Have you ever wondered who was King Josiah in the Bible? - The Boy King Who Reformed a Nation. He became king when he was only eight years old and grew up to be one of Judah's most faithful rulers. Despite his youth, he led his nation in returning to God after years of terrible idol worship.

Don't Forget to Remember

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The Complete Illustrated Children's Bible (The Complete Illustrated Children’s Bible Library)

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Josiah's story shows us that age doesn't limit what God can do through someone with a willing heart. His determination to follow God's law completely changed his nation, even though he ruled during a difficult time when many had forgotten the true God of Israel.

Who Was King Josiah in the Bible?

Chapter 1: A Child on the Throne

Josiah's story begins in a very dark time for God's people. His grandfather Manasseh and his father Amon had been two of the most wicked kings in Judah's history. They led the nation deep into idol worship, even placing false gods in God's holy temple!

When Josiah was only eight years old, something terrible happened. His own father, King Amon, was assassinated by his officials. Suddenly, this young boy was crowned king of Judah. The Bible tells us: "Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years" (2 Kings 22:1).

Most children that age are just learning to take responsibility for simple chores, but Josiah had to lead an entire nation! You might expect that a child king would be easily influenced by corrupt advisors, but Josiah was different. Even at this young age, he showed remarkable wisdom and character.

The Bible gives us this amazing description: "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left" (2 Kings 22:2). While his own father and grandfather had done terrible evil, Josiah chose to follow the example of King David, who had lived hundreds of years earlier.

Chapter 2: A Heart That Sought God

As Josiah grew older, his commitment to God only deepened. When he was sixteen, the Bible says, "In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David" (2 Chronicles 34:3).

Think about that—as a teenager, when many young people are mostly concerned with friends and fun, Josiah was actively seeking God. This wasn't just following religious traditions; he was personally pursuing a relationship with the Lord.

By age twenty, Josiah began taking bold action. "In the twelfth year of his reign, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles and idols" (2 Chronicles 34:3). This young king started removing all the false gods and idols that had filled his kingdom. He didn't just do this in Jerusalem; he traveled throughout his nation to lead a spiritual cleansing.

The Bible describes his thorough efforts: "They tore down the altars of the Baals in his presence; he cut down the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles and the idols…and he scattered the dust over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them" (2 Chronicles 34:4-5).

This was dangerous and difficult work. Many people had grown used to worshiping these false gods. But Josiah was determined to honor the one true God, no matter what others thought or did.

Chapter 3: Discovering the Book of the Law

When Josiah was twenty-six, he undertook another important project: repairing God's temple, which had been neglected and damaged during the years of idol worship. He sent his secretary Shaphan and others to oversee the renovation work.

During this renovation, something extraordinary happened. The high priest Hilkiah made an unexpected discovery: "I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD" (2 Kings 22:8). This was God's written law—probably the book of Deuteronomy or perhaps the entire Torah (the first five books of the Bible). It had been lost for decades during the years of idol worship!

When Shaphan brought this scroll to King Josiah and read it to him, the young king had a powerful reaction: "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes" (2 Kings 22:11). Tearing clothes was a sign of deep distress in biblical times.

Josiah was devastated to realize how far his nation had strayed from God's commands. He immediately sent his officials to inquire of the Lord: "Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book" (2 Kings 22:13).

The officials consulted the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed that God would indeed bring judgment on Judah for abandoning His laws. However, she delivered a special message for Josiah: "Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD… and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place" (2 Kings 22:19-20).

God recognized Josiah's sincere repentance and promised that the coming judgment would not happen during his lifetime.

Chapter 4: The Great Reformation

After hearing God's word, Josiah didn't waste any time. He gathered all the people, from the highest officials to the ordinary citizens, at the temple. There, he personally read the entire Book of the Covenant to them.

Standing by a pillar, Josiah made a public commitment: "The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book" (2 Chronicles 34:31).

The people joined in this covenant, agreeing to follow God faithfully. Then Josiah led the most thorough religious reform in Judah's history:

• He removed all remaining idols and altars from the temple
• He destroyed the houses of male shrine prostitutes
• He tore down altars to false gods throughout the land
• He desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, where children had been sacrificed to the god Molek
• He removed the horses and chariots dedicated to the sun
• He even traveled north to Bethel to destroy the altar Jeroboam had built centuries earlier

Josiah's most significant act was restoring the Passover celebration. This special feast, commemorating God's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, had been neglected for generations. The Bible records: "Not since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, had any such Passover been observed" (2 Kings 23:22).

