Then the king asked, "What is this monument I see?" And the men of the city replied, "It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel." Then he askedThis phrase introduces a moment of inquiry and curiosity. The Hebrew root for "asked" is "שָׁאַל" (sha'al), which implies a seeking of knowledge or understanding. In the context of King Josiah's reforms, this question signifies a deeper search for truth and righteousness, reflecting a heart aligned with God's will. Josiah's inquiry is not just about the physical monument but about understanding God's past actions and prophecies. What is this monument I see?
The term "monument" in Hebrew is "מַצֵּבָה" (matzevah), often referring to a pillar or standing stone set up as a memorial. This monument serves as a tangible reminder of God's intervention and the fulfillment of prophecy. In the historical context, such monuments were common in ancient Israel as markers of significant events or divine encounters. Josiah's recognition of the monument underscores the importance of remembering and honoring God's work in history. And the men of the city replied
The response from "the men of the city" indicates a communal awareness and acknowledgment of the monument's significance. This collective memory highlights the role of community in preserving and transmitting the knowledge of God's deeds. It also suggests that the people of the city were aware of the prophetic words spoken against the altar of Bethel, emphasizing the widespread impact of God's message. It is the tomb of the man of God
The phrase "man of God" is a title of honor, often used in the Old Testament to describe prophets or individuals who were particularly devoted to God's service. The Hebrew term "אִישׁ הָאֱלֹהִים" (ish ha'elohim) conveys a sense of divine calling and authority. This acknowledgment of the prophet's tomb serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of those who faithfully deliver God's messages, even when they challenge established norms. who came from Judah
This detail about the prophet's origin from Judah is significant, as it connects the prophecy to the southern kingdom, emphasizing the unity of God's message across the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah. It also highlights the prophet's journey and mission, underscoring the idea that God's word transcends geographical and political boundaries. and pronounced these things
The act of pronouncing or declaring "these things" refers to the prophetic utterance against the altar of Bethel. The Hebrew root "קָרָא" (qara) implies a public proclamation, often with authority and urgency. This highlights the role of prophecy in calling people to repentance and aligning them with God's purposes. The fulfillment of these pronouncements in Josiah's reforms demonstrates the power and reliability of God's word. that you have done against the altar of Bethel
The "altar of Bethel" was a center of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam, which stood in opposition to the worship of Yahweh in Jerusalem. The actions "done against" this altar by Josiah were in direct fulfillment of the prophecy, as he sought to purify the land from idolatry. This phrase underscores the theme of divine justice and the fulfillment of God's promises, as well as the importance of obedience to God's commands in eradicating false worship. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore true worship by removing idolatry from the land. 2. The Man of God from JudahA prophet who had previously prophesied against the altar at Bethel, foretelling its destruction. 3. BethelA significant location in the Northern Kingdom of Israel, known for its idolatrous practices, particularly the worship of golden calves. 4. The Men of the CityResidents of Bethel who inform Josiah about the tomb of the man of God. 5. The Altar of BethelAn altar that was a center of idolatrous worship, which Josiah defiled as part of his reforms. Teaching Points Faithfulness to God's WordJosiah's actions demonstrate the importance of adhering to God's commands, even when it requires significant change and courage. The Power of ProphecyThe fulfillment of the man of God's prophecy underscores the reliability and authority of God's word. Legacy of ObedienceThe man of God from Judah left a legacy through his obedience, reminding us that our actions can have lasting spiritual impact. Confronting IdolatryJosiah's reforms challenge us to identify and remove any form of idolatry in our lives, prioritizing God above all else. Respect for God's ServantsJosiah's respect for the tomb of the man of God highlights the importance of honoring those who faithfully serve God. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Josiah's response to the tomb of the man of God reflect his attitude towards God's word and its messengers? 2. In what ways can we identify and remove "altars" of idolatry in our own lives today? 3. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in this passage encourage us to trust in the promises of God found in Scripture? 4. What can we learn from the legacy of the man of God from Judah about the impact of faithful obedience? 5. How do Josiah's actions in 2 Kings 23:17 inspire us to take bold steps in our spiritual walk, even when it involves confronting difficult truths? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 13This chapter provides the background of the man of God from Judah who prophesied against the altar at Bethel, predicting its eventual desecration by Josiah. 2 Chronicles 34-35These chapters parallel the account of Josiah's reforms, emphasizing his commitment to the covenant and the eradication of idolatry. Deuteronomy 12This passage outlines God's command to destroy places of idolatrous worship, which Josiah faithfully executes. Jeremiah 1:10Jeremiah's commission to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant, reflects the prophetic role Josiah fulfills in his reforms. People Ahaz, Ammonites, Ashtoreth, Ben, Chemosh, Eliakim, Hamutal, Hilkiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jeremiah, Jeroboam, Joshua, Josiah, Manasseh, Melech, Milcom, Moabites, Molech, Nathan, Nathanmelech, Nebat, Pedaiah, Pharaoh, Pharaohnechoh, Sidonians, Sodomites, Solomon, Zebudah, ZidoniansPlaces Assyria, Beersheba, Bethel, Egypt, Euphrates River, Geba, Hamath, Jerusalem, Kidron, Libnah, Megiddo, Moab, Riblah, Rumah, Samaria, Topheth, Valley of HinnomTopics Altar, Bethel, Beth-el, Grave, Hast, Headstone, Judah, Marks, Monument, Predicted, Proclaimed, Proclaimeth, Pronounced, Resting-place, Sepulcher, Sepulchre, Sign, Title, Tomb, Tombstone, Town, YonderDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 23:1-20 7241 Jerusalem, significance 2 Kings 23:1-24 8466 reformation 2 Kings 23:1-25 5345 influence
7245 Judah, kingdom of 2 Kings 23:4-20 4906 abolition 2 Kings 23:8-20 7442 shrine 2 Kings 23:15-20 7302 altar 2 Kings 23:16-18 1429 prophecy, OT fulfilment Library Reformation Lessons
Eversley. 1861. 2 Kings xxiii. 3, 4, 25, 26. "And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the Lord, to "walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant. And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out …
Charles Kingsley—All Saints' Day and Other SermonsWhether the Old Law was Suitably Given at the Time of Moses?
