miraculous way, and delivered the people of Israel from near destruction. Manasseh his son did the opposite. Manasseh led the people in idolatry and brought idols and horrific evil into Judah, even into the temple of God. Manasseh promoted the worship of Molek the god of Moab. He burned his own children in the fire. Vanessa was attacked by the king of Babylon, and taking prisoner to Babylon. There Manassa saw the evil of his own ways, and he repented, and was brought back to Babylon and reformed and renounce the worship of idolatry, and Jerusalem and Judah. But Manasseh’s son Amon saw all that happened to Manasseh, and yet still returned the people of Judah back to idolatry. So no human being could have predicted that Josiah would be righteous, nor have predicted the things that only Josiah did.

Before going much further it is recommended to read: 

1 Kings 13:1-34: The prophecy 300 years before Josiah

2 Kings Chapters: 16 to 25 (to the end of the Book, chronicling the demise of the Northern and Souther Tribes of Israel.)
  • The Northern Kingdom was exiled to Assyria during the Time of Hezekiah.
2 Chronicles Chapters:  28 to 36 (28 to the end of the book)
  • Some or all of these chapters may have been recorded by Jeremiah himself.
2 Kings 16:1-20, 2 Chronicles 28:1-27
Hezekiah’s Family Line:
  1. Father: Ahaz (King of Judah)
  2. Son: Manasseh (King of Judah)
  3. Grandson: Amon (King of Judah)
  4. Great-grandson: Josiah (King of Judah)
Hezekiah’s Son: Manasseh (2 Kings 20:21, 21:1-18, 2 Chronicles 32:33, 33:1-20)
  • King of Judah (697-642 BC)
  • Initially, followed pagan practices
  • Built altars to Baal and Asherah
  • Sacrificed children to Molech (the most evil Iron God of the Ammonites)
  • Consulted mediums and spiritists
  • Imprisoned by Assyrians, but repented and turned to God
Hezekiah’s Grandson: Amon (2 Kings 21:19-26, 2 Chronicles 33:21-25)
  • King of Judah (642-640 BC)
  • Followed Manasseh’s pagan practices
  • Refused to repent
  • Assassinated by officials
Hezekiah’s Great-grandson: Josiah (2 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27)
  • King of Judah (640-609 BC)
  • Initiated major reforms
  • Destroyed pagan altars and idols
  • Centralized worship in Jerusalem
  • Discovered and implemented the Book of the Law
  • Celebrated Passover
Josiah’s reforms brought a brief period of revival to Judah.
Key Takeaways:
  1. Hezekiah’s descendants struggled with faithfulness.
  2. Manasseh’s repentance shows God’s mercy.
  3. Amon’s refusal to repent highlights consequences.
  4. Josiah’s reforms demonstrate the importance of obedience.
King Josiah is mentioned in the following scriptures:
1 Kings
  • 13:2 (prophecy of Josiah’s future reforms)
  • 22:1-2 (Josiah’s accession to the throne)
2 Kings
  • 22:1-23:30 (detailed account of Josiah’s reign and reforms)
  • 23:31-24:6 (Josiah’s death and aftermath)
2 Chronicles
  • 34:1-35:27 (detailed account of Josiah’s reign and reforms)
  • 36:1-4 (Josiah’s death and aftermath)
Jeremiah
  • 1:2-3 (Jeremiah’s call during Josiah’s reign)
  • 3:6-10 (Josiah’s reforms)
  • 22:10-13, 15-16 (Josiah’s death)
  • 25:3-11 (Josiah’s reign and aftermath)
Lamentations
  • 4:20 (reference to Josiah’s death)
Matthew
  • 1:10-11 (Josiah mentioned in Jesus’ genealogy)
1 Chronicles
  • 3:14-15 (Josiah listed in the genealogy of Judah)
These scriptures provide a comprehensive overview of King Josiah’s life, reign, and legacy.
Would you like me to provide more details about King Josiah’s life or reign?
Here are some detailed prophecies about King Josiah:
1. Prophecy of Josiah’s name and reforms (1 Kings 13:2)
  • Spoken by an unnamed prophet approximately 300 years before Josiah’s reign.
