1Keď kráľ vyslal poslov, zhromaždili sa k nemu všetci starší Júdu a Jeruzalema. 2Potom vstúpil kráľ do domu Hospodinovho a s ním všetci judskí mužovia, všetci obyvatelia Jeruzalema, aj kňazi, aj proroci a všetok ľud od najmenšieho po najväčšieho. Nato im prečítal všetky slová knihy zmluvy, ktorá sa našla v dome Hospodinovom. 3Potom si kráľ stal k stĺpu a uzavrel zmluvu pred Hospodinom, že budú nasledovať Hospodina, zachovávať Jeho príkazy, Jeho svedectvá aj Jeho ustanovenia celým srdcom a celou dušou na splnenie slov zmluvy, zapísaných v onej knihe. Všetok ľud sa pripojil k zmluve. 4Vtedy kráľ rozkázal veľkňazovi Chilkijovi, druhoradým kňazom a strážcom prahu vyniesť z Hospodinovho chrámu všetky nádoby zhotovené pre Baala, pre Ašéru a pre všetok nebeský voj. Spálil to mimo Jeruzalema na poliach Kidrónu. Popol dal odniesť do Bételu. 5Odstránil modlárskych kňazov, ktorých ustanovili judskí králi a ktorí kadili na výšinách judských miest i v okolí Jeruzalema, aj tých, čo kadievali Baalovi, slnku, mesiacu, hviezdam zvieratníka a všetkému nebeskému voju. 6Dal vyniesť ašéru z domu Hospodinovho za Jeruzalem do údolia Kidrónu, aj ju spálil v tomto údolí, rozdrvil na prach a rozhádzal ho po hroboch pospolitého ľudu. 7Potom rozbúral príbytky zasvätencov kultickej prostitúcie, ktoré boli v dome Hospodinovom, kde ženy tkali závoje pre Ašéru. 8Dal predviesť všetkých kňazov z judských miest, poškvrnil výšiny, na ktorých kňazi kadievali od Geby až po Beér-Šebu, rozbúral výšiny poľných démonov pri vchode do brány mestského veliteľa Jehóšuu, na ľavej strane, ako sa vchádza do mestskej brány. 9Ale výšinoví kňazi nesmeli vystúpiť hore k Hospodinovmu oltáru v Jeruzaleme, ale jedli nekvasený chlieb uprostred svojich bratov. 10Poškvrnil aj Tófet v údolí Ben-Hinnóm, aby už nikto nepreviedol Molochovi svojho syna alebo svoju dcéru cez oheň. 11Odstránil aj kone, ktoré judskí králi venovali slnku pri vchode do domu Hospodinovho, pri izbe komorníka Netan-Melecha, ktorý bol v Parváre; a slncové vozy spálil ohňom. 12Oltáre, ktoré boli na nástreší hornej miestnosti Ácházovej a ktoré zhotovili judskí králi, aj oltáre, ktoré zhotovil Menašše v oboch nádvoriach domu Hospodinovho, kráľ zrúcal, rozdrvil ich tam, prach z nich vyhodil do kidrónskeho údolia. 13Kráľ poškvrnil aj výšiny východne od Jeruzalema na južnej strane Olivového vrchu, ktoré vybudoval izraelský kráľ Šalamún sidónskej ohavnosti Aštarte, moábskej ohavnosti Kemóšovi a Milkómovi, ošklivosti Ammóncov. 14Roztrieskal posvätné stĺpy, vyťal ašéry a ich miesto vyplnil ľudskými kosťami. 15Aj oltár v Bételi, výšinu, ktorú zriadil Járobeám, syn Nebatov, ktorý zviedol na hriech Izrael, aj ten oltár a výšinu rozbúral. Výšinu spálil, rozdrvil ju na prach a ašéru spálil. 16Keď sa Joziáš obrátil a uzrel tam hroby, ktoré boli na vrchu, dal vybrať kosti z hrobov a spálil ich na oltári. Tak ho poškvrnil podľa slova Hospodinovho, ktoré ohlásil Boží muž predpovedajúci tie veci. 17Potom sa opýtal: Čo je to tam za pomník, na ktorý sa dívam? Miestni ľudia mu vysvetlili: Je to hrob Božieho muža, ktorý prišiel z Judska a ohlásil tie veci, ktoré si vykonal s oltárom v Bételi. 18Nato povedal: Nechajte ho na pokoji. Nech nikto nepohne jeho kosti. A tak zachránili jeho kosti i s kosťami proroka, ktorý prišiel zo Samárie. 19Joziáš odstránil i všetky výšinové svätyne v samárskych mestách, ktoré zhotovili izraelskí králi, aby popudzovali Hospodina, a urobil s nimi celkom tak, ako urobil v Bételi. 20Potom pozabíjal všetkých výšinových kňazov, ktorí tam boli pri oltároch, spálil na nich ľudské kosti a vrátil sa do Jeruzalema. 