Objection 1: It would seem that the Old Law was not suitably given at the time of Moses. Because the Old Law disposed man for the salvation which was to come through Christ, as stated above ([2068]AA[2],3). But man needed this salutary remedy immediately after he had sinned. Therefore the Law should have been given immediately after sin. Objection 2: Further, the Old Law was given for the sanctification of those from whom Christ was to be born. Now the promise concerning the "seed, which is Christ" …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Christ Should have Been Born in Bethlehem?
Objection 1: It would seem that Christ should not have been born in Bethlehem. For it is written (Is. 2:3): "The law shall come forth from Sion, and the Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." But Christ is truly the Word of God. Therefore He should have come into the world at Jerusalem. Objection 2: Further, it is said (Mat. 2:23) that it is written of Christ that "He shall be called a Nazarene"; which is taken from Is. 11:1: "A flower shall rise up out of his root"; for "Nazareth" is interpreted "a flower." …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether Prophets Always Know the Things which they Prophesy?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophets always know the things which they prophesy. For, as Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9), "those to whom signs were shown in spirit by means of the likenesses of bodily things, had not the gift of prophecy, unless the mind was brought into action, so that those signs were also understood by them." Now what is understood cannot be unknown. Therefore the prophet is not ignorant of what he prophesies. Objection 2: Further, the light of prophecy surpasses …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica Whether the Prophecy which is Accompanied by Intellective and Imaginative vision is More Excellent than that which is Accompanied by Intellective vision Alone?
Objection 1: It would seem that the prophecy which has intellective and imaginative vision is more excellent than that which is accompanied by intellective vision alone. For Augustine says (Gen. ad lit. xii, 9): "He is less a prophet, who sees in spirit nothing but the signs representative of things, by means of the images of things corporeal: he is more a prophet, who is merely endowed with the understanding of these signs; but most of all is he a prophet, who excels in both ways," and this refers …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Fall of Solomon
'For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
'And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord. 10. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Entering the Covenant: with all the Heart
"And they entered into the covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart, and all their soul."--2 CHRON. xv. 12 (see xxxiv. 31, and 2 Kings xxiii. 3). "The Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul."--DEUT. xxx. 6. "And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord; and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall turn to Me with their whole heart."--JER. xxiv. 7 (see xxix. 13). …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants How Shall one Make Use of Christ as the Life, when Wrestling with an Angry God Because of Sin?
That we may give some satisfaction to this question, we shall, 1. Shew what are the ingredients in this case, or what useth to concur in this distemper. 2. Shew some reasons why the Lord is pleased to dispense thus with his people. 3. Shew how Christ is life to the soul in this case. 4. Shew the believer's duty for a recovery; and, 5. Add a word or two of caution. As to the first, There may be those parts of, or ingredients in this distemper: 1. God presenting their sins unto their view, so as …
John Brown (of Wamphray)—Christ The Way, The Truth, and The Life The Sins of Communities Noted and Punished.
"Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation." This is predicated of the judgments of God on those who had shed the blood of his saints. The Savior declares that all the righteous blood which had been shed on the earth from that of Abel down to the gospel day, should come on that generation! But is not this unreasonable and contrary to the Scriptures? "Far be wickedness from God and iniquity from the Almighty. For the work of man shall be render unto him, and cause every …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 23:17 NIV2 Kings 23:17 NLT2 Kings 23:17 ESV2 Kings 23:17 NASB2 Kings 23:17 KJV
2 Kings 23:17 Commentaries
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