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
The king went - See on 2 Kings 23:1 ; (note). 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
The Levites . The parallel mentions "prophets" and omits "Levites," which latter our compiler is safe not to forget. When it is said in this verse, he read, the meaning, of course, is "the priests" read ( Deuteronomy 31:9 ). read more
The value of the Bible. I. THE BIBLE LOST . An unspeakable calamity. 1 . To literature. Remark on the indebtedness of modern literature to the Bible. 2 . To religion. Without the support and quickening derived from Scripture religion would speedily become languid. 3 . To morality. Contrast in respect of morality countries possessing and countries lacking the Bible. II. THE BIBLE FOUND . A great mercy. More to be prized than the discovery of gold-mines,... read more
The writer has characteristically substituted “Levites” for the “prophets” of 2 Kings 23:2. No doubt Josiah was accompanied by priests, prophets, and Levites, but the writer of Kings thought it enough to mention the two former, and merged the Levites in the mass of the people. The writer of Chronicles, on the other hand, thinks the presence of Levites too important to he omitted, and as the prophets could be but few in number, passes them over. 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