21Tu prikázal kráľ všetkému ľudu: Zasväťte paschu svojmu Bohu, Hospodinovi, ako je to napísané v tejto knihe zmluvy. 22Lebo taká pascha sa nesvätila od čias sudcov, ktorí spravovali Izrael, ani po všetky časy izraelských a judských kráľov. 23Len v osemnástom roku kráľa Joziáša sa táto pascha svätila Hospodinovi v Jeruzaleme. 24Joziáš odpratal aj vyvolávačov duchov a vedomcov, aj terafím, modly a všetky ohavnosti, ktoré bolo vidieť v Judsku a v Jeruzaleme, aby splnil slová zákona napísané v knihe, ktorú našiel kňaz Chilkijá v dome Hospodinovom. 25A nebolo pred ním kráľa, ktorý by sa bol tak obrátil k Hospodinovi celým srdcom, celou dušou a všetkou silou podľa celého zákona Mojžišovho. Ani po ňom nebol jemu podobný. 26Hospodin však jednako neupustil od svojho veľkého pálčivého hnevu, ktorým vzplanul proti Júdovi pre všetko popudzovanie, ktorým ho hneval Menašše. 27Hospodin riekol: Aj Júdu odstránim spred seba, ako som odstránil Izrael, a zavrhnem toto mesto Jeruzalem, ktoré som si vyvolil, aj dom, o ktorom som povedal, že tam bude moje meno. 28Ostatné činy Joziášove, všetko, čo vykonal, je zapísané v Knihe letopisov judských kráľov. 29Za jeho čias egyptský kráľ faraón Nechó tiahol k asýrskemu kráľovi k rieke Eufratu. Kráľ Joziáš mu šiel v ústrety, ale on ho zabil pri Megidde hneď, ako ho uvidel. 30Jeho služobníci priviezli mŕtveho z Megidda do Jeruzalema a pochovali ho v jeho hrobke. Potom vzal ľud krajiny Jóácháza, syna Joziášovho, pomazali ho a ustanovili za kráľa miesta jeho otca. 31Jóácház mal dvadsaťtri rokov, keď sa stal kráľom, a kraľoval tri mesiace v Jeruzaleme. Jeho matka sa volala Chamútal, dcéra Jirmejova z Libny. 32Robil, čo sa nepáči Hospodinovi, celkom tak, ako robili jeho otcovia. 33Faraón Nechó ho dal spútať v Rible, v Chamáte preto, aby nemohol kraľovať v Jeruzaleme, a na krajinu uložil pokutu sto talentov striebra a talent zlata. 34Nato faraón Nechó ustanovil za kráľa Eljákíma, syna Joziášovho, miesto jeho otca Joziáša, a zmenil mu meno na Jójákím. Jóácháza vzal, odviedol do Egypta, a tam zomrel. 35Jójákím odovzdal faraónovi striebro a zlato. Musel však zdaniť krajinu, aby mohol dať primerané množstvo striebra faraónovi. Od každého z ľudu krajiny vymáhal striebro a zlato podľa jeho odhadu, aby mohol dať faraónovi Nechóvi. 36Jójákím mal dvadsaťpäť rokov, keď sa stal kráľom, a kraľoval jedenásť rokov v Jeruzaleme, Jeho matka sa volala Zebídá, dcéra Pedájova z Rúmy. 37Konal, čo sa nepáči Hospodinovi, celkom tak, ako konali jeho otcovia.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 JOSIAH CAUSES THE LAW TO BE READ. (
2Kgs 23:1-3)
the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders--This pious and patriotic king, not content with the promise of his own security, felt, after Huldah's response, an increased desire to avert the threatened calamities from his kingdom and people. Knowing the richness of the divine clemency and grace to the penitent, he convened the elders of the people, and placing himself at their head, accompanied by the collective body of the inhabitants, went in solemn procession to the temple, where he ordered the book of the law to be read to the assembled audience, and covenanted, with the unanimous concurrence of his subjects, to adhere steadfastly to all the commandments of the Lord. It was an occasion of solemn interest, closely connected with a great national crisis, and the beautiful example of piety in the highest quarter would exert a salutary influence over all classes of the people in animating their devotions and encouraging their return to the faith of their fathers.
