Then the king sent and gathered ,.... From hence, to the end of 2 Chronicles 34:32 , the same account is given of the reading of the law to the people, and of the covenant the king and they made to serve the Lord, as in 2 Kings 23:1 . read more
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel ,.... All their idols, as related in 2 Kings 23:4 , &c.; and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God ; by his edicts, and by his example: and all his days they departed not from following the Lord God of their fathers ; not publicly and universally; otherwise there were great declensions and corruptions among them, as the... read more
The king went - See on 2 Kings 23:1 ; (note). read more
Made a covenant - See on 2 Kings 23:3 ; (note). And see the notes on that and the preceding chapter, 2 Chronicles 33 (note), for the circumstances detailed here. read more
To stand to it - It is likely that he caused them all to arise when he read the terms of the covenant, and thus testify their approbation of the covenant itself, and their resolution to observe it faithfully and perseveringly. read more
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
The wise, religious, and unselfish conduct of the king is clearly betokened in the course he took, as narrated here and in the succeeding three verses. read more
Communication and continuance. Josiah's wise and devout concern, when he discovered the Word and knew more fully the will of God, was to communicate his own earnestness to others, and to secure for future years this new and good departure. He took the most natural and wise measures to attain his object. 1 . He summoned all the elders in particular and all the people who could meet together, and made known to them in its fulness the truth that had been revealed to himself ( 2... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:29-33
We have here an account of the further advances which Josiah made towards the reformation of his kingdom upon the hearing of the law read and the receipt of the message God sent him by the prophetess. Happy the people that had such a king; for here we find that, 1. They were well taught. He did not go about to force them to do their duty, till he had first instructed them in it. He called all the people together, great and small, young and old, rich and poor, high and low. He that hath ears to... read more