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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:1-7

Concerning Josiah we are here told, 1. That he came to the crown when he was very young, only eight years old (yet his infancy did not debar him from his right), and he reigned thirty-one years (2 Chron. 34:1), a considerable time. I fear, however, that in the beginning of his reign things went much as they had done in his father's time, because, being a child, he must have left the management of them to others; so that it was not till his twelfth year, which goes far in the number of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:4

And they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence ,.... He not only ordered them to be broke down, but he went in person, and saw it done; these were the altars Manasseh had reared up to the idols; and though upon his humiliation he cast them out, they were rebuilt by Amon his son, see 2 Chronicles 33:3 , and the images that were above them he cut down ; sun images, as the word signifies; these Chamanim might be representatives of Cham or Ham, the son of Noah, the same with... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:5

And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars ,.... On which they sacrificed, in detestation of their idolatry, and to deter from it; and this he did according to the prophecy of him, above three hundred and fifty years before: and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem ; from idolatry, and all the monuments of it. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 34:4

The altars of Baalim - How often have these been broken down, and how soon set up again! We see that the religion of a land is as the religion of its king. If the king were idolatrous, up went the altars, on them were placed the statues, and the smoke of incense ascended in ceaseless clouds to the honor of that which is vanity, and nothing to the world; on the other hand, when the king was truly religious, down went the idolatrous altars, broken in pieces were the images, and the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 34:5

He burnt the bones of the priests - כומריא kumeraiya , the kemarim , says the Targum. See this word explained, 2 Kings 23:5 ; (note). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:1-7

Josiah the good. I. HIS EARLY ACCESSION . "Josiah ['Whom Jehovah heals'] was eight years old when he began to reign" ( 2 Chronicles 34:1 ). Manasseh, Uzziah, and Joash had been twelve, sixteen, and seven respectively when they ascended the throne. Generally speaking, it is perilous to have greatness thrust upon one at too early an age; sometimes premature responsibility calls forth capacities that might otherwise have continued latent. Edward VI ; who assumed the crown of England... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:1-33

The reign of Josiah-its unexpected boon, in a republication of revealed religion, with the legitimate and happy results following thereupon. In the reign and person of Josiah, once more and for the last time in the now numbered years of the kingdom of Judah, the light of piety and "goodness" flickered up in the socket. His reign began when his yearn numbered but eight; it lasted thirty-one years. Four reigns succeeded his to the date of the destruction of Jerusalem, but the four together... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:4

Note references in Le 2 Chronicles 26:1 , 30. The images , that were on high above them; i.e; as Revised Version, the sun - images ( הַחַמָּנִים ). The word and name occur only eight times—in Leviticus as just quoted; in our Second Book of Chronicles three times; in Isaiah twice; and in Ezekiel twice. The groves ; i.e. the Asherim; again as last verse. The carved images ; Revised Version, graven images; Hebrew, הַפְסִלִים . This word is found twenty-two times,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:5

Note herein the striking fulfilment of 1 Kings 13:1-3 , of which our parallel ( 2 Kings 23:12-14 , 2 Kings 23:16-20 ) gives a more detailed account, especially as regards Israel, though not failing to recognize Judah and Jerusalem's share in the need of purgation and punishment. read more

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