He (Hezekiah) was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi the daughter of Zechariah.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done (2 Kings 18:2-3).
Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hephzibah.
And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the abominable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel (2 Kings 21:1-2).
Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah.
And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as Manasseh his father had done (2 Kings 21:19-20).
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left (2 Kings 22:1-2).
| Name of King | Age | Duration | Mother | Judgment | Reference |
| Hezekiah | 25 | 29 | Abi | good | 18:2-3 |
| Manasseh | 12 | 55 | Hephzibah | evil | 21:1-2 |
| Amon | 22 | 2 | Meshullemeth | evil | 21:19-20 |
| Josiah | 8 | 31 | Jedidah | good | 22:1-2 |
The table above is a summary of the kings of Judah between Hezekiah and Josiah.
The lengthy reign of Manasseh did the greatest harm. He rebuilt the high places and Baal altars in the Temple to worship idols. He burnt his son as an offering and dealt with witches (2 Kings 21:3-7). The Law of God was never heard of for more than half a century!
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah decided to do maintenance work for the Jerusalem Temple. Hilkiah the high priest took this opportunity to offer the book of Law to the king.
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, "I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it (2 Kings 22:8).
Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.
And when the king heard the words of the book of the law, he rent his clothes (2 Kings 22:10-11).
Which book was it? Leviticus? Deuteronomy or the Torah?
It was unlikely to be the Torah which would only be finalized at the time of Ezra and it would take seven days to finish reading it all (Nehemiah 8:18). Therefore, what Josiah heard would only be a fragment of the Torah.
Why did Josiah react so violently in hearing the words of the book of the Law?
And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,
"Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us." (2 Kings 22:12-13)
At last, after ruling as a king for 18 years, Josiah discovered the cause of their troubles. It was the wrath of God which was aroused by their disobedience. Josiah would want to know whether the curses would come true, whether there was any means to neutralize the curses. Josiah sent his men to ask the advice from Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14). And here came the answer.
Their fate was sealed. God would surely bring evil to Judah and her people because they committed idolatry.
Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.
Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched (2 Kings 22:16-17).
As for the king, he would be spared the pains of seeing the evil because he had a penitent heart and humbled himself.
because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have rent your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place (2 Kings 22:19-20a)
After hearing this, Josiah decided to reform the religious life of the Jews. However, it was done too little, too late and collapsed at the wake of his untimely death.
Dear Lord, let us learn from the lessons of history. Let us not make the same mistakes again. Amen.
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