HE BURNED THE BONES OF THE PRIESTS ON THEIR ALTARS:
This action was predicted by "a man of God out of Judah" in the reign of
Jeroboam (1Ki 13:1,2).
2Ch 34:6
THE TOWNS OF MANASSEH, EPHRAIM, AND SIMEON, AS FAR AS
NAPHTALI: The cities which Josiah cleansed were outside the boundaries of
Judah. He actually extended his cleansing into the territory of Israel -- the
people who had already gone into captivity. This might seem rather a waste of
effort. However, Josiah knew that the land belonged to God, and that it was
polluted by the idols -- even though Israel had been taken away by the Assyrians
some time before.
2Ch 34:12
Examples of faithfulness in service: Samuel (1Sa 3:20); David
(1Sa 22:14); the temple overseers (2Ki 12:15); the workers (2Ch 34:12); Hananiah
(Neh 7:2); Abraham (Neh 9:8); the treasurers (Neh 13:13); Daniel (Dan 6:4);
Timothy (1Co 4:17); Epaphras (Col 1:7); Tychicus (Col 4:7); Onesimus (Col 4:9);
Paul (1Ti 1:12); Moses (Heb 3:2,5); Gaius (3Jo 1:5); Jesus Christ (Rev 1:5);
Antipas (Rev 2:13).
Cp Luk 16:10; 2Ch 31:12.
2Ch 34:19
WHEN THE KING HEARD THE WORDS OF THE LAW, HE TORE HIS
ROBES... AND GAVE ORDERS...: He might easily have said, 'How interesting! We
should begin a study of this unique historical document!' Or 'Let's form a
committee to look into this!' Or 'So what?' But instead, he repents immediately,
and then begins to take action!
Josiah's actions contrast sharply with those of his son
Jehoiakim, when he heard the word of God (Jer 36:23) only a few years
later.
2Ch 34:22
HULDAH: "When she died, she was buried at the entrance
to the house of God in Jerusalem. A great multiple gateway was built in the
southern wall of the temple, a part of which was called the Huldah Gates Jesus
and his apostles must have used it many times during his mortal life" (Mary
Eyre, Tid 64:553).
2Ch 34:33
When the Book of the Law was discovered in Josiah's reign, it
is likely that he read of the evils which Moses had prophesied would come about
if the Jews neglected God. He sent to inquire of God what he might do to avert
this judgment. God's answer was that it was too late; the calamities were on the
way. However, because Josiah was faithful and God-fearing, they would not come
in his day. Thus the first fulfillment of the prophecy of Jeremiah concerning a
northern invader, may have been averted because of Josiah and the resurgence in
his day of Judah's right worship. (The Scythians passed by Palestine. However,
the Babylonians would not.) While he lived Josiah indeed did God's will, so that
-- "All his days the children of Israel departed not from following the
LORD" (2Ch 34:33). Not only did he cleanse Judah, but he was also instrumental
in reducing idolatry in Israel.