2 Kings 22:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

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¹ Josiah ^H2977 was eight ^H8083 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 when he began to reign, ^H4427 and he reigned ^H4427 thirty ^H7970 and one ^H259 years ^H8141 in Jerusalem. ^H3389 And his mother's ^H517 name ^H8034 was Jedidah, ^H3040 the daughter ^H1323 of Adaiah ^H5718 of Boscath. ^H1218

Cross Reference

2 Chronicles 34:1-33 STRONG

KJV ASV YLT DARBY WEB BBE

Josiah ^H2977 was eight ^H8083 years ^H8141 old ^H1121 when he began to reign, ^H4427 and he reigned ^H4427 in Jerusalem ^H3389 one ^H259 and thirty ^H7970 years. ^H8141 And he did ^H6213 that which was right ^H3477 in the sight ^H5869 of the LORD, ^H3068 and walked ^H3212 in the ways ^H1870 of David ^H1732 his father, ^H1 and declined ^H5493 neither to the right hand, ^H3225 nor to the left. ^H8040 For in the eighth ^H8083 year ^H8141 of his reign, ^H4427 while he was yet young, ^H5288 he began ^H2490 to seek ^H1875 after the God ^H430 of David ^H1732 his father: ^H1 and in the twelfth ^H8147 ^H6240 year ^H8141 he began ^H2490 to purge ^H2891 Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem ^H3389 from the high places, ^H1116 and the groves, ^H842 and the carved images, ^H6456 and the molten images. ^H4541 And they brake down ^H5422 the altars ^H4196 of Baalim ^H1168 in his presence; ^H6440 and the images, ^H2553 that were on high above them, ^H4605 he cut down; ^H1438 and the groves, ^H842 and the carved images, ^H6456 and the molten images, ^H4541 he brake in pieces, ^H7665 and made dust ^H1854 of them, and strowed ^H2236 it upon ^H6440 the graves ^H6913 of them that had sacrificed ^H2076 unto them. And he burnt ^H8313 the bones ^H6106 of the priests ^H3548 upon their altars, ^H4196 and cleansed ^H2891 Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem. ^H3389 And so did he in the cities ^H5892 of Manasseh, ^H4519 and Ephraim, ^H669 and Simeon, ^H8095 even unto Naphtali, ^H5321 with their mattocks ^H2719 round about. ^H5439 And when he had broken down ^H5422 the altars ^H4196 and the groves, ^H842 and had beaten ^H3807 the graven images ^H6456 into powder, ^H1854 and cut down ^H1438 all the idols ^H2553 throughout all the land ^H776 of Israel, ^H3478 he returned ^H7725 to Jerusalem. ^H3389 Now in the eighteenth ^H8083 ^H6240 year ^H8141 of his reign, ^H4427 when he had purged ^H2891 the land, ^H776 and the house, ^H1004 he sent ^H7971 Shaphan ^H8227 the son ^H1121 of Azaliah, ^H683 and Maaseiah ^H4641 the governor ^H8269 of the city, ^H5892 and Joah ^H3098 the son ^H1121 of Joahaz ^H3099 the recorder, ^H2142 to repair ^H2388 the house ^H1004 of the LORD ^H3068 his God. ^H430 And when they came ^H935 to Hilkiah ^H2518 the high ^H1419 priest, ^H3548 they delivered ^H5414 the money ^H3701 that was brought ^H935 into the house ^H1004 of God, ^H430 which the Levites ^H3881 that kept ^H8104 the doors ^H5592 had gathered ^H622 of the hand ^H3027 of Manasseh ^H4519 and Ephraim, ^H669 and of all the remnant ^H7611 of Israel, ^H3478 and of all Judah ^H3063 and Benjamin; ^H1144 and they returned ^H7725 ^H3427 to Jerusalem. ^H3389 And they put ^H5414 it in the hand ^H3027 of the workmen ^H6213 ^H4399 that had the oversight ^H6485 of the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 and they gave ^H5414 it to the workmen ^H6213 ^H4399 that wrought ^H6213 