And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets--all the people small and great--and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. And he went up to the house of the LORDThis phrase signifies a physical and spiritual ascent. The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "house" (בַּיִת, bayit) implies not just a physical structure but a household or family, indicating a communal gathering in the presence of God. This ascent is symbolic of drawing nearer to God, a theme prevalent throughout Scripture, where approaching God requires reverence and humility. with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem
The inclusion of "all the people" emphasizes the communal nature of this event. Judah and Jerusalem represent the southern kingdom, the remnant of Israel that remained after the division of the kingdom. This gathering underscores the unity and collective responsibility of the people in renewing their covenant with God. Historically, this reflects a time of national reformation under King Josiah, who sought to restore true worship and obedience to God's laws. along with the priests and the prophets
The presence of "priests and prophets" highlights the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding the people back to God. Priests were responsible for temple worship and sacrifices, while prophets were God's messengers, calling the people to repentance and faithfulness. This collaboration between religious leaders and the king signifies a holistic approach to spiritual renewal, where both the law and prophetic word are honored. all the people from the least to the greatest
This phrase indicates inclusivity and equality before God. In God's eyes, every individual, regardless of social status, is significant. The Hebrew concept of community (עָם, am) is one where each person is valued and has a role in the covenant relationship with God. This egalitarian approach is a reminder of the universal call to holiness and obedience, transcending societal hierarchies. And he read in their hearing
The act of reading "in their hearing" signifies the public proclamation of God's Word. In ancient times, oral tradition was vital for the transmission of knowledge and faith. The Hebrew verb for "read" (קָרָא, qara) also means to call or proclaim, indicating that this was not merely a recitation but a call to action and response. Hearing the Word is the first step towards understanding and obedience. all the words of the Book of the Covenant
The "Book of the Covenant" refers to the rediscovered scroll, likely containing the laws given to Moses. This discovery was pivotal in Josiah's reforms, as it reintroduced the people to the foundational truths of their faith. The term "covenant" (בְּרִית, berit) is central to the biblical narrative, representing the binding agreement between God and His people, characterized by promises and obligations. that had been found in the house of the LORD
The finding of the book in the "house of the LORD" is both literal and symbolic. It suggests a period of neglect and forgetfulness of God's laws, which were hidden or lost within the very place meant to uphold them. This rediscovery is a metaphor for spiritual awakening and renewal, where God's Word is once again brought to the forefront of the community's life and practice. Historically, this event marks a significant turning point in the history of Judah, leading to a revival of faith and commitment to God's covenant. Persons / Places / Events 1. JosiahThe king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and led the people back to the worship of Yahweh. 2. House of the LORDThe temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. 3. People of Judah and JerusalemThe inhabitants of the southern kingdom of Judah, including the capital city, Jerusalem. 4. Priests and ProphetsReligious leaders responsible for guiding the spiritual life of the people. 5. Book of the CovenantThe rediscovered scroll, likely a part of Deuteronomy, which contained God's laws and commandments. Teaching Points The Importance of God's WordJosiah's reading of the Book of the Covenant highlights the centrality of Scripture in guiding the life and faith of God's people. We should prioritize regular engagement with the Bible in our personal and communal lives. Leadership in Spiritual RenewalJosiah's leadership demonstrates the impact a committed leader can have on spiritual revival. Leaders today should model a commitment to God's word and encourage others to follow suit. Community InvolvementThe inclusion of all people, from the least to the greatest, underscores the communal nature of faith. Spiritual growth and renewal are not just individual pursuits but involve the entire community. Rediscovery and ReformationThe rediscovery of the Book of the Covenant led to significant reforms. This teaches us the value of returning to foundational truths and allowing them to transform our lives and communities. Obedience to God's CommandsThe reading of the law was not just for knowledge but for obedience. We are called to not only hear God's word but to live it out in our daily lives. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Josiah's response to the Book of the Covenant challenge us to prioritize Scripture in our own lives? 2. In what ways can we, like Josiah, lead others towards a deeper commitment to God's word? 3. How does the communal aspect of this event in 2 Kings 23:2 inform our understanding of the church's role in spiritual growth? 4. What parallels can we draw between Josiah's reforms and the spiritual reformation needed in our own communities today? 5. How can we ensure that our engagement with Scripture leads to practical obedience and transformation in our lives? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 31:10-13This passage describes the command to read the law to all Israel every seven years, emphasizing the importance of hearing and understanding God's word. Nehemiah 8:1-8Similar to Josiah's actions, Ezra reads the Law to the people, leading to a revival and renewed commitment to God's commandments. 2 Chronicles 34:29-31A parallel account of Josiah's reforms, providing additional details about the covenant renewal. 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 Book, Covenant, Ears, Greatest, Hearing, Inhabitants, Jerusalem, Judah, Law, Least, Present, Priests, Prophets, Readeth, Reading, TempleDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 23:2 1611 Scripture, inspiration and authority
5175 reading
5393 literacy 2 Kings 23:1-3 4963 past, the
8225 devotion 2 Kings 23:1-4 8151 revival, corporate 2 Kings 23:1-7 6735 repentance, examples 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 23:2-3 1630 Book of the Covenant 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 23:2 NIV2 Kings 23:2 NLT2 Kings 23:2 ESV2 Kings 23:2 NASB2 Kings 23:2 KJV
2 Kings 23:2 Commentaries
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