Last godly king of Judah; reformer who rediscovered God's law
c. 648–609 BC · Old Testament
The boy king who became Judah's last great reformer — purging idolatry, rediscovering the Book of the Law in the temple, leading national repentance, and restoring true worship before Judah's fall to Babylon.
Josiah became king of Judah at age 8 after his father Amon was assassinated (2 Kings 22:1). The previous kings (Manasseh, Amon) had led Judah into deep idolatry. Despite his youth, '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 22:2). At 16 he began seeking God; at 20 he began purging idolatry — destroying altars, images, and shrines throughout Judah (and even into Israel, despite Assyrian dominance) (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). At 26 he ordered the temple repaired. During the repairs, the high priest Hilkiah found 'the book of the law' — apparently lost during the dark reigns. When it was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes in grief, realizing how far Judah had departed (2 Kings 22:11). He inquired through the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed judgment was coming on Judah but Josiah would die in peace before it. Josiah gathered the nation, read the book to them publicly, and renewed the covenant (2 Kings 23). He executed reforms more thorough than any king before: tore down high places, destroyed pagan altars, defiled places of idol worship, abolished mediums and wizards, kept a great Passover unlike any since Samuel's day. 2 Kings 23:25 — 'And 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.' Despite his faithfulness, Judah's accumulated sin would still bring judgment. At 39, Josiah died in battle at Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho who was passing through to fight Babylon (2 Kings 23:29-30). Within 23 years of his death, Jerusalem fell. Josiah was the last godly king; the next four were wicked.
After father Amon's assassination
Reform begins
During temple repairs
Reads the book publicly
Most thorough in Judah's history
Greatest since Samuel
Against Pharaoh Necho
Josiah's significance: (1) He was the last godly king of Judah before the exile. (2) His reforms were the most thorough in Israel's history (2 Kings 23:25). (3) The rediscovery of the Book of the Law illustrates the power of God's word — one reading led to national reformation. (4) His death prefigures how even the most faithful leadership cannot reverse accumulated national sin. (5) He is a model of youthful zeal for God paired with wisdom in implementing reform.
Josiah was Judah's last great godly king (c. 640-609 BC), beginning his reign at age 8. He led the most thorough religious reforms in Judah's history — purging idolatry, rediscovering the Book of the Law in the temple, renewing the covenant, and keeping a great Passover. 2 Kings 23:25 — 'Like unto him was there no king before him.' He died in battle at 39, just before Judah's fall to Babylon.
Scholars generally believe it was the book of Deuteronomy (or possibly a larger portion of the Pentateuch). It had been lost during the dark reigns of Manasseh and Amon. When discovered during temple repairs and read to Josiah, he tore his clothes in grief — realizing how far Judah had drifted from God's covenant. The book sparked national reformation.
Eight years old (2 Kings 22:1; 2 Chronicles 34:1). His father Amon had been assassinated by servants in his own house, and the people made Josiah king. At 16 he began seeking God; at 20 he began purging idolatry; at 26 he repaired the temple and found the Book of the Law. He reigned 31 years (8-39) and died young, killed in battle against Pharaoh Necho.
He went to battle against Pharaoh Necho of Egypt who was passing through to fight Babylon. Necho actually warned Josiah not to interfere (2 Chronicles 35:21). Josiah disregarded the warning and was killed at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29-30). Despite his faithfulness, this one decision cost his life. He was 39. His death triggered great mourning; Jeremiah wrote a lamentation for him.