in the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 to repair ^H918 and amend ^H2388 the house: ^H1004 Even to the artificers ^H2796 and builders ^H1129 gave ^H5414 they it, to buy ^H7069 hewn ^H4274 stone, ^H68 and timber ^H6086 for couplings, ^H4226 and to floor ^H7136 the houses ^H1004 which the kings ^H4428 of Judah ^H3063 had destroyed. ^H7843 And the men ^H582 did ^H6213 the work ^H4399 faithfully: ^H530 and the overseers ^H5329 of them were Jahath ^H3189 and Obadiah, ^H5662 the Levites, ^H3881 of the sons ^H1121 of Merari; ^H4847 and Zechariah ^H2148 and Meshullam, ^H4918 of the sons of the Kohathites, ^H6956 to set it forward; ^H6485 and other of the Levites, ^H3881 all that could skill ^H995 of instruments ^H3627 of musick. ^H7892 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, ^H5449 and were overseers ^H5329 of all that wrought ^H6213 the work ^H4399 in any manner of service: ^H5656 and of the Levites ^H3881 there were scribes, ^H5608 and officers, ^H7860 and porters. ^H7778 And when they brought out ^H3318 the money ^H3701 that was brought into ^H935 the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 Hilkiah ^H2518 the priest ^H3548 found ^H4672 a book ^H5612 of the law ^H8451 of the LORD ^H3068 given by ^H3027 Moses. ^H4872 And Hilkiah ^H2518 answered ^H6030 and said ^H559 to Shaphan ^H8227 the scribe, ^H5608 I have found ^H4672 the book ^H5612 of the law ^H8451 in the house ^H1004 of the LORD. ^H3068 And Hilkiah ^H2518 delivered ^H5414 the book ^H5612 to Shaphan. ^H8227 And Shaphan ^H8227 carried ^H935 the book ^H5612 to the king, ^H4428 and brought ^H7725 the king ^H4428 word ^H1697 back ^H7725 again, saying, ^H559 All that was committed ^H5414 to ^H3027 thy servants, ^H5650 they do ^H6213 it. And they have gathered together ^H5413 the money ^H3701 that was found ^H4672 in the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 and have delivered ^H5414 it into the hand ^H3027 of the overseers, ^H6485 and to the hand ^H3027 of the workmen. ^H6213 ^H4399 Then Shaphan ^H8227 the scribe ^H5608 told ^H5046 the king, ^H4428 saying, ^H559 Hilkiah ^H2518 the priest ^H3548 hath given ^H5414 me a book. ^H5612 And Shaphan ^H8227 read ^H7121 it before ^H6440 the king. ^H4428 And it came to pass, when the king ^H4428 had heard ^H8085 the words ^H1697 of the law, ^H8451 that he rent ^H7167 his clothes. ^H899 And the king ^H4428 commanded ^H6680 Hilkiah, ^H2518 and Ahikam ^H296 the son ^H1121 of Shaphan, ^H8227 and Abdon ^H5658 the son ^H1121 of Micah, ^H4318 and Shaphan ^H8227 the scribe, ^H5608 and Asaiah ^H6222 a servant ^H5650 of the king's, ^H4428 saying, ^H559 Go, ^H3212 enquire ^H1875 of the LORD ^H3068 for me, and for them that are left ^H7604 in Israel ^H3478 and in Judah, ^H3063 concerning the words ^H1697 of the book ^H5612 that is found: ^H4672 for great ^H1419 is the wrath ^H2534 of the LORD ^H3068 that is poured out ^H5413 upon us, because our fathers ^H1 have not kept ^H8104 the word ^H1697 of the LORD, ^H3068 to do ^H6213 after all that is written ^H3789 in this book. ^H5612 And Hilkiah, ^H2518 and they that the king ^H4428 had appointed, went ^H3212 to Huldah ^H2468 the prophetess, ^H5031 the wife ^H802 of Shallum ^H7967 the son ^H1121 of Tikvath, ^H8616 ^H8445 the son ^H1121 of Hasrah, ^H2641 keeper ^H8104 of the wardrobe; ^H899 (now she dwelt ^H3427 in Jerusalem ^H3389 in the college:) ^H4932 and they spake ^H1696 