2 Kings 23:3

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-3

Josiah had received a message from God that there was no preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should deliver only his own soul; yet he did not therefore sit down in despair, and resolve to do nothing for his country because he could not do all he would. No, he would do his duty, and then leave the event to God. A public reformation was the thing resolved on; if any thing could prevent the threatened ruin it must be that; and here we have the preparations for that reformation. 1. He... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 2 Kings 23:3

And the king stood by a pillar ,.... As the manner of kings was, 2 Kings 11:14 and is thought to be the brasen scaffold erected by Solomon, on which he stood at the dedication of the temple, and now Josiah at the reading of the law, 2 Chronicles 6:13 , it is said to be his place, 2 Chronicles 34:31 ; see Gill on 2 Kings 11:14 . and made a covenant before the Lord : agreed and promised in the presence of God, both he and his people: to walk after the Lord : the worship of the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 2 Kings 23:3

Stood by a pillar - He stood, העמוד על al haammud , "upon the stairs or pulpit." This is what is called the brazen scaffold or pulpit which Solomon made, and on which the kings were accustomed to stand when they addressed the people. See 2 Chronicles 6:13 , and the parallel places. Made a covenant - This was expressed, In general. To walk after Jehovah; to have no gods besides him. To take his law for the regulation of their conduct. In particular. To bend their... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-3

Josiah ' s renewal of the covenant . The first care of Josiah, on receiving Huldah's message, which stamped the book found as the true "book of the covenant," was to call together a great assembly of the nation, which should be sufficiently representative of it, and renew the covenant between God and his people made originally at Horeb ( Exodus 19:5-8 ; Exodus 24:3-8 ), which it was apparent, by the words of the book, that he and his people had broken. His proceedings may be fitly... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-3

Standing to the covenant. With a heart stirred up to intense zeal for God by the words which he had heard read out of the newly found book—the precious "book of the Law," thrust into temporary oblivion by his wicked grandfather and father—Josiah felt that a greet act of national repentance and national profession of faith was called for; and summoning "the men of Judah" by their representatives, and all the whole mass of the people of Jerusalem, he proceeded to call upon them to "stand to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-14

Josiah's great reformation. The narrative of Josiah's reforms contained in this chapter incorporates several particulars which, if the Book of Chronicles is to be regarded as giving the true chronology, belong to an earlier period. It is next to incredible that, after Jehovah's worship had been regularly established, such scandals as the prostitution alluded to in 2 Kings 23:7 , and the horses and chariots of the sun in 2 Kings 23:11 , should have Been allowed to continue. The narrative... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-25

Good aims and bad methods. "And the king sent," etc. Did the world ever contain a people more morally corrupt than that of the Jews? When we mark them journeying in the wilderness forty years, a more murmuring, disorderly, rebellious set of men where else could we discover? When settled in Palestine, a "land flowing with milk and honey" we find them committing every crime of which humanity is capable—adulteries, suicides, murders, ruthless wars, gross idolatries, their priests impostors,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:1-37

JOSIAH 'S RENEWAL OF THE COVENANT . HIS REFORMS AND DEATH . REIGN OF JEHOAHAZ . ACCESSION OF JEHOIAKIM . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 2 Kings 23:3

And the king stood by a pillar — עַל צָעַמּוֹד is not "by the pillar," but (as in 2 Kings 11:14 ) "on the platform" (see the comment on that place)— and made a covenant before the Lord ; literally, made the covenant (as in 2 Kings 11:17 ); i.e. made, or renewed, the old covenant with God ( Exodus 24:5-8 ), which had been broken by the complete neglect of the Law, and the manifold idolatries of Manasseh and Amon. He renewed this covenant "before the Lord," i.e. from his... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 2 Kings 23:3

By a pillar - Rather, “upon the pillar” (see 2 Kings 11:14, note).Made a covenant - “The covenant.” Josiah renewed the old covenant made between God and His people in Horeb Deuteronomy 5:2, so far at least as such renewal was possible by the mere act of an individual. He bound himself by a solemn promise to the faithful performance of the entire Law.With all their heart - “Their” rather than “his,” because the king was considered as pledging the whole nation to obedience with himself. He and... read more

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