  • Predicts Josiah’s name and his future destruction of idolatrous altars.
2. Prophecy of Josiah’s destruction of idolatry (2 Kings 23:15-20, 2 Chronicles 34:3-7)
  • Fulfillment of the prophecy in 1 Kings 13:2.
  • Josiah destroys the altar at Bethel, burns the bones of the false prophets, and destroys other idolatrous sites.
3. Prophecy of Josiah’s repair of the Temple (2 Chronicles 34:8-13)
  • Predicted by Hilkiah the high priest and other officials.
  • Josiah initiates repairs on the Temple, leading to the discovery of the Book of the Law.
4. Prophecy of judgment and restoration (2 Chronicles 34:24-28, 35:20-27)
  • Spoken by Huldah the prophetess.
  • Predicts God’s judgment on Judah for their sins but also promises restoration and protection during Josiah’s reign.
5. Prophecy of Josiah’s death (1 Kings 22:1-2, 2 Chronicles 35:20-24, 2 Kings 23:29-30)
  • Predicted by Huldah the prophetess.
  • Josiah dies in battle against Pharaoh Necho II, fulfilling the prophecy.
6. Prophecy of Josiah as a righteous king (Jeremiah 1:2-3)
  • Spoken by Jeremiah.
  • Predicts Josiah’s righteousness and God’s approval.
7. Prophecy of Josiah’s successors (Jeremiah 22:10-13, 15-16)
  • Spoken by Jeremiah.
  • Predicts the failure of Josiah’s sons (Jehoahaz and Zedekiah) to follow his example.
These prophecies demonstrate God’s sovereignty and foreknowledge, highlighting Josiah’s significance in Israel’s history.
Would you like more information about King Josiah or these prophecies?
Let’s dive a little deeper into King Josiah’s life and reign.
Key Events in King Josiah’s Life:
  1. Accession to the throne (2 Kings 22:1, 2 Chronicles 34:1): Josiah becomes king at 8 years old after his father Amon’s assassination.
  2. Initial reforms (2 Chronicles 34:3-7): Josiah begins purifying Judah and Jerusalem, destroying idolatrous sites.
  3. Temple repair and discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:3-11, 2 Chronicles 34:8-21): Josiah initiates Temple repairs, leading to Hilkiah’s discovery of the Book of the Law.
  4. Covenant renewal and national reforms (2 Kings 23:1-20, 2 Chronicles 34:29-33): Josiah convenes a national assembly, renews the covenant, and destroys more idolatrous sites.
  5. Battle against Pharaoh Necho II and death (2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:20-24): Josiah dies in battle against Egypt.
Characteristics of King Josiah:
  1. Young and zealous reformer: Josiah initiated reforms at 16 years old (2 Chronicles 34:3).
  2. Humble and responsive to God: Josiah tears his robes upon hearing the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:11).
  3. Courageous leader: Josiah confronts idolatry and foreign influences.
Significance of King Josiah:
  1. Last good king of Judah: Josiah’s reforms briefly delayed Judah’s downfall.
  2. Fulfillment of prophecy: Josiah fulfilled the prophecy in 1 Kings 13:2.
  3. Model for future leaders: Josiah’s reforms served as an example for future leaders.
Lessons from King Josiah’s Life:
  1. Importance of seeking God: Josiah sought God at a young age.
  2. Courage in confronting sin: Josiah boldly addressed idolatry.
  3. Humility in leadership: Josiah’s humility led to national reform.
Here’s a breakdown of King Josiah’s life events with estimated ages:
Events and Estimated Ages:
  1. Accession to the throne (2 Kings 22:1, 2 Chronicles 34:1): 8 years old
  2. Initial reforms (2 Chronicles 34:3-7): 16 years old
  • Josiah began seeking God and purifying Judah and Jerusalem.
  1. Temple repair and discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:3-11, 2 Chronicles 34:8-21): 18-20 years old
  • Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law during Temple repairs.
  1. Covenant renewal and national reforms (2 Kings 23:1-20, 2 Chronicles 34:29-33): 20-21 years old
  • Josiah convened a national assembly, renewed the covenant, and destroyed idolatrous sites.
  1. Battle against Pharaoh Necho II and death (2 Kings 23:29-30, 2 Chronicles 35:20-24): 39 years old
Josiah: Listening to Jeremiah, the Prophet:
Jeremiah began prophesying during Josiah’s reign (Jeremiah 1:2-3). Although the exact timing is unclear, it’s likely that Josiah started listening to Jeremiah:
  1. Anywhere from age 16 to 20 years old (Jeremiah 1:2-3): Jeremiah’s call coincided with Josiah’s reforms.
  2. During the Temple repairs (2 Chronicles 34:8-21): Jeremiah among the prophets supported Josiah’s reforms.
Key events in Jeremiah’s ministry during Josiah’s reign:
  1. Jeremiah’s call (Jeremiah 1:2-3): Josiah’s 13th year(~628 BCE).
  2. Temple sermon (Jeremiah 7-10): likely during Josiah’s reforms (~622 BCE).
  3. Prophecies against Judah’s neighbors (Jeremiah 46-51): during Josiah’s reign (~620-609 BCE).
Timeline:
  • 640 BCE: Josiah born
  • 632 BCE: Josiah becomes king (8 years old)
  • 628 BCE: Jeremiah’s call (~Josiah’s 13th year)
  • 622 BCE: Temple repairs and Book of the Law discovery (~Josiah 18-20 years old)
  • 621 BCE: Covenant renewal and national reforms (~Josiah 20-21 years old)
  • 609 BCE: Battle against Pharaoh Necho II and Josiah’s death (~39 years old)
Here are some key words from Jeremiah during King Josiah’s reign:
Prophecies during Josiah’s Reign (640-609 BCE):
  1. Jeremiah’s call (Jeremiah 1:2-3): God commissions Jeremiah to prophesy to Judah during Josiah’s 13th year (~628 BCE).
  2. Judgment on Judah’s sins (Jeremiah 1:14-19, 2:1-37): Jeremiah warns Judah of impending judgment due to idolatry and disobedience.
  3. Temple sermon (Jeremiah 7-10): Jeremiah delivers a scathing message at the Temple, condemning Judah’s hypocrisy and idolatry.
  4. Prophecies against Judah’s neighbors (Jeremiah 46-51): Jeremiah prophesies judgment on surrounding nations, including Egypt, Philistia, Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Babylon.
Key Messages during Josiah’s Reign:
  1. Call to repentance (Jeremiah 3:6-10, 4:1-4): Jeremiah urges Judah to return to God.
  2. Warning of judgment (Jeremiah 4:5-31, 6:1-30): Jeremiah announces impending destruction due to Judah’s sins.
  3. Promise of restoration (Jeremiah 3:14-18, 32:36-44): Jeremiah foretells a future restoration under a righteous king.
Events and Corresponding Prophecies:
  1. Josiah’s reforms (2 Kings 23:1-20): Jeremiah likely supported these efforts (Jeremiah 21:1-14).
  2. Battle against Pharaoh Necho II (2 Kings 23:29-30): Jeremiah may have prophesied against this battle (Jeremiah 46:2-12).
Jeremiah’s Relationship with Josiah:
  1. Support for Josiah’s reforms: Jeremiah likely encouraged Josiah’s efforts to purify Judah.
  2. Advisor to Josiah: Jeremiah may have served as an advisor, providing counsel on spiritual matters.
Challenges and Persecution:
  1. Resistance from priests and false prophets (Jeremiah 2:8, 26, 5:31, 6:13-15): Jeremiah faced opposition from those opposing his message.
  2. Imprisonment and attempted assassination (Jeremiah 11:18-23, 26:7-24, 36:1-32): Jeremiah suffered persecution for his prophecies.
Timeline:
  • 628 BCE: Jeremiah’s call (~Josiah’s 13th year)
  • 622 BCE: Temple sermon (~Josiah’s 20th year)
  • 621 BCE: Prophecies against Judah’s neighbors (~Josiah’s 21st year)
  • 609 BCE: Battle against Pharaoh Necho II and Josiah’s death
Note: Jeremiah prophesied from the time of Josiah to the time of the final exile.

