1Tedy poslav král, aby se shromáždili k němu všickni starší Judští a Jeruzalémští, 2Vstoupil král do domu Hospodinova a všickni muži Judští, i všickni obyvatelé Jeruzalémští s ním, i kněží a proroci, a všecken lid od malého až do velikého, i četl, aby všickni slyšeli všecka slova knihy smlouvy, kteráž byla nalezena v domě Hospodinově. 3Potom stoje král na místě vyšším, učinil smlouvu před Hospodinem, že bude následovati Hospodina, a ostříhati přikázaní jeho, i svědectví jehoa ustanovení jeho, vším srdcem svým a vší duší svou, a plniti slova smlouvy té, kteráž jsou zapsána v knize té. K kteréžto smlouvě i všecken lid přistoupil. 4A přikázal král Helkiášovi knězi nejvyššímu a kněžím nižším i strážným prahu, aby vymetali z chrámu Hospodinova všecky nádoby, kteréž udělány byly Bálovi a háji, i všemu vojsku nebeskému. Kterýž popáliv je vně za Jeruzalémem na poli Cedron, vnesl prach jejich do Bethel. 5Složil také kněží, kteréž byli ustanovili králové Judští, aby kadívali na výsostech v městech Judských a vůkol Jeruzaléma; takž podobně i ty, kteříž kadívali Bálovi, slunci, měsíci a planétám, i všemu vojsku nebeskému. 6Vyvezl také háj z domu Hospodinova ven z Jeruzaléma ku potoku Cedron, a spálil jej u potoka Cedron a setřel na prach; ten pak prach vysypal na hroby synů toho lidu. 7Domky také sodomářů hanebných zkazil, kteříž byli při domě Hospodinově, v nichž ženy tkaly kortýny k háji. 8A kázal přivésti všecky kněží z měst Judských, a poškvrnil výsostí, na nichž kadívali kněží, od Gabaa až do Bersabé. Zkazil také výsostí u bran, kteréž byly u vrat brány Jozue, knížete města, a byly po levé straně vcházejícímu do brány městské. 9A však nepřistupovali ti kněží výsostí k oltáři Hospodinovu v Jeruzalémě, ale jídali chleby přesné mezi bratřími svými. 10Poškvrnil také i Tofet, jenž jest v údolí syna Hinnom, aby více žádný nevodil syna svého aneb dcery své skrze oheň Molochovi. 11Zahladil také ty koně, kteréž byli postavili králové Judští slunci, kdež se vchází do domu Hospodinova, k domu Netanmelecha komorníka, kterýž byl v Parvarim; a vozy slunce spálil ohněm. 12Ano i oltáře, kteříž byli na vrchním paláci Achasovu, jichž byli nadělali králové Judští, a oltáře, jichž nadělal Manasses v obou síních domu Hospodinova, pobořil král, a pospíšiv s nimi odtud, dal vysypati prach jejich do potoka Cedron. 13Výsosti také, kteréž byly před Jeruzalémem, a kteréž byly po pravé straně hory Olivetské, jichž byl nadělal Šalomoun král Izraelský Astarotovi, ohavnosti Sidonských, a Chámosovi, ohavnosti Moábských, a Melchomovi, ohavnosti synů Ammon, poškvrnil král, 14A potřískal obrazy, háje posekal, a místa jejich naplnil kostmi lidskými. 15Nadto i oltář, jenž byl v Bethel, a výsost, kterouž udělal Jeroboám syn Nebatův, kterýž přivedl k hřešení Izraele, i ten oltář i výsost zkazil, a spáliv výsost, setřel ji na prach; spálil i háj. 16A obrátiv se Joziáš, uzřel hroby, kteříž tu na hoře byli, a poslav, pobral kosti z těch hrobů a spálil je na tom oltáři. A tak poškvrnil ho vedlé řeči Hospodinovy, kterouž mluvil muž Boží ten, kterýž to předpověděl. 17I řekl: Jaký jest onenno nápis, kterýž vidím? Odpověděli jemu muži města: Hrob muže Božího jest, kterýž přišed z Judstva, předpověděl tyto věci, kteréž jsi učinil při oltáři v Bethel. 