Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 23
King Josiah wanted all the people in his country to hear God’s holy law. When they had heard it, he asked them to make a covenant – in other words, to promise to obey it. That covenant would be their serious promise to God that they would obey God’s law. Josiah himself was making that promise on behalf of himself and his government. He wanted everyone in Judah to join in with that promise.
Clearly, this was a very serious matter. In the Book of God’s law, the people had heard God’s judgment against the people who did not obey that law. So, by their covenant or promise, the people were declaring that they and their families were responsible to obey that law. They were agreeing with God’s judgments against them if they did not obey. So, their responsibility in this matter was great. They had just heard God’s law – they knew clearly what God wanted them to do.
The people all promised to turn from their evil deeds and to obey God’s law loyally. Already, God had issued his judgment against the evil deeds of Judah’s people – but God had also promised not to carry out that judgment during Josiah’s rule (22:15-20). So, Josiah’s rule gave them an opportunity to learn how to serve God. However, after the death of this good king, Judah would have a series of kings who were not loyal to the true God. That would test whether the people really were sincere in this promise to God. The people who truly wanted to serve God would remain loyal to him even in the most difficult circumstances (for example, Daniel chapter 1). However, the people who selfishly desired wealth and success for themselves would soon turn away from God.
Next part: Josiah acts against wrong religions (2 Kings 23:4)
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