Jeremiah prophesied under five kings of Judah. The last four or at least three severely persecuted Jeremiah for speaking the Truth from God’s Perpective—-Which was not at all welcome under that who were rejecting God’s Will, God’s Word, and God’s Way:

 

  1. Josiah (640-609 BC): Jeremiah’s ministry began during Josiah’s reign (Jeremiah 1:2).
  2. Jehoahaz (609 BC): Also known as Shallum, he reigned for three months (Jeremiah 22:10-12).
  3. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC): Jeremiah confronted Jehoiakim’s wickedness (Jeremiah 22:13-19, 36:1-32).
  4. Jehoiachin (598-597 BC): Jeremiah prophesied during Jehoiachin’s brief reign (Jeremiah 22:20-30, 24:1-10).
  5. Zedekiah (597-586 BC): Jeremiah’s ministry continued until Jerusalem’s fall (Jeremiah 21:1-14, 32:1-44, 34:1-22, 37:1-21, 38:1-28).
Note: HERE is some of the evil done by the last 4 kings of Judah:

 

The last four kings of Judah, preceding the Babylonian exile, were:
  1. Jehoahaz (609 BC, 3 months)
Evils:
    • Followed idolatrous practices (2 Kings 23:32)
    • Did evil in God’s sight (2 Chronicles 36:2)
  1. Jehoiakim (609-598 BC)
Evils:
    • Idolatry and pagan practices (2 Kings 23:37, 24:1-4)
    • Killed innocent people, including prophets (Jeremiah 26:20-23, 36:21-32)
    • Refused to repent (Jeremiah 36:1-32)
  1. Jehoiachin (598-597 BC)
Evils:
    • Idolatry and wickedness (2 Kings 24:9, 2 Chronicles 36:9)
    • Did evil in God’s sight (2 Chronicles 36:9)
    • Took treasures from Temple (2 Kings 24:13)
  1. Zedekiah (597-586 BC)
Evils:
    • Idolatry and rebellion (2 Kings 24:19-20, Ezekiel 17:15-21)
    • Disobeyed God’s commands (Jeremiah 34:1-22, 37:1-21, 38:1-28)
    • Killed prophets and resisted reform (Jeremiah 26:20-24, 32:1-5)
Consequences:
The cumulative effect of their evil actions led to:
    1. Babylonian invasion and siege
    2. Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
    3. Exile of Jews to Babylon
    4. End of Judah’s kingdom
Biblical Evaluation:
These kings were assessed as:
    • Doing evil in God’s sight (2 Kings 23:32, 24:9, 19)
    • Following idolatrous practices (2 Kings 23:37, 24:1-4)
    • Rejecting God’s warnings and prophets (Jeremiah 26:20-24, 36:1-32)

 

As a result, these kings tried to make Jeremiah’s Life a living Hell. But God protected his Prophet, while instead: all these kings suffered greatly, justice was served.

Spiritual Note: The man with a spiritual mind will look to see the evil spiritual nature of the battle going on behind the scenes. Each idol represented a demon power, and a demonic personality that was demanding evil worship, in exchange for evil rewards: greed, lust, aka, money, sex, power, influence, and the desire to become more evil in the process. It is a down hill slide all the way, until one lands themselves in the pit, called the Lake of Fire. One cannot go much deeper than that!

Spiritual Lesson: God Sees, and God rewards, each man according to his deeds.

For this reason, we must be careful to judge ourselves, not according to our thoughts, or what we think (usually deceived) our motives, but by our actions.

Let’s take a closer look at Josiah’s Deeds and see if we can’t gain any measure of understanding on how we can spiritually be like Josiah, and do the same things, and walk in the same spirit of reform and blessing, revival and renewal that made his life famous in the Kingdom of God.

 