This young king had sparked a nationwide spiritual revival. The Bible gives him this extraordinary praise: "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses" (2 Kings 23:25).

Chapter 5: Josiah's Final Battle

Sadly, Josiah's story doesn't have a happy ending. When he was thirty-nine years old, Pharaoh Necho of Egypt marched north to help Assyria fight against Babylon. The Egyptian army had to pass through Judah's territory.

Though Pharaoh Necho sent messengers assuring Josiah he had no quarrel with Judah, Josiah decided to oppose the Egyptian forces. The Bible doesn't tell us exactly why, but perhaps Josiah was trying to show loyalty to Babylon or believed God would give him victory.

At Megiddo, the armies met in battle. Despite disguising himself, Josiah was struck by Egyptian archers. "I am badly wounded," he told his officers. "Take me away" (2 Chronicles 35:23).

They carried him back to Jerusalem, where he died from his wounds. The Bible records the nation's deep mourning: "Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the male and female singers commemorate Josiah in the laments… They became a tradition in Israel" (2 Chronicles 35:25).

Though Josiah died younger than he should have, his legacy lived on. He had turned his people back to God and preserved God's word for future generations. Most importantly, he had shown that even a child can lead with wisdom when their heart truly belongs to God.

What Can We Learn About King Josiah?

1. Age is no barrier to serving God - Josiah began seeking God as a teenager and making major reforms by age twenty. God can use young people who are dedicated to Him, as noted by truewaykids.com.
2. True reform starts with God's Word - Everything changed when Josiah discovered and obeyed the Book of the Law. Spiritual renewal always comes from returning to God's truth. According to teachusthebible.com, this discovery transformed the entire nation.
3. Leadership requires courage - Josiah didn't just privately worship God; he boldly removed idols throughout his kingdom even when it was unpopular. True leadership means doing what's right regardless of opposition.
4. One faithful person can make a difference - Despite coming from a line of wicked kings and governing people who had strayed far from God, Josiah's faithfulness brought nationwide revival. God can use one dedicated person to impact many.
5. God notices a responsive heart - The prophetess Huldah delivered God's message that He had seen Josiah's tears and humility. God is moved by genuine repentance and a tender heart toward His word. Learnthebible.org notes how God had foretold Josiah's birth hundreds of years earlier, showing his special place in God's plan.

FAQ About King Josiah

How old was Josiah when he became king?

Josiah was only eight years old when he became king of Judah after the assassination of his father, King Amon. Despite his young age, the Bible records that he "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD" (2 Kings 22:2). He began seeking God when he was sixteen and started removing idols throughout the land when he was twenty. His story shows that God can work through people of any age who have willing hearts.

What did King Josiah find in the temple?

During temple renovations in the eighteenth year of his reign, the high priest Hilkiah discovered "the Book of the Law" (2 Kings 22:8), which had been lost during years of idol worship. This was likely the book of Deuteronomy or possibly the entire Torah (first five books of the Bible). When Josiah heard the words of this book, he tore his robes in distress upon realizing how far Judah had strayed from God's commands. This discovery prompted Josiah's most significant religious reforms.

Why is King Josiah important in the Bible?

King Josiah stands out as one of Judah's most righteous kings. The Bible states, "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength" (2 Kings 23:25). His importance lies in his comprehensive religious reforms, restoration of true worship, celebration of Passover, and preservation of God's Word during a dark period in Judah's history. Despite being preceded by wicked kings, Josiah demonstrated that one person's faithfulness can transform a nation.

How did Josiah die in the Bible?

Josiah died in battle at age thirty-nine. When Pharaoh Necho of Egypt was passing through Judah's territory to help Assyria fight Babylon, Josiah decided to oppose the Egyptian forces at Megiddo, despite Pharaoh's assurances he had no quarrel with Judah. During the battle, Egyptian archers wounded Josiah. His officers took him back to Jerusalem, where he died of his wounds. The nation deeply mourned his death, and the prophet Jeremiah composed special laments for him (2 Chronicles 35:20-25).

Would you like to learn about another remarkable young leader in the Bible? Check out "Who was Daniel in the Bible?" to discover the story of a young man who remained faithful to God even while serving in a foreign king's court and faced lions and fiery furnaces because of his unwavering faith!