Doctrine of Josiah
Tod Kennedy
July 2004

1.     Josiah (2 Kings 22-23; 2 Chronicles 34-35; r. 640-609 BC) was the last prominent king of Judah before the great destruction. The invasions by Babylon began in 605 BC and eventuated in the destruction of Jerusalem, the temple, and the exile of the people to Babylon in 586 BC.

2.     At the age of eight years he began his reign. In the eighteenth year of his reign be began repairing the temple. During this construction Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the Law (Moses’ writing). Shaphan the scribe read the Law to Josiah. Josiah was appalled at the apostasy of the people from God’s word.

3.     Josiah purged Jerusalem and Judah of idols, idol high places (for worship), pagan priests, mediums, and spiritists. Because of his honest acceptance of God’s word, the Lord would put off divine judgment of Judah until after Josiah died.

4. Josiah met his death when he foolishly went to fight against the Egyptians in 609 BC. Pharaoh Neco's archers killed him in battle. Though Pharaoh Neco of Egypt killed Josiah in battle, Neco set up Josiah’s son, Jehoahaz, as the client king, then removed him and imprisoned him at Riblah, and shortly after took him to Egypt (609 BC).

5. After Josiah died, Judah rebelled against God, God’s prophets, and God’s disciplining hand. God judged this generation through the Babylonians from 605 BC to 586 BC.

6.     Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar soon disposed of Egypt as a power, and then invaded and destroyed Jerusalem.