What happensPermalink
Josiah gathers Judah at the temple and renews the covenant with the Lord. He destroys idols, defiles high places, and removes pagan priests throughout Judah and even into the former northern kingdom, fulfilling the prophecy at Bethel. He restores the Passover with unmatched devotion. Yet when he confronts Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo, he is killed. His son Jehoahaz quickly turns to evil, is deposed by Egypt, and his brother is installed as king.
Why it mattersPermalink
Josiah’s reforms are the most thorough in Israel’s history, extending beyond Judah’s borders and surpassing all earlier kings in covenant faithfulness. The celebration of Passover recalls Israel’s founding deliverance even as exile approaches. After Josiah, Judah’s rapid political humiliation and spiritual collapse show that only exile can purge the nation’s long rebellion.
Key versePermalink
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.