2 Kings 23:20

On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

Study Bible

Then Josiah
The name "Josiah" means "Yahweh supports" or "Yahweh heals." Josiah was one of the few kings of Judah who was wholly committed to following the Lord. His reign marked a significant religious reform in Judah, as he sought to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry. His actions were in line with the covenantal expectations of a king who was to lead the people in faithfulness to God.

slaughtered on the altars
The Hebrew word for "slaughtered" is "zabach," which often refers to the act of sacrificing or killing in a ritualistic context. In this passage, it indicates a decisive and violent action against the idolatrous priests. The altars were places of worship, often dedicated to false gods, and Josiah's actions were a direct assault on these pagan practices, symbolizing the eradication of idolatry from the land.

all the priests of the high places
The "high places" were local shrines or worship sites that often became centers of idolatrous practices. The priests serving at these sites were leading the people away from the worship of Yahweh. By targeting these priests, Josiah was addressing the root of the spiritual corruption in Judah, fulfilling the Deuteronomic law that prohibited worship at unauthorized sites (Deuteronomy 12:2-3).

and he burned human bones on them
Burning human bones on the altars was a desecration act, rendering the altars unclean and unusable for future worship. This act fulfilled the prophecy given in 1 Kings 13:2, where a man of God foretold that a king named Josiah would defile the altar at Bethel. It was a symbolic gesture of judgment against the false religious system that had taken hold in the land.

So he returned to Jerusalem
After completing his mission of purging the land of idolatry, Josiah returned to Jerusalem, the political and spiritual center of Judah. This return signifies a restoration of proper worship and governance under the covenant with Yahweh. Jerusalem, as the city of David, was to be the focal point of true worship, and Josiah's reforms were aimed at reestablishing this centrality.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Josiah
The King of Judah who initiated significant religious reforms to restore the worship of Yahweh and eliminate idolatry from the land.

2. Priests of the High Places
These were priests who served at unauthorized worship sites, often associated with idolatry and pagan practices.

3. Altars
Structures used for offering sacrifices, which in this context were associated with idolatrous worship.

4. High Places
Elevated sites where unauthorized worship and sacrifices to foreign gods were conducted.

5. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where Josiah returned after his reforms, symbolizing the centralization of worship in the temple.

Teaching Points

Zeal for Purity in Worship
Josiah's actions demonstrate a commitment to purifying worship practices, emphasizing the importance of aligning worship with God's commands.

Courage in Leadership
Josiah's reforms required boldness and decisiveness, illustrating the need for courage in leading others toward righteousness.

Fulfillment of Prophecy
Josiah's actions fulfilled earlier prophecies, reminding us of God's sovereignty and the reliability of His word.

Repentance and Renewal
The removal of idolatrous practices signifies the importance of repentance and the renewal of one's commitment to God.

Centrality of Scripture
Josiah's reforms were driven by the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, highlighting the transformative power of Scripture in guiding our lives.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does Josiah's zeal for purifying worship challenge our own approach to worship today?

2. In what ways can we demonstrate courage in our faith, similar to Josiah's leadership?

3. How does the fulfillment of prophecy in Josiah's actions strengthen our trust in God's promises?

4. What idols or high places might we need to remove from our own lives to fully commit to God?

5. How can we ensure that Scripture remains central in guiding our decisions and actions, as it did for Josiah?

Connections to Other Scriptures

2 Kings 22
Provides context for Josiah's reforms, including the discovery of the Book of the Law, which prompted his actions.

Deuteronomy 12
Discusses the centralization of worship and the prohibition of high places, which Josiah sought to enforce.

1 Kings 13
Prophesies the actions of a king named Josiah, who would defile the altars at Bethel, connecting to his fulfillment of prophecy.

2 Chronicles 34-35
Offers a parallel account of Josiah's reforms and the Passover celebration he reinstated.

Jeremiah 1
Jeremiah's ministry began during Josiah's reign, providing a prophetic backdrop to the reforms.