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
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
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
Judah's last national covenant. I. THE CIRCUMSTANCES . 1 . The time. 2 . The place. II. THE PARTIES . 1 . The king. As was most appropriate, Josiah led the way. Though sovereigns have no right under the gospel to enforce religion on their subjects, they may nevertheless, by means of personal example, persuade their subjects to embrace religion. 2 . The elders. These were the heads of the houses, and therefore the representatives of the inhabitants... read more
Some think the text hero corrupt, both for the presence of the words, and in Benjamin , and the absence of the words, "in the covenant." Their case, however, is scarcely conclusive (see 2 Kings 23:3 ). read more
And Benjamin - It is scarcely possible that the text here can be sound. “Benjamin” is never put in contrast with “Jerusalem,” but always with Judah. The reading may be corrected from the parallel passage 2 Kings 23:3; “And he caused all those that were present in Jerusalem to stand to the covenant.” read more
2 Chronicles 34:32-33. He caused all present to stand to it He caused them to engage by an oath or covenant, that they would observe the laws of God, as his predecessors had formerly done, and which indeed they were before obliged to do. The inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant, &c. They complied with God’s and the king’s command, as to the outward acts of God’s worship, though not with an upright and renewed heart, as appears by the history. To serve, even to serve... 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