_A.M. 3363. B.C. 641._ The general character of Josiah, _2Ch 34:1, 2 Chronicles 34:2. He roots out idolatry, 2 Chronicles 34:3. Repairs the temple, 2 Chronicles 34:8. Rends his clothes on hearing the book of the law, and sends to inquire of God, 2 Chronicles 34:14. Huldah foretels the destruction o... [ Continue Reading ]
_Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign_ The reader will find the principal parts of this chapter explained at large in the notes on 2 Kings 22. and 23., to which he is referred.... [ Continue Reading ]
_While he was yet young_ In the sixteenth year of his age; when he was entering into the age of temptation, and had the administration of his kingdom wholly in his own power, and none to restrain him, even then he begins to be religious in good earnest.... [ Continue Reading ]
_Even unto Naphtali_ Which was in the utmost borders of the kingdom of Israel. For it must be remembered, that the ten tribes were now gone into captivity; and those who were come in their stead were weak and few, and not able to withstand the power of Josiah.... [ Continue Reading ]
_When he had purged the land and the house_ The house of God, called the house, by way of eminence. _And they returned to Jerusalem_ That is, the Levites, who had gone abroad through all Josiah's kingdom to gather money for this use, and now came with it to Jerusalem to lodge it in the treasuries of... [ Continue Reading ]
_All that could skill of instruments of music_ All these, here named, were _skilful in instruments of music_ Which may be here mentioned, to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both employments, and did successively oversee the work, and praise God with their voices and in... [ Continue Reading ]
_When the king had heard the words he rent his clothes_ Were the things contained in Scripture new to us, as they were here to Josiah, surely they would make deeper impressions upon us than they commonly do. But they are not the less weighty, and therefore should not be the less regarded, because th... [ Continue Reading ]
_He caused all present to stand to it_ He caused them to engage by an oath or covenant, that they would observe the laws of God, as his predecessors had formerly done, and which indeed they were before obliged to do. _The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant,_ &c. They complied wit... [ Continue Reading ]