 
King Josiah’s reforms were a significant turning point in Judah’s history.
Here’s a detailed list:
Religious Reforms (2 Kings 22:3-23:24, 2 Chronicles 34:3-35:19):
  1. Cleansing of the Temple (2 Kings 22:3-7, 2 Chronicles 34:8-13)
    • Removed idolatrous objects and altars
    • Repaired and restored the Temple
  2. Destruction of Idolatrous Sites (2 Kings 23:4-14, 2 Chronicles 34:3-7)
    • Broke down altars and images of Baal, Asherah, and other gods
    • Defiled high places and sacred prostitution
  3. Elimination of Pagan Priests (2 Kings 23:5, 2 Chronicles 34:5)
    • Removed priests who served other gods
    • Appointed faithful priests to oversee worship
  4. Centralization of Worship (2 Kings 23:8-9, 2 Chronicles 34:9)
    • Restricted sacrifice to the Jerusalem Temple
    • Abolished local high places and altars
  5. Restoration of Passover (2 Kings 23:21-23, 2 Chronicles 35:1-19)
    • Revived the Passover celebration
    • Followed Moses’ instructions (Exodus 12)
Social and Economic Reforms:
  1. Cancellation of Debts (2 Kings 23:35, 2 Chronicles 34:9)
    • Released people from oppressive debt
    • Promoted economic justice
  2. Protection of the Poor (Deuteronomy 15:1-11)
    • Implemented laws protecting the vulnerable
    • Ensured fairness in commerce and justice
  3. Restoration of Land (2 Chronicles 34:6)
    • Returned land to rightful owners
    • Addressed issues of inequality
Administrative Reforms:
  1. Reorganization of Government (2 Kings 22:3-7)
    • Strengthened central authority
    • Appointed faithful officials
  2. Revival of Covenant (2 Kings 23:1-3, 2 Chronicles 34:29-31)
    • Renewed the covenant with God
    • Required loyalty from officials and people
Key Outcomes:
  1. Revival of Faith (2 Kings 23:25)
    • Josiah’s reforms led to a spiritual awakening
    • Judah temporarily returned to God
  2. Delayed Judgment (2 Kings 22:18-20)
    • Josiah’s obedience delayed God’s judgment
    • Postponed Babylonian conquest
Josiah’s reforms aimed to restore Israel’s covenant relationship with God, promote social justice, and revitalize the nation’s spiritual life.
Ahaz, King of Judah (735-715 BC), is considered a bad king in the biblical account.
Biblical Evaluation (2 Kings 16:1-20, 2 Chronicles 28:1-27):
  1. Idolatry: Ahaz worshipped Baal and other pagan gods.
  2. Human Sacrifice: He sacrificed his sons in the Valley of Hinnom.
  3. Military Failures: Ahaz was defeated by Syria and Israel.
  4. Assyrian Tribute: He paid tribute to Assyria, becoming a vassal state.
  5. Rejected God’s Help: Ahaz refused Isaiah’s prophetic counsel.
Key Events:
  1. Invasion by Syria and Israel (2 Kings 16:5-6)
  2. Appeal to Assyria for help (2 Kings 16:7-9)
  3. Idolatrous reforms in the Temple (2 Kings 16:10-16)
  4. Defeat and plunder by Assyria (2 Kings 16:17-18)
Consequences:
  1. Judah’s weakness invited further attacks.
  2. Assyrian dominance led to eventual captivity.
  3. Ahaz’s idolatry corrupted Judah’s worship.
Contrast with His Son Hezekiah:
Hezekiah, Ahaz’s son, became a faithful king, implementing reforms and trusting God.
Lessons from Ahaz’s Reign:
  1. Idolatry leads to destruction.
  2. Rejecting God’s counsel has consequences.
  3. Faithfulness is crucial for leaders.
Hezekiah (King of Judah, 729-699 BC) is considered one of the best kings in Judah’s history.
Biblical Evaluation (2 Kings 18:1-20:21, 2 Chronicles 29:1-32:33):
  1. Faithfulness: Hezekiah trusted God and followed His commands.
  2. Reforms: He restored Temple worship, removed idolatry, and reinstated Passover.
  3. Military Victories: He defeated the Philistines and Assyrians.
  4. Prayer and Humility: He prayed for healing and extension of life.
Key Accomplishments:
  1. Cleansed and restored the Temple (2 Chronicles 29:3-36)
  2. Reinstated Passover (2 Chronicles 30:1-27)
  3. Defeated the Philistines (2 Kings 18:8)
  4. Withstood Assyrian siege (2 Kings 18:13-19:37)
  5. Received healing and extension of life (2 Kings 20:1-11)
God’s Approval:
  1. God commended Hezekiah’s faithfulness (2 Kings 18:3-6)
  2. God answered Hezekiah’s prayers (2 Kings 19:20-37, 20:1-11)
Challenges and Mistakes:
  1. Displayed wealth to Babylonian envoys (2 Kings 20:12-19)
  2. Initially faltered in trusting God during Assyrian siege
Legacy:
Hezekiah’s reforms and faithfulness:
  1. Revived Judah’s spiritual life
  2. Strengthened national identity
  3. Delayed Babylonian captivity
Comparison to Other Kings:
Hezekiah ranks among the best kings of Judah, alongside:
  1. David
  2. Josiah
  3. Asa
 