to her to that effect. And she answered ^H559 them, Thus saith ^H559 the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel, ^H3478 Tell ^H559 ye the man ^H376 that sent ^H7971 you to me, Thus saith ^H559 the LORD, ^H3068 Behold, I will bring ^H935 evil ^H7451 upon this place, ^H4725 and upon the inhabitants ^H3427 thereof, even all the curses ^H423 that are written ^H3789 in the book ^H5612 which they have read ^H7121 before ^H6440 the king ^H4428 of Judah: ^H3063 Because they have forsaken ^H5800 me, and have burned incense ^H6999 ^H6999 unto other ^H312 gods, ^H430 that they might provoke me to anger ^H3707 with all the works ^H4639 of their hands; ^H3027 therefore my wrath ^H2534 shall be poured out ^H5413 upon this place, ^H4725 and shall not be quenched. ^H3518 And as for ^H413 the king ^H4428 of Judah, ^H3063 who sent ^H7971 you to enquire ^H1875 of the LORD, ^H3068 so shall ye say ^H559 unto him, Thus saith ^H559 the LORD ^H3068 God ^H430 of Israel ^H3478 concerning the words ^H1697 which thou hast heard; ^H8085 Because thine heart ^H3824 was tender, ^H7401 and thou didst humble ^H3665 thyself before ^H6440 God, ^H430 when thou heardest ^H8085 his words ^H1697 against this place, ^H4725 and against the inhabitants ^H3427 thereof, and humbledst ^H3665 thyself before ^H6440 me, and didst rend ^H7167 thy clothes, ^H899 and weep ^H1058 before ^H6440 me; I have even heard ^H8085 thee also, saith ^H5002 the LORD. ^H3068 Behold, I will gather ^H622 thee to thy fathers, ^H1 and thou shalt be gathered ^H622 to thy grave ^H6913 in peace, ^H7965 neither shall thine eyes ^H5869 see ^H7200 all the evil ^H7451 that I will bring ^H935 upon this place, ^H4725 and upon the inhabitants ^H3427 of the same. So they brought ^H7725 the king ^H4428 word ^H1697 again. ^H7725 Then the king ^H4428 sent ^H7971 and gathered together ^H622 all the elders ^H2205 of Judah ^H3063 and Jerusalem. ^H3389 And the king ^H4428 went up ^H5927 into the house ^H1004 of the LORD, ^H3068 and all the men ^H376 of Judah, ^H3063 and the inhabitants ^H3427 of Jerusalem, ^H3389 and the priests, ^H3548 and the Levites, ^H3881 and all the people, ^H5971 great ^H1419 and small: ^H6996 and he read ^H7121 in their ears ^H241 all the words ^H1697 of the book ^H5612 of the covenant ^H1285 that was found ^H4672 in the house ^H1004 of the LORD. ^H3068 And the king ^H4428 stood ^H5975 in his place, ^H5977 and made ^H3772 a covenant ^H1285 before ^H6440 the LORD, ^H3068 to walk ^H3212 after ^H310 the LORD, ^H3068 and to keep ^H8104 his commandments, ^H4687 and his testimonies, ^H5715 and his statutes, ^H2706 with all his heart, ^H3824 and with all his soul, ^H5315 to perform ^H6213 the words ^H1697 of the covenant ^H1285 which are written ^H3789 in this book. ^H5612 And he caused all that were present ^H4672 in Jerusalem ^H3389 and Benjamin ^H1144 to stand ^H5975 to it. And the inhabitants ^H3427 of Jerusalem ^H3389 did ^H6213 according to the covenant ^H1285 of God, ^H430 the God ^H430 of their fathers. ^H1 And Josiah ^H2977 took away ^H5493 all the abominations ^H8441 out of all the countries ^H776 that pertained to the children ^H1121 of Israel, ^H3478 and made all that were present ^H4672 in Israel ^H3478 to serve, ^H5647 even to serve ^H5647 the LORD ^H3068 their God. ^H430 And all his days ^H3117 they departed ^H5493 not from following ^H310 the LORD, ^H3068 the God ^H430 of their fathers. ^H1

