Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 23
Although Josiah was completely sincere in his love for God, the people in his nation were not sincere. They changed their behaviour during his rule, but not their attitudes. They did not still pray in front of the images of false gods; now, they insisted that they served only the true and living God. However, in their hearts, they had selfish attitudes and they hated God’s law. God told Jeremiah that not one of them was truly honest. The people and their leaders were all guilty. That was why God could not forgive their city or their nation (Jeremiah 5:1-6).
The great changes that Josiah made, could not truly turn the people back to God. Those great changes in Judah’s official religion could only give the people one last opportunity to turn to God. Even the most powerful king cannot change people’s attitudes. Josiah could teach God’s law to the people; but he could not teach them to love God or his law.
So, Josiah’s great efforts did not change the judgment that God had already made against his nation. Josiah had acted in the clear knowledge that the judgment would happen soon after his death (22:11-20). God made that judgment during the very wicked rule of Manasseh, Josiah’s grandfather (21:1-18).
That judgment was against Judah, Jerusalem and against God’s own temple (his house in Jerusalem). It was similar to the judgment that God previously made against northern and central Israel, and its capital, Samaria (17:5-23). The army of Babylon would completely destroy both Jerusalem and its temple. They would force the people in Judah and Jerusalem to leave their homes and their country. Those people would have to march to a distant country; and there, they had to live and to work (Psalm 137).
Next part: The death of Josiah (2 Kings 23:28-30)
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