Manasseh, King of Judah (697-642 BC), is considered one of the worst kings in Judah’s history, but he later repented.
Biblical Evaluation (2 Kings 21:1-18, 2 Chronicles 33:1-20):
Early Reign (697-653 BC):
  1. Idolatry: Manasseh worshipped Baal, Asherah, and other pagan gods.
  2. Human Sacrifice: He sacrificed children to Molech.
  3. Temple Desecration: He built altars to idols in the Temple.
  4. Astrology and Divination: He consulted mediums and spiritists.
Consequences:
  1. God’s Anger: God spoke through prophets, warning Manasseh.
  2. Assyrian Captivity: Manasseh was captured and imprisoned.
Repentance (653-642 BC):
  1. Humility: Manasseh prayed and humbled himself.
  2. Restoration: He removed idols and altars.
  3. Temple Repair: He restored the Temple.
God’s Mercy:
  1. Forgiveness: God forgave Manasseh’s sins.
  2. Restoration: Manasseh returned to Judah.
Later Reign (653-642 BC):
  1. Reforms: Manasseh implemented partial reforms.
  2. Military Campaigns: He fortified cities.
Mixed Legacy:
Manasseh’s early reign was disastrous, but his later repentance:
  1. Demonstrated God’s mercy.
  2. Showed the importance of humility.
Comparison to Other Kings:
Manasseh’s early reign ranks among the worst, but his repentance:
  1. Sets him apart from Ahaz.
  2. Pales in comparison to Hezekiah and Josiah.
Key Takeaways:
  1. Repentance is possible, even for the worst offenders.
  2. God’s mercy endures despite human failure.
 
Amon, King of Judah (642-640 BC), is considered a bad king in the biblical account.
Biblical Evaluation (2 Kings 21:19-26, 2 Chronicles 33:21-25):
Characteristics:
  1. Idolatry: Amon worshipped Baal and other pagan gods.
  2. Human Sacrifice: He continued Manasseh’s idolatrous practices.
  3. Refusal to Repent: Amon refused to turn from sin.
Consequences:
  1. God’s Anger: God was displeased with Amon’s actions.
  2. Assassination: Amon was killed by officials.
Key Events:
  1. Amon’s idolatrous reign (2 Kings 21:20-22)
  2. Officials’ conspiracy (2 Kings 21:23-24)
  3. Amon’s assassination (2 Kings 21:23-24)
Comparison to Other Kings:
Amon’s reign ranks among the worst:
  1. Similar to Ahaz’s idolatry.
  2. Worse than Manasseh’s early reign.
    [that is hard to imagine! That someone could be worse than Manasseh]
Legacy:
Amon’s short and disastrous reign:
  1. Continued Judah’s spiritual decline.
  2. Paved the way for Josiah’s reforms.
Key Takeaways:
  1. Refusing to repent leads to consequences.
  2. Idolatry corrupts leaders and nations.
Interesting Fact:
Amon’s reign was brief, but his impact:
  1. Highlighted the need for reform.
  2. Set the stage for Josiah’s transformative reign.
Josiah (King of Judah, 640-609 BC) is considered one of the best kings in Judah’s history.
Biblical Evaluation (2 Kings 22:1-23:30, 2 Chronicles 34:1-35:27):
Key Characteristics:
  1. Faithfulness: Josiah trusted God and followed His commands.
  2. Reforms: He implemented extensive reforms, removing idolatry.
  3. Obedience: He obeyed God’s laws and commands.
  4. Humility: He sought God’s guidance and repented.
Accomplishments:
  1. Discovered and implemented the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8-13)
  2. Destroyed idolatrous sites and altars (2 Kings 23:4-14)
  3. Centralized worship in Jerusalem (2 Kings 23:8-9)
  4. Celebrated Passover (2 Chronicles 35:1-19)
  5. Removed mediums and spiritists (2 Kings 23:24)
God’s Approval:
  1. God commended Josiah’s faithfulness (2 Kings 22:18-20)
  2. God delayed judgment due to Josiah’s obedience (2 Kings 22:18-20)
Legacy:
Josiah’s reign:
  1. Revived Judah’s spiritual life
  2. Strengthened national identity
  3. Postponed Babylonian captivity
Comparison to Other Kings:
Josiah ranks among the best kings:
  1. Surpassed Hezekiah’s reforms
  2. Comparable to David’s faithfulness
Key Takeaways:
  1. Faithfulness and obedience lead to success.
  2. Humility and repentance are essential for leaders.
Notable Events:
  1. Discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8-13)
  2. Reforms and cleansing of idolatry (2 Kings 23:4-24)
  3. Battle of Megiddo and Josiah’s death (2 Kings 23:29-30)
Interesting Facts:
  1. Josiah’s reforms began at age 16 (2 Chronicles 34:3)
  2. He died at age 39, fighting Pharaoh Necho II

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