2 he read in their ears--that is, "caused to be read."
3 all the people stood to the covenant--that is, they agreed to the proposals made; they assented to what was required of them.
4 HE DESTROYS IDOLATRY. (2Ki. 23:4-28)
the king commanded Hilkiah, &c.--that is, the high priest and other priests, for there was not a variety of official gradations in the temple.
all the vessels, &c.--the whole apparatus of idol-worship.
burned them without Jerusalem--The law required them to be consigned to the flames (
Deut 7:25).
in the fields of Kidron--most probably that part of the valley of Kidron, where lies Jerusalem and the Mount of Olives. It is a level, spacious basin, abounding at present with plantations [ROBINSON]. The brook winds along the east and south of the city, the channel of which is throughout a large portion of the year almost or wholly dry, except after heavy rains, when it suddenly swells and overflows. There were emptied all the impurities of the temple (
2Chr 29:15-16) and the city. His reforming predecessors had ordered the mutilated relics of idolatry to be thrown into that receptacle of filth (
1Kgs 15:13;
2Chr 15:16;
2Chr 30:14); but Josiah, while he imitated their piety, far outstripped them in zeal; for he caused the ashes of the burnt wood and the fragments of the broken metal to be collected and conveyed to Beth-el, in order thenceforth to associate ideas of horror and aversion with that place, as odious for the worst pollutions.
5 put down the idolatrous priests--Hebrew, chemarim, "scorched," that is, Guebres, or fire-worshippers, distinguished by a girdle (
Ezek 23:14-
Ezek 23:17) or belt of wool and camel's hair, twisted round the body twice and tied with four knots, which had a symbolic meaning, and made it a supposed defense against evil.
them also that burned incense unto Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, &c.--or Baal-shemesh, for Baal was sometimes considered the sun. This form of false worship was not by images, but pure star-worship, borrowed from the old Assyrians.
and--rather, "even to all the host of heaven."
6 brought out the grove--that is, Asherah, the mystic tree, placed by Manasseh in the temple [
2Kgs 21:5;
2Chr 33:5], removed by him after his conversion [
2Chr 33:15], but replaced in the sanctuary by his wicked son Amon [
2Kgs 21:20-21]. Josiah had it taken to Kidron, burnt the wood, ground the metal about it to powder, and strewed the ashes "on the graves of the children of the people." The poor were buried in a common on part of the valley of Kidron. But reference is here made to the graves "of those that had sacrificed" (
2Chr 34:4).
7 brake down the houses of the sodomites--not solid houses, but tents, called elsewhere [
2Kgs 17:30] Succoth-benoth, "the booths of the young women," who were devoted to the service of Asherah, for which they made embroidered hangings, and in which they gave themselves to unbridled revelry and lust. Or the hangings might be for Asherah itself, as it is a popular superstition in the East to hang pieces of cloth on trees.
8 he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled the high places, &c.--Many of the Levitical order, finding in the reigns of Manasseh and Amon the temple-worship abolished and the tithes and other offerings alienated, had been betrayed into the folly of officiating on high places, and presenting such sacrifices as were brought to them. These irregularities, even though the object of that worship was the true God, were prohibited in the law (
Deut 12:11). Those who had been guilty of this sin, Josiah brought to Jerusalem. Regarding them as defiled, he debarred them from the service of the temple, but gave them an allowance out of the temple revenues, like the lame and disabled members of the priesthood (
Lev 21:21-
Lev 21:22).
from Geba to to Beer-sheba--the most northern and the most southern places in Judah--meaning all parts of the kingdom.
the high places . . . which were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua--The governor's house and gate were on the left of the city gate, and close by the entrance of that civic mansion house were public altars, dedicated, it might be, to the true God, but contrary to His own ordinance of worship (
Isa 57:8).
