And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord ,.... Committed idolatry: according to all that his fathers had done ; his grand father and great grandfather, Amon and Manasseh; so soon after Josiah's death was the revolt to idolatry. read more
JOSIAH 'S RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT . HIS REFORMS AND DEATH . REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ . ACCESSION OF JEHOIAKIM . read more
Lamentable unskillfulness and incorrigibility. "Notwithstanding the Lord," etc. This short fragment of Jewish history reflects great disgrace on human nature, and may well humble us in the dust. It brings into prominence at least two subjects suggestive of solemn and practical thought. I. THE WORTHLESSNESS OF UNWISELY DIRECTED EFFORTS TO BENEFIT MEN , HOWEVER WELL INTENDED . Josiah, it seems from the narrative, was one of the best of Israel's kings. "Like unto him... read more
Pharaoh-Nechoh and the Jewish kings. A new power had risen in Egypt which was to play a temporary, but influential, part in the evolution of God's purposes towards Judah. Assyria was at this time in its death-agonies. The scepter of empire was soon to pass to Babylon. But it was Pharaoh-Nechoh who, following the designs of his own ambition, was to set in motion a train of events which had the effect of bringing Judah within the power of the King of Babylon. I. THE DEATH OF JOSIAH ... read more
SHORT REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ . Pharaoh-Nechoh, having defeated Josiah, left Jerusalem and Judaea behind him, while he pressed forward on his original enterprise (see 2 Kings 23:29 ) into Northern Syria and the district about Carehemish, or the tract north-east of Aleppo. It was three months before he had completed his conquests in these quarters, and, having arranged matters to his satisfaction, set out on his return to Egypt. During these three months Jehoahaz bore rule at Jerusalem ( 2... read more
And he did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (see the comment on 2 Kings 23:31-33 ). Josephus says that he was ἀσεβὴς καὶ μιαρὸς τὸν τρόπον ( l. s. c. )—"irreligious and of impure habits." Ezekiel ( Ezekiel 19:3 ) seems to call him a persecutor. According to all that his fathers had done. As idolatry was the chief sin of his "fathers," Jehoahaz must have been an idolater. read more
2 Kings 23:32. He did evil, according to all that his fathers had done That is, his grand-parents, Manasseh and Amon. He restored that idolatry which his father had destroyed. Jerusalem saw not a good day after Josiah was laid in his grave; but one trouble came after another, till, within two and twenty years, it was destroyed. read more
End of Judah’s independence (23:31-37)Pharaoh Necho now considered himself to be the controller of Judah, and would not accept the king chosen by the people of Judah. The unfortunate Jehoahaz was thrown into prison and later taken to Egypt, where he eventually died. Necho made Jehoahaz’s older brother Jehoiakim king instead, and placed a heavy tax on Judah (31-37).It soon became clear why the people of Judah had not chosen Jehoiakim as king. He was a proud, cruel and oppressive ruler, who... read more
evil. Hebrew. raa'. App-44 . read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 23:31-37
Jerusalem saw not a good day after Josiah was laid in his grave, but one trouble came after another, till within twenty-two years it was quite destroyed. Of the reign of two of his sons here is a short account; the former we find here a prisoner and the latter a tributary to the king of Egypt, and both so in the very beginning of their reign. This king of Egypt having slain Josiah, though he had not had any design upon Judah, yet, being provoked by the opposition which Josiah gave him, now, it... read more