Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
2 Kings Ch.23 / 25 Ch.s
2KI:23
* Josiah reads the law, and renews the covenant. (1-3) He
destroys idolatry. (4-14) The reformation extended to Israel, A
passover kept. (15-24) Josiah slain by Pharaoh-nechoh. (25-30)
Wicked reigns of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim. (31-37)
#1-3 Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no
preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should only
deliver his own soul; yet he does his duty, and leaves the event
to God. He engaged the people in the most solemn manner to
abolish idolatry, and to serve God in righteousness and true
holiness. Though most were formal or hypocritical herein, yet
much outward wickedness would be prevented, and they were
accountable to God for their own conduct.
#4-14 What abundance of wickedness in Judah and Jerusalem! One
would not have believed it possible, that in Judah, where God
was known, in Israel, where his name was great, in Salem, in
Zion, where his dwelling-place was, such abominations should be
found. Josiah had reigned eighteen years, and had himself set
the people a good example, and kept up religion according to the
Divine law; yet, when he came to search for idolatry, the depth
and extent were very great. Both common history, and the records
of God's word, teach, that all the real godliness or goodness
ever found on earth, is derived from the new-creating Spirit of
Jesus Christ.
#15-24 Josiah's zeal extended to the cities of Israel within his
reach. He carefully preserved the sepulchre of that man of God,
who came from Judah to foretell the throwing down of Jeroboam's
altar. When they had cleared the country of the old leaven of
idolatry, then they applied themselves to the keeping of the
feast. There was not holden such a passover in any of the
foregoing reigns. The revival of a long-neglected ordinance,
filled them with holy joy; and God recompensed their zeal in
destroying idolatry with uncommon tokens of his presence and
favour. We have reason to think that during the remainder of
Josiah's reign, religion flourished.
#25-30 Upon reading these verses, we must say, Lord, though thy
righteousness be as the great mountains, evident, plainly to be
seen, and past dispute; yet thy judgments are a great deep,
unfathomable, and past finding out. The reforming king is cut
off in the midst of his usefulness, in mercy to him, that he
might not see the evil coming upon his kingdom: but in wrath to
his people, for his death was an inlet to their desolations.
#31-37 After Josiah was laid in his grave, one trouble came on
another, till, in twenty-two years, Jerusalem was destroyed. The
wicked perished in great numbers, the remnant were purified, and
Josiah's reformation had raised up some to join the few who were
the precious seed of their future church and nation. A little
time, and slender abilities, often suffice to undo the good
which pious men have, for a course of years, been labouring to
effect. But, blessed be God, the good work which he begins by
his regenerating Spirit, cannot be done away, but withstands all
changes and temptations.