Josiah
King at eight, he heard the forgotten book of the law read aloud and tore his clothes.
Old Testament · c. 640–609 BC · 2 Kings, 2 Chronicles, Jeremiah · Also known as King of Judah
About Josiah
Josiah became king of Judah at eight years old, after his father and grandfather had led the nation into idolatry. He "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD… and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." While the temple was being repaired, the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law. When it was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes and sent to ask God’s word through the prophetess Huldah. He read the book to all the people, renewed the covenant, swept away idolatry, and held a Passover like none since the judges. He died in battle against Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo.
Many scholars connect the book found in the temple with Deuteronomy. Josiah’s reforms came just a generation before Babylon destroyed Jerusalem; the prophet Jeremiah began his ministry in Josiah’s reign and lamented his death.
The story
Eight years old
"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem." "He did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left."
2 Kings 22:1-2
The book of the law
While the temple was being repaired, "Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." Shaphan read it before the king. "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes."
2 Kings 22:8-13
Huldah the prophetess
"Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me," Josiah said. His officials went to Huldah the prophetess. She said judgement would come, but because Josiah’s "heart was tender," and he had humbled himself and wept, he would not see it.
2 Kings 22:13-20
All the words of the book
Josiah gathered everyone, "both small and great," and "read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant." He made a covenant before the LORD, then removed the idols and their altars throughout the land, and kept a Passover: "Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges."
2 Kings 23:1-23
Key moments
- Crowned at eight: Reigns 31 years. (2 Kings 22:1)
- The book is found: In the house of the LORD. (2 Kings 22:8)
- Tears his clothes: On hearing the law. (2 Kings 22:11)
- Renews the covenant: Before all the people. (2 Kings 23:3)
- Dies at Megiddo: Against Pharaoh Necho. (2 Kings 23:29)
Questions about Josiah
In meetBible these answers are given in Josiah’s voice. They are written by hand and checked against Scripture.
Why did you tear your clothes?
When the book of the law was read to me, I saw how far we had fallen. I said, "great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book." Tearing clothes was a sign of grief and repentance. God answered through Huldah that because my heart was tender and I had humbled myself and wept, he had heard me.
How could a child be king?
I was eight when my father Amon was killed and the people made me king. Scripture doesn’t describe who guided me at first. Chronicles adds that in the eighth year of my reign, "while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father," and began clearing out the idols four years later.
How do people remember you?
Scripture gives one of its highest verdicts on any king: "like unto him was there no king before him, that 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; neither after him arose there any like him." Jeremiah lamented me when I died.
Connected people
Read it yourself
Start with 2 Kings 22–23.