Question 1

Who was King Josiah and what kind of king was he?

Accepted Answer

Josiah became king of Judah when he was only eight years old and reigned for thirty‑one years in Jerusalem. The passage describes him as doing what was right in the Lord’s sight and walking in the ways of his ancestor David. As he grew older, he began to seek God seriously, removed idols from the land, repaired the temple, and led the people back to God’s covenant. He is shown as a king with a tender heart, who humbled himself when he heard God’s word and tried to lead the nation in obedience.

Question 2

What is the significance of Josiah tearing his clothes when the law was read?

Accepted Answer

When the book of the law was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes as a sign of deep grief and alarm. As he heard what God required and the curses written for disobedience, he realized that their fathers had not kept God’s word and that God’s anger was on the nation. Tearing his clothes showed that he did not take this lightly. It was an outward sign of an inward broken and humble heart, which God later mentions when promising Josiah mercy before judgment comes on the land.

Question 3

Why did Josiah destroy high places, idols, and the bones of false priests?

Accepted Answer

Josiah destroyed high places, groves, carved and molten images because they were centers of idol worship that turned people from the Lord. He did it thoroughly, breaking them to pieces and grinding them to dust so they could not easily be used again. Burning the bones of the priests on their altars was a strong sign that this worship was rejected and under God’s judgment. All of this showed that true turning to God meant removing what dishonored him, not just in Judah but in the wider land of Israel where these things stood.

Question 4

What was the book of the law that Hilkiah found in the temple?

Accepted Answer

The passage calls it “the book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.” It was a written record of God’s commands and covenant, kept in the temple but neglected over time. During the temple repairs, Hilkiah the high priest found it and gave it to Shaphan, who read it to the king. Its words exposed how far the people had drifted from God’s commands and stirred Josiah to repentance, prayer, and reform. The story shows how powerful God’s written word is when it is heard and taken seriously, even after being forgotten.

Question 5

Who was Huldah the prophetess and what message did she give?

Accepted Answer

Huldah was a prophetess living in Jerusalem, the wife of Shallum, who kept the wardrobe. When Josiah sent Hilkiah and others to ask the Lord about the words of the book, they went to her. She gave a clear message from God: judgment and the curses written in the book would come on that place because the people had forsaken the Lord and burned incense to other gods. But she also told them that because Josiah’s heart was tender and he humbled himself, he would be gathered to his grave in peace and would not see the coming disaster.

Question 6

Why did Josiah gather all the people and make a covenant before the Lord?

Accepted Answer

After hearing God’s message, Josiah did not keep it private. He gathered the elders, priests, Levites, and all the people, great and small, and went to the house of the Lord. There he read all the words of the book of the covenant to them. Then he stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord to walk after him and keep his commandments with all his heart and soul. He also caused all in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. This shows that real repentance leads to public obedience and a shared commitment to follow God’s word.

Question 7

What does this passage teach about God’s response to humility and repentance?

Accepted Answer

In this passage God does not ignore the nation’s long history of idolatry. Through Huldah, he says his wrath will be poured out and will not be quenched. At the same time, he notices Josiah’s personal response. God says Josiah’s heart was tender, that he humbled himself, tore his clothes, and wept when he heard God’s words. Because of this, God promises Josiah that he will die in peace and not see the coming evil. This shows that even when judgment is set, God hears and honors genuine humility and a broken heart before him.

Question 8

How can Josiah’s reforms and covenant renewal apply to believers today?

Accepted Answer

This passage shows a pattern that still speaks today. First, Josiah sought God personally. Then, when confronted with God’s word, he let it search him, leading to sorrow over sin. Next, he acted by removing what drew people away from God and restoring right worship. Finally, he shared God’s word with others and led them to commit themselves to obey it. For believers now, this encourages serious attention to Scripture, honest repentance, removing modern forms of idolatry, caring about gathered worship, and helping families and churches renew their commitment to walk with God.

Question 9

What was happening in Judah when Josiah began these reforms?

Accepted Answer

Josiah followed several kings who had brought idol worship and neglect of God’s ways into Judah. High places, Baal altars, groves, and images filled the land, and even the temple had been damaged by earlier kings. God’s law had been set aside and was not guiding the nation. Into this situation, Josiah started to seek the God of David while still young. Over the years, he moved from personal seeking, to tearing down idols, to repairing the temple, to responding to the rediscovered law, and finally to leading a national covenant renewal before the Lord.

2 Chronicles 34:1

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

Josiah Reigns in Judah

Josiah Destroys Idolatry

Josiah Repairs the Temple

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

Huldah’s Prophecy

Josiah Renews the Covenant

Josiah Reigns in Judah

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2 Chronicles 34:1

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

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Josiah Reigns in Judah

Josiah Destroys Idolatry

Josiah Repairs the Temple

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

Huldah’s Prophecy

Josiah Renews the Covenant

Josiah Reigns in Judah

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