Commentary on 2 Kings 22 Matthew Henry Commentary

John Gill Keil & Delitzsch Robert Jamieson: Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

Chapter 22

This chapter begins the story of the reign of good king Josiah, whose goodness shines the brighter because it came just after so much wickedness, which he had the honour to reform, and just before so great a destruction, which yet he had not the honour to prevent. Here, after his general character (v. 1, 2), we have a particular account of the respect he paid

I. To God's house, which he repaired (v. 3-7).
II. To God's book, which he was much affected with the reading of (v. 8-11).
III. To God's messengers, whom he thereupon consulted (v. 12-14). And by whom he received from God an answer threatening Jerusalem's destruction (v. 15-17), but promising favour to him (v. 18-20), upon which he set about that glorious work of reformation which we have an account of in the next chapter.

2Ki 22:1-10

Concerning Josiah we are here told,

I. That he was very young when he began to reign (v. 1), only eight years old. Solomon says, Woe unto thee, O land! when thy king is a child; but happy art thou, O land! when thy king is such a child. Our English Israel had once a king that was such a child, Edward VI. Josiah, being young, had not received any bad impressions from the example of his father and grandfather, but soon saw their errors, and God gave his grace to take warning by them. See Eze. 18:14, etc.
II. That he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, v. 2. See the sovereignty of divine grace-the father passed by and left to perish in his sin, the son a chosen vessel. See the triumphs of that grace-Josiah born of a wicked father, no good education nor good example given him, but many about him who no doubt advised him to tread in his father's steps and few that gave him any good counsel, and yet the grace of God made him an eminent saint, cut him off from the wild olive and grafted him into the good olive, Rom. 11:24. Nothing is too hard for that grace to do. He walked in a good way, and turned not aside (as some of his predecessors had done who began well) to the right hand nor to the left. There are errors on both hands, but God kept him in the right way; he fell neither into superstition nor profaneness.
III. That he took care for the repair of the temple. This he did in the eighteenth year of his reign, v. 3. Compare 2 Chr. 34:8. He began much sooner to seek the Lord (as appears, 2 Chr. 34:3), but it is to be feared the work of reformation went slowly on and met with much opposition, so that he could not effect what he desired and designed, till his power was thoroughly confirmed. The consideration of the time we unavoidably lost in our minority should quicken us, when we have come to years, to act with so much the more vigour in the service of God. Having begun late we have need work hard. He sent Shaphan, the secretary of state, to Hilkiah the high priest, to take an account of the money that was collected for this use by the door-keepers (v. 4); for, it seems, they took much the same way of raising the money that Joash took, ch. 12:9. When people gave by a little at a time the burden was insensible, and, the contribution being voluntary, it was not complained of. This money, so collected, he ordered him to lay out for the repair of the temple, v. 5, 6. And now, it seems, the workmen (as in the days of Joash) acquitted themselves so well that there was no reckoning made with them (v. 7), which is certainly mentioned to the praise of the workmen, that they gained such a reputation for honesty, but whether to the praise of those that employed them I know not; a man should count money (we say) after his own father; it would not have been amiss to have reckoned with the workmen, that others also might be satisfied of their honesty.
IV. That, in repairing the temple, the book of the law was happily found and brought to the king, v. 8, 10. Some think this book was the autograph, or original manuscript, of the five books of Moses, under his own hand; others think it was only an ancient and authentic copy. Most likely it was that which, by the command of Moses, was laid up in the most holy place, Deu. 31:24, etc.
- 1. It seems, this book of the law was lost or missing. Perhaps it was carelessly mislaid and neglected, thrown by into a corner (as some throw their Bibles), by those that knew not the value of it, and forgotten there; or it was maliciously concealed by some of the idolatrous kings, or their agents, who were restrained by the providence of God or their own consciences from burning and destroying it, but buried it, in hopes it would never see the light again; or, as some think, it was carefully laid up by some of its friends, lest it should fall into the hands of its enemies. Whoever were the instruments of its preservation, we ought to acknowledge the hand of God in it. If this was the only authentic copy of the Pentateuch then in being, which had (as I may say) so narrow a turn for its life and was so near perishing, I wonder the hearts of all good people did not tremble for that sacred treasure, as Eli's for the ark, and I am sure we now have reason to thank God, upon our knees, for that happy providence by which Hilkiah found this book at this time, found it when he sought it not, Isa. 65:1. If the holy scriptures had not been of God, they would not have been in being at this day; God's care of the Bible is a plain indication of his interest in it.
- 2. Whether this was the only authentic copy in being or no, it seems the things contained in it were new both to the king himself and to the high priest; for the king, upon the reading of it, rent his clothes. We have reason to think that neither the command for the king's writing a copy of the law, nor that for the public reading of the law every seventh year (Deu. 17:18; 31:10, 11), had been observed for a long time; and when the instituted means of keeping up religion are neglected religion itself will soon go to decay. Yet, on the other hand, if the book of the law was lost, it seems difficult to determine what rule Josiah went by in doing that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and how the priests and people kept up the rites of their religion. I am apt to think that the people generally took up with abstracts of the law, like our abridgements of the statutes, which the priests, to save themselves the trouble of writing and the people of reading the book at large, had furnished them with-a sort of ritual, directing them in the observances of their religion, but leaving out what they thought fit, and particularly the promises and threatenings (Lev. 26 and Deu. 28, etc.), for I observe that these were the portions of the law which Josiah was so much affected with (v. 13), for these were new to him. No summaries, extracts, or collections, out of the Bible (though they may have their use) can be effectual to convey and preserve the knowledge of God and his will like the Bible itself. It was no marvel that the people were so corrupt when the book of the law was such a scarce thing among them; where that vision is not the people perish. Those that endeavoured to debauch them no doubt used all the arts they could to get that book out of their hands. The church of Rome could not keep up the use of images but by forbidding the use of the scripture.
- 3. It was a great instance of God's favour, and a token for good to Josiah and his people, that the book of the law was thus seasonably brought to light, to direct and quicken that blessed reformation which Josiah had begun. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people when he magnifies his law among them and makes that honourable, and furnishes them with means for the increase of scripture-knowledge. The translating of the scriptures into vulgar tongues was the glory, strength, and joy of the Reformation from Popery. It is observable that they were about a good work, repairing the temple, when they found the book of the law. Those that do their duty according to their knowledge shall have their knowledge increased. To him that hath shall be given. The book of the law was an abundant recompence for all their care and cost about the repair of the temple.
- 4. Hilkiah the priest was exceedingly well pleased with the discovery. "O,' says he to Shaphan, "rejoice with me, for I have found the book of the law, heureµka, heureµka,-I have found, I have found, that jewel of inestimable value. Here, carry it to the king; it is the richest jewel of his crown. Read it before him. He walks in the way of David his father, and, if he be like him, he will love the book of the law and bid that welcome; that will be his delight and his counsellor.'

