Chapter 23:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 Kings 1 Chronicles
2 Kings 23
Concise Complete
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)
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Verses 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.
Chapter 23:
| Darby
| Geneva
| Gill
| Jamieson Faussett Brown
| Matthew Henry
| Matthew Henry Concise
| Wesley
| Index
| Bible Gateway |
Introduction 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 1 Kings 1 Chronicles
Genesis
Exodus
Leviticus
Numbers
Deuteronomy
Joshua
Judges
Ruth
1 Samuel
2 Samuel
1 Kings
2 Kings
1 Chronicles
2 Chronicles
Ezra
Nehemiah
Esther
Job
Psalm
Proverbs
Ecclesiastes
Song of Solomon
Isaiah
Jeremiah
Lamentations
Ezekiel
Daniel
Hosea
Joel
Amos
Obadiah
Jonah
Micah
Nahum
Habakkuk
Zephaniah
Haggai
Zechariah
Malachi
Matthew
Mark
Luke
John
Acts
Romans
1 Corinthians
2 Corinthians
Galatians
Ephesians
Philippians
Colossians
1 Thessalonians
2 Thessalonians
1 Timothy
2 Timothy
Titus
Philemon
Hebrews
James
1 Peter
2 Peter
1 John
2 John
3 John
Jude
Revelation
