Josiah

Healed by Jehovah, or Jehovah will support. The son of Amon, and his successor on the throne of Judah (2 Kings 22:1; 2 Chr. 34:1). His history is contained in 2 Kings 22, 23. He stands foremost among all the kings of the line of David for unswerving loyalty to Jehovah (23:25). He “did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father.” He ascended the throne at the early age of eight years, and it appears that not till eight years afterwards did he begin “to seek after the God of David his father.” At that age he devoted himself to God. He distinguished himself by beginning a war of extermination against the prevailing idolatry, which had practically been the state religion for some seventy years (2 Chr. 34:3; comp. Jer. 25:3, 11, 29). In the eighteenth year of his reign he proceeded to repair and beautify the temple, which by time and violence had become sorely dilapidated (2 Kings 22:3, 5, 6; 23:23; 2 Chr. 34:11). While this work was being carried on, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered a roll, which was probably the original copy of the law, the entire Pentateuch, written by Moses. When this book was read to him, the king was alarmed by the things it contained, and sent for Huldah, the “prophetess,” for her counsel. She spoke to him words of encouragement, telling him that he would be gathered to his fathers in peace before the threatened days of judgment came. Josiah immediately gathered the people together, and engaged them in a renewal of their ancient national covenant with God. The Passover was then celebrated, as in the days of his great predecessor, Hezekiah, with unusual magnificence. Nevertheless, “the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah” (2 Kings 22:3-20; 23:21-27; 2 Chr. 35:1-19). During the progress of this great religious revolution Jeremiah helped it on by his earnest exhortations. Soon after this, Pharaoh-Necho II. (q.v.), king of Egypt, in an expedition against the king of Assyria, with the view of gaining possession of Carchemish, sought a passage through the territory of Judah for his army. This Josiah refused to permit. He had probably entered into some new alliance with the king of Assyria, and faithful to his word he sought to oppose the progress of Necho. The army of Judah went out and encountered that of Egypt at Megiddo, on the verge of the plain of Esdraelon. Josiah went into the field in disguise, and was fatally wounded by a random arrow. His attendants conveyed him toward Jerusalem, but had only reached Hadadrimmon, a few miles south of Megiddo, when he died (2 Kings 23:28, 30; comp. 2 Chr. 35:20-27), after a reign of thirty-one years. He was buried with the greatest honours in fulfilment of Huldah’s prophecy (2 Kings 22:20; comp. Jer. 34:5). Jeremiah composed a funeral elegy on this the best of the kings of Israel (Lam. 4:20; 2 Chr. 35:25). The outburst of national grief on account of his death became proverbial (Zech. 12:11; comp. Rev. 16:16).

(whom Jehovah heals).

JOSI'AH (whom Jehovah heals). The son and successor of Amon, king of Judah, began to reign when he was only 8 years of age, and reigned 31 years, b.c. 641-610. 2 Kgs 22:1-2; 2 Chr 34:1, He was remarkable for his integrity and piety. He gradually abolished the idolatrous customs of his predecessors, 2 Chr 34:3, and in the eighteenth year of his reign began a thorough repair of the temple. In the progress of this work Hilkiah the high priest found a "book of the law of the Lord given by Moses." 2 Chr 34:14. What book it was is uncertain; probably it was Deuteronomy. Josiah seems to have been ignorant of its existence; but when it was read to him by one of his officers he was overwhelmed with grief to find how far they and their fathers had departed from the right way. He, however, humbled himself before God, and sent to inquire of the Lord through Huldah the prophetess. In Jehovah's name she assured him that evil was determined of the Lord, but that he should not see it. 2 Chr 34:23-28. He then assembled the people and published the Law in their hearing, and they all united with the king in a solemn vow of obedience. After this he utterly destroyed every vestige of idolatry, both images and temples, and then, by divine command, caused the feast of the Passover to be celebrated with such solemnity as had not been known since the days of Samuel. 2 Chr 35:3-18. When Pharaoh-Neeho went up from Egypt to Carchemish, Josiah, probably as the ally or vassal of the king of Assyria, opposed him, and, mistrusting Necho's message from God, gave the Egyptian battle at Megiddo, but was mortally wounded, and was brought to Jerusalem, where he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. No king, perhaps, was ever more deservedly beloved, and certainly we know of none who was more sincerely and tenderly bewailed by his people. Indeed, his death was the end of prosperity to the kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah the prophet was greatly affected by it, and composed an elegy on the occasion, 2 Chr 35:25, and all those accustomed to celebrate in song the worth and achievements of men of great eminence, both men and women, mourned for Josiah for ages after his death. Indeed, the mourning was such as to become proverbial. Zech 12:11. He was only 39 years of age when he died. The man in whose house the symbolical crowning of Jeshua took place. Zech 6:10.

the Lord burns; the fire of the Lord

JOSI'AH (whom Jehovah heals). The son and successor of Amon, king of Judah, began to reign when he was only 8 years of age, and reigned 31 years, b.c. 641-610. 2 Kgs 22:1-2; 2 Chr 34:1, He was remarkable for his integrity and piety. He gradually abolished the idolatrous customs of his predecessors, 2 Chr 34:3, and in the eighteenth year of his reign began a thorough repair of the temple. In the progress of this work Hilkiah the high priest found a "book of the law of the Lord given by Moses." 2 Chr 34:14. What book it was is uncertain; probably it was Deuteronomy. Josiah seems to have been ignorant of its existence; but when it was read to him by one of his officers he was overwhelmed with grief to find how far they and their fathers had departed from the right way. He, however, humbled himself before God, and sent to inquire of the Lord through Huldah the prophetess. In Jehovah's name she assured him that evil was determined of the Lord, but that he should not see it. 2 Chr 34:23-28. He then assembled the people and published the Law in their hearing, and they all united with the king in a solemn vow of obedience. After this he utterly destroyed every vestige of idolatry, both images and temples, and then, by divine command, caused the feast of the Passover to be celebrated with such solemnity as had not been known since the days of Samuel. 2 Chr 35:3-18. When Pharaoh-Neeho went up from Egypt to Carchemish, Josiah, probably as the ally or vassal of the king of Assyria, opposed him, and, mistrusting Necho's message from God, gave the Egyptian battle at Megiddo, but was mortally wounded, and was brought to Jerusalem, where he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. No king, perhaps, was ever more deservedly beloved, and certainly we know of none who was more sincerely and tenderly bewailed by his people. Indeed, his death was the end of prosperity to the kingdom of Judah. Jeremiah the prophet was greatly affected by it, and composed an elegy on the occasion, 2 Chr 35:25, and all those accustomed to celebrate in song the worth and achievements of men of great eminence, both men and women, mourned for Josiah for ages after his death. Indeed, the mourning was such as to become

proverbial. Zech 12:11. He was only 39 years of age when he died.