18Tedy řekl: Nechtež ho, aniž kdo hýbej kostmi jeho. I vysvobodili kosti jeho s kostmi proroka toho, kterýž byl přišel z Samaří. 19Též všecky domy výsostí, kteříž byli v městech Samařských, jichž byli nadělali králové Izraelští, aby popouzeli Hospodina, zkazil Joziáš, a učinil jim rovně tak, jakž byl učinil v Bethel. 20Zbil také všecky kněží výsostí, kteříž tu byli, na oltářích, a pálil kosti lidské na nich. Potom navrátil se do Jeruzaléma. 21Přikázal pak král všemu lidu, řka: Slavte velikunoc Hospodinu Bohu svému, jakož psáno jest v knize smlouvy této. 22Nebo nebyla slavena taková velikanoc od času soudců, kteříž soudili Izraele, a po všecky dny králů Izraelských a králů Judských. 23Osmnáctého léta krále Joziáše slavena jest ta velikanoc Hospodinu v Jeruzalémě. 24Ano i věšťce a hadače, obrazy i ukydané bohy, a všecky ty ohavnosti, což jich bylo viděti v zemi Judské a v Jeruzalémě, vyplénil Joziáš, aby naplnil slova zákona zapsaná v knize, kterouž nalezl Helkiáš kněz v domě Hospodinově. 25A nebylo jemu podobného krále před ním, kterýž by obrátil se k Hospodinu celým srdcem svým, a celou duší svou, i všemi mocmi svými vedlé všeho zákona Mojžíšova, ani po něm nepovstal podobný jemu. 26A však neodvrátil se Hospodin od prchlivosti hněvu svého velikého, kterouž vzbuzen byl hněv jeho proti Judovi, pro všecka popouzení, kterýmiž popouzel ho Manasses. 27Protož řekl Hospodin: Také i Judu zavrhu od tváři své, jako jsem zavrhl Izraele, a opovrhu to město, kteréž jsem vyvolil, Jeruzalém, i ten dům, o němž jsem byl řekl: Jméno mé tam bude. 28O jiných pak činech Joziášových, a cožkoli činil, zapsáno jest v knize o králích Judských. 29Za dnů jeho přitáhl Farao Nécho král Egyptský proti králi Assyrskému k řece Eufraten. I vytáhl král Joziáš proti němu, a on zabil jej v Mageddo, když ho uzřel. 30Tedy služebníci jeho vloživše jej mrtvého na vůz, přivezli ho z Mageddo do Jeruzaléma, a pochovali jej v hrobě jeho. I vzal lid země Joachaza syna Joziášova, a pomazali ho, i ustanovili králem na místě otce jeho. 31Ve třímecítma letech byl Joachaz, když počal kralovati, a kraloval tři měsíce v Jeruzalémě. Jméno matky jeho bylo Chamutal, dcera Jeremiášova z Lebna. 32A činil to, což jest zlého před očima Hospodinovýma, všecko tak, jakž činili otcové jeho. 33I svázal ho Farao Nécho v Ribla, v zemi Emat, když kraloval v Jeruzalémě, a uložil daň na tu zemi, sto centnéřů stříbra a centnéř zlata. 34A ustanovil Farao Nécho za krále Eliakima syna Joziášova, na místo Joziáše otce jeho, a proměnil jméno jeho, aby sloul Joakim. Ale Joachaza vzal, kterýž, když se dostal do Egypta, umřel tam. 35To pak zlato i stříbro dával Joakim Faraonovi; pročež šacoval obyvatele země, aby mohl dáti stříbro k rozkázaní Faraonovu. Od jednoho každého vedlé toho, jakž byl šacován, bral stříbro i zlato od lidu země, aby dal Faraonovi Néchovi. 36V pětmecítma letech byl Joakim, když počal kralovati, a jedenácte let kraloval v Jeruzalémě. Jméno matky jeho bylo Zebuda, dcera Pedaiova z Ruma. 37I činil to, což jest zlého před očima Hospodinovýma, podlé všeho, což činili otcové jeho.
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).