Josiah - 31yrs Good (jul 1, 640 BC – jun 30, 609 BC)

Description:

2 Chron 34-35.
Josiah was a good king who set his heart to serve Yahweh from a young age.
He instituted the renovation of the Temple in which was found a copy of the 'book of the law' and was the catalyst for the massive passover feast Josiah instigated.
The problem was that the heart of the people had been irreversibly corrupted by the 50+yr wicked reign of Manasseh and they had grown comfortable in their own form of religion - claiming Yahweh as their God and trying to associate themselves with the Temple (which, with her priests and scribes had also corrupted) as their local 'talisman' as well as continuing in the ways of the gods of the nations around them.
Yahweh sent them Jeremiah the prophet to condemn their behaviour and desperately seek a change in behaviour, because if they didn't, they would fall victim to the Babylonians, and at best be taken captive.

Josiah had 4 sons: (1 Chron 3/15)
1. Johanan - King Jehoahaz. He possibly co reigned with Shallum (cp Jer 22/11)
2. Eliakim - King Jehoiakim
3. Mattaniah - King Zedekiah
4. Shallum - spoken of by Jer (22/11) possibly co-ruled with Jehoahaz.

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