2Ki 22:11-20

We hear no more of the repairing of the temple: no doubt that good work went on well; but the book of the law that was found in it occupies us now, and well it may. It is not laid up in the king's cabinet as a piece of antiquity, a rarity to be admired, but it is read before the king. Those put the truest honour upon their Bibles that study them and converse with them daily, feed on that bread and walk by that light. Men of honour and business must look upon an acquaintance with God's word to be their best business and honour. Now here we have,

I. The impressions which the reading of the law made upon Josiah. He rent his clothes, as one ashamed of the sin of his people and afraid of the wrath of God; he had long thought the case of his kingdom bad, by reason of the idolatries and impieties that had been found among them, but he never thought it so bad as he perceived it to be by the book of the law now read to him. The rending of his clothes signified the rending of his heart for the dishonour done to God, and the ruin he saw coming upon his people.
II. The application he made to God hereupon: Go, enquire of the Lord for me, v. 13.
- 1. Two things we may suppose he desired to know:-"Enquire,
  - (1.) What we shall do; what course we shall take to turn away God's wrath and prevent the judgments which our sins have deserved.' Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this enquiry, What shall we do to be saved? Wherewithal shall we come before the Lord? If you will thus enquire, enquire quickly, before it be too late.
  - (2.) "What we may expect and must provide for.' He acknowledges, "Our fathers have not hearkened to the words of this book; if this be the rule of right, certainly our fathers have been much in the wrong.' Now that the commandment came sin revived, and appeared sin; in the glass of the law, he saw the sins of his people more numerous and more heinous than he had before seen them, and more exceedingly sinful. He infers hence, "Certainly great is the wrath that is kindled against us; if this be the word of God, as no doubt it is, and he will be true to his word, as no doubt he will be, we are all undone. I never thought the threatenings of the law so severe, and the curses of the covenant so terrible, as now I find them to be; it is time to look about us if these be in force against us.' Note, Those who are truly apprehensive of the weight of God's wrath cannot but be very solicitous to obtain his favour, and inquisitive how they may make their peace with him. Magistrates should enquire for their people, and study how to prevent the judgments of God that they see hanging over them.
- 2. This enquiry Josiah sent,
  - (1.) By some of his great men, who are named v. 12, and again v. 14. Thus he put an honour upon the oracle, by employing those of the first rank to attend it.
  - (2.) To Huldah the prophetess, v. 14. The spirit of prophecy, that inestimable treasure, was sometimes put not only into earthen vessels, but into the weaker vessels, that the excellency of the power might be of God. Miriam helped to lead Israel out of Egypt (Mic. 6:4), Deborah judged them, and now Huldah instructed them in the mind of God, and her being a wife was no prejudice at all to her being a prophetess; marriage is honourable in all. It was a mercy to Jerusalem that when Bibles were scarce they had prophets, as afterwards, when prophecy ceased, that they had more Bibles; for God never leaves himself without witness, because he will leave sinners without excuse. Jeremiah and Zephaniah prophesied at this time, yet the king's messengers made Huldah their oracle, probably because her husband having a place at court (for he was keeper of the wardrobe) they had had more and longer acquaintance with her and greater assurances of her commission than of any other; they had, it is likely, consulted her upon other occasions, and had found that the word of God in her mouth was truth. She was near, for she dwelt at Jerusalem, in a place called Mishneh, the second rank of buildings from the royal palace. The Jews say that she prophesied among the women, the court ladies, being herself one of them, who it is probable had their apartments in that place. Happy the court that had a prophetess within the verge of it, and knew how to value her.
