John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:1-2
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign ,.... Of these two verses; see Gill on 2 Kings 22:1 ; see Gill on 2 Kings 22:2 . read more
2 Chronicles 34:2-3 Nlt
John Gill
John Gill
John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young ,.... Being in the sixteenth year of his age; though Kimchi thinks it was the very year he began to reign, which was the eighth of his age; and Jarchi observes, it may be interpreted, "though he was young, he began to seek after the God of David his father"; to pray unto him, to seek after the knowledge of him, and the true manner of worshipping him, what were his will, commands, and ordinances; the Targum is,"to seek instruction or... read more
Adam Clarke
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Chronicles 34:2
He declined neither to the right hand , nor to the left - He never swerved from God and truth; he never omitted what he knew to be his duty to God and his kingdom; he carried on his reformation with a steady hand; timidity did not prevent him from going far enough; and zeal did not lead him beyond due bounds. He walked in the golden mean, and his moderation was known unto all men. He went neither to the right nor to the left, he looked inward, looked forward, and looked... 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 34:3
This, with the following four verses, forms the commentary on the statement of 2 Chronicles 34:2 , that Josiah "declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left." We cannot mistake the allusion in this verse to his personal religion at, say, sixteen years of age, as the foundation of his religious reign and of the practical devotion to reformation, instanced as commencing with his twentieth year. It may be here noted that the Prophet Jeremiah was called to his work in the year following... read more
Spence, H. D. M., etc.
The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Chronicles 34:3
(first part). Piety in youth. That Josiah "while he was yet young … began to seek after the God of David his father" is to us an interesting fact; it provides an example to the young and an incentive to those who have charge of their welfare. Respecting piety in youth it is well to consider— I. HOW MUCH THERE IS TO COMMEND IT . 1 . All life belongs to God, and therefore this part of it. Unto him who gave us our existence and all our powers, and in whom we live... read more
Albert Barnes
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Chronicles 34:3
He began to purge Judah - Jeremiah’s first prophecies Jer. 2–3 appear to have been coincident with Josiah’s earlier efforts to uproot idolatry, and must have greatly strengthened his hands. read more
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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