10 Topheth--so called from Toph--a "drum." It is the prevailing opinion among Jewish writers that the cries of the terrified children made to pass through the fire in that place of idolatrous horror were drowned by the sound of that instrument.
11 took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the sun--Among the people who anciently worshipped the sun, horses were usually dedicated to that divinity, from the supposed idea that the sun himself was drawn in a chariot by horses. In some cases these horses were sacrificed; but more commonly they were employed either in the sacred processions to carry the images of the sun, or for the worshippers to ride in every morning to welcome his rise. It seems that the idolatrous kings, Ahaz, Manasseh, and Amon, or their great officers, proceeded on these horses early on each day from the east gate of the temple to salute and worship the sun at his appearing above the horizon.
12 the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz--Altars were reared on the flat roofs of houses, where the worshippers of "the host of heaven" burnt incense (
Zeph 1:5;
Jer 19:13). Ahaz had reared altars for this purpose on the oleah, or upper chamber of his palace, and Manasseh on some portion of the roof of the temple. Josiah demolished both of these structures.
13 the high places . . . which Solomon . . . had builded--(See on
1Kgs 11:5).
the right hand of the mount of corruption--The Mount of Olives is a hilly range on the east of Jerusalem. This range has three summits, of which the central one is the Mount of Corruption, so called from the idol temples built there, and of course the hill on the right hand denotes the southernmost peak. Josiah is said not to have destroyed, but only defiled, "the high places on the hill of corruption." It is most probable that Hezekiah had long before demolished the idolatrous temples erected there by Solomon but, as the superstitious people continued to regard the spot as consecrated ground, Josiah defiled it.
14 filled their places with the bones of men--Every monument of idolatry in his dominion he in like manner destroyed, and the places where they stood he defiled by strewing them with dead men's bones. The presence of a dead carcass rendered both persons and places unclean in the eyes both of Jews and heathens.
15 Moreover the altar that was at Beth-el, &c.--Not satisfied with the removal of every vestige of idolatry from his own dominion, this zealous iconoclast made a tour of inspection through the cities of Samaria and all the territory formerly occupied by the ten tribes, destroying the altars and temples of the high places, consigning the Asherim to the flames, putting to death the priests of the high places, and showing his horror at idolatry by ransacking the sepulchers of idolatrous priests, and strewing the burnt ashes of their bones upon the altars before he demolished them.
16 according to the word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, &c.--In carrying on these proceedings, Josiah was prompted by his own intense hatred of idolatry. But it is remarkable that this act was predicted three hundred twenty-six years before his birth, and his name also was expressly mentioned, as well as the very place where it should be done (
1Kgs 13:2). This is one of the most most remarkable prophecies in the Bible.
17 What title is that that I see?--The king's attention probably, had been arrested by a tombstone more conspicuous than the rest around it, bearing on an inscription the name of him that lay beneath; and this prompted his curiosity to make the inquiry.
the men of the city--not the Assyrian colonists--for they could know nothing about the ancient transactions of the place--but some of the old people who had been allowed to remain, and perhaps the tomb itself might not then have been discoverable, through the effects of time and neglect, had not some "Old Mortality" garnished the sepulcher of the righteous.
21 the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the Lord your God, &c.--It was observed with great solemnity and was attended not only by his own subjects, but by the remnant people from Israel (see on 2Ch. 35:1-19). Many of the Israelites who were at Jerusalem might have heard of, if they did not hear, the law read by Josiah. It is probable that they might even have procured a copy of the law, stimulated as they were to the better observance of Jehovah's worship by the unusual and solemn transactions at Jerusalem.
26 Notwithstanding, the Lord turned not from the fierceness of his wrath,--&c. The national reformation which Josiah carried on was acquiesced in by the people from submission to the royal will; but they entertained a secret and strong hankering after the suppressed idolatries. Though outwardly purified, their hearts were not right towards God, as appears from many passages of the prophetic writings; their thorough reform was hopeless; and God, who saw no sign of genuine repentance, allowed His decree (
2Kgs 21:12-15) for the subversion of the kingdom to take fatal effect.
29 In his days Pharaoh-nechoh--(See
2Chr 35:20-27).