III. The answer he received from God to his enquiry. Huldah returned it not in the language of a courtier-"Pray give my humble service to his Majesty, and let him know that this is the message I have for him from the God of Israel;' but in the dialect of a prophetess, speaking from him before whom all stand upon the same level-Tell the man that sent you to me, v. 15. Even kings, though gods to us, are men to God, and shall so be dealt with; for with him there is no respect of persons.
- 1. She let him know what judgments God had in store for Judah and Jerusalem (v. 16, 17): My wrath shall be kindled against this place; and what is hell itself but the fire of God's wrath kindled against sinners? Observe,
  - (1.) The degree and duration of it. It is so kindled that it shall not be quenched; the decree has gone forth; it is too late now to think of preventing it; the iniquity of Jerusalem shall not be purged with sacrifice or offering. Hell is unquenchable fire.
  - (2.) The reference it has,
    - [1.] To their sins: "They have committed them, as it were, with design, and on purpose to provoke me to anger. It is a fire of their own kindling; they would provoke me, and at length I am provoked.'
    - [2.] To God's threatenings: "The evil I bring is according to the words of the book which the king of Judah has read; the scripture is fulfilled in it. Those that would not be bound by the precept shall be bound by the penalty.' God will be found no less terrible to impenitent sinners than his word makes him to be.
- 2. She let him know what mercy God had in store for him.
  - (1.) Notice is taken of his great tenderness and concern for the glory of God and the welfare of his kingdom (v. 19): Thy heart was tender. Note, God will distinguish those that distinguish themselves. The generality of the people were hardened and their hearts unhumbled, so were the wicked kings his predecessors, but Josiah's heart was tender. He received the impressions of God's word, trembled at it and yielded to it; he was exceedingly grieved for the dishonour done to God by the sins of his fathers and of his people; he was afraid of the judgments of God, which he saw coming upon Jerusalem, and earnestly deprecated them. This is tenderness of heart, and thus he humbled himself before the Lord, and expressed these pious affections by rending his clothes and weeping before God, probably in his closet; but he that sees in secret says it was before him, and he heard it, and put every tear of tenderness into his bottle. Note, Those that most fear God's wrath are least likely to feel it. It should seem that those words (Lev. 26:32) much affected Josiah, I will bring the land into desolation; for when he heard of the desolation and of the curse, that is, that God would forsake them and separate them to evil (for till it came to that they were neither desolate nor accursed), then he rent his clothes: the threatening went to his heart.
  - (2.) A reprieve is granted till after his death (v. 20): I will gather thee to thy fathers. The saints then, no doubt, had a comfortable prospect of happiness on the other side death, else being gathered to their fathers would not have been so often made the matter of a promise as we find it was. Josiah could not prevail to prevent the judgment itself, but God promised him he should not live to see it, which (especially considering that he died in the midst of his days, before he was forty years old) would have been but a small reward for his eminent piety if there had not been another world in which he should be abundantly recompensed, Heb. 11:16. When the righteous is taken away from the evil to come he enters into peace, Isa. 57:1, 2. This is promised to Josiah here: Thou shalt go to thy grave in peace, which refers not to the manner of his death (for he was killed in a battle), but to the time of it; it was a little before the captivity in Babylon, that great trouble, in comparison with which the rest were as nothing, so that he might be truly said to die in peace that did not live to share in that. He died in the love and favour of God, which secure such a peace as no circumstances of dying, no, not dying in the field of war, could alter the nature of, or break in upon.

Worthy.Bible » STRONG » 2 Kings » Chapter 22 » Verse 1

2 Kings 22:1 King James Version with Strong's Concordance (STRONG)

Cross Reference

2 Chronicles 34:1-33 STRONG

Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Matthew Henry Commentary » Commentary on 2 Kings 22

Commentary on 2 Kings 22 Matthew Henry Commentary

Chapter 22