Josiah became king at eight, after his father was murdered. At sixteen he began to seek the God of David. At twenty-six, while workers repaired the temple, the high priest found a forgotten book of the law. When it was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes.
He did not just grieve. He gathered the people, read the whole book to them, and made a covenant before the LORD. He cleared idols from the land and held a Passover like none since the judges. He died in battle at thirty-nine, but Scripture gives him its highest praise.
“
Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might
Name means
“The LORD supports”
Home
Jerusalem
Role
Sixteenth king of Judah, who led the last great reform
Read in
;
Josiah's story
The book is found
Beginning
King at eight
He comes to the throne as a boy, and as a young man begins to seek the God of David.
Turning point
The book is found
The high priest finds the book of the law in the temple. When Josiah hears it, he tears his clothes.
High point
The covenant renewed
He reads the book to all the people and makes a covenant to follow the LORD with all his heart.
High point
Clearing the land
He removes idols and high places and keeps a Passover like none since the judges.
Ending
Death at Megiddo
He goes out against Pharaoh Neco, is wounded by archers, and dies. Jeremiah laments for him.
Starts as a boy king in a faithless land. Ends as the king who turned to God with all his heart.
Where Josiah lived and went
Only places Scripture records. Softer, dotted pins are traditional or uncertain sites. Tap a pin for the passage.
HomeMinistryKey momentTraditional or uncertainPinch or use + to zoom. Tap a cluster to spread it out.
How Josiah is wired
Why there's no type here
Scripture records his reforms in detail but almost nothing of his inner life beyond a tender heart, so a type would be guesswork.
Strengths & struggles
What's good in Josiah
Sought God young (). A tender, humble heart (). Thorough reform ().
Where Josiah struggles
He went to war against Pharaoh Neco and would not listen when warned ().
Josiah renewed the covenant for a few years. Jesus brings a new covenant that lasts.
Josiah's reforms did not change the hearts of his people, and Judah fell soon after him. What Judah needed was a law written on the heart, which Jeremiah, who lived in Josiah's day, promised (). Jesus brings that new covenant in his blood ().
Questions to sit with
1
Josiah tore his clothes when he heard God's word. When did Scripture last cut you to the heart?
2
He started seeking God young, in a family that did not. What does that say about where faith can begin?
Study Josiah with your group
Ready-to-lead group studies with discussion questions and a leader's note are on the way.
