Difference between revisions of "Josiah"

<p> '''Josi'ah.''' ''(whom Jehovah heals).'' </p> <p> 1. The son of Amon and Jedidah, succeeded his father [[B.C.]] 641, in the eighty years of his age, and reigned 31 years. His history is contained in &nbsp;2 Kings 22:1; &nbsp;2 Kings 24:30; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 34:1; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 35:1, and the first twelve chapters of Jeremiah throw much light upon the general character of the [[Jews]] in his day. He began in the eighth year of his reign to seek the Lord; and in his twelfth year, and for six years afterward, in a personal progress throughout all the land of Judah and Israel, he destroyed everywhere high places, groves, images and all outward signs and relics of idolatry. </p> <p> The [[Temple]] was restored under a special commission; and in the course of the repairs, Hilkiah, the priest, found that book of the law of the Lord which quickened so remarkably the ardent zeal of the king. He was aided by Jeremiah, the prophet, in spreading through his kingdom, the knowledge and worship of '''Jehovah''' . </p> <p> The great day of Josiah's life was the day of the '''Passover''' in the eighteenth year of his reign. After this, his endeavors to abolish every trace of idolatry and superstition were still carried on; but the time drew near which had been indicated by Hulda,. &nbsp;2 Kings 22:20, when Pharaoh-necho went from Egypt to Carchemish to carry on his war along the seacoast. Necho reluctantly paused and gave him battle in the valley of Esdraelon. Josiah was mortally wounded, and died before he could reach Jerusalem. He was buried with extraordinary honors. </p> <p> 2. The son of Zephaniah, at whose house took place the solemn and symbolical crowning of Joshua the high priest. &nbsp;Zechariah 6:10. [[(B.C.]] about 1520). </p>

<p> '''Josiah''' (''jo-sî'ah'' ), whom ''Jehovah heals.'' One of the pious kings of Judah. He reigned 31 years, b.c. 640-610. He ascended the throne at the early age of eight years, and before his eighteenth year he had cut off and destroyed all the idols of the land, with their temples, groves, and monuments; and had ransacked the sepulchres of the idolatrous priests, and burned their bones upon the altars, in accordance with the prophecy of the man of God, announced in the presence of [[Jeroboam]] 326 years before Josiah was born. &nbsp;1 Kings 13:2; &nbsp;2 Kings 22:1-2; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 34:1-2. In the prosecution of the thorough repair and purification of the temple, Hilkiah "found the book of the Law of the Lord by Moses." Josiah immediately convoked the whole realm, and in person read the book of the Law to them, and exacted from them a promise to obey it. &nbsp;2 Kings 22:8-20; &nbsp;2 Chronicles 34:14-33. The Scythians are supposed to have invaded Palestine between the thirteenth and the eighteenth year of his reign. Josiah was mortally wounded at Megiddo, and died at Jerusalem. Jeremiah the prophet was greatly affected by it, and composed an elegy on the occasion, &nbsp;2 Chronicles 35:25, and all those accustomed to celebrate in song the worth and achievements of men of great eminence, both men and women, mourned for Josiah for ages after his death. Indeed, the mourning was such as to become proverbial. &nbsp;Zechariah 12:11. He was only 39 years of age when he died. </p>