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'''Josiah''' ([[Hebrew]] '''יֹאשִׁיָּהוּ''', "supported by [[YHWH]]", or [[Greece|Greek]] '''Ἰωσίας''') (649-r. 641-610 BC according to [[James Ussher|Ussher]],<ref name=Ussher>[[James Ussher]], ''[[The Annals of the World]]'', [[Larry Pierce]], ed., Green Forest, AR: Master Books, 2003 (ISBN 0890513600), pghh. 720, 728-9, 732, 737-8, 740-741, 743-44, 746, 750, 754-760</ref> or 648-r. 640-609 BC according to [[Edwin R. Thiele|Thiele]]<ref name=Wood>Leon J. Wood, ''A Survey of Israel's History'', rev. ed. David O'Brien, Grand Rapids, MI: Academie Books, 1986 (ISBN 031034770X), pp. 310-314</ref>) was the fifteenth king of the [[Southern Kingdom]] of [[Israel]] in direct line of descent.
== Significance ==
Some commentators suggest that Josiah, rather than [[David]], qualifies as the greatest of the kings of ancient [[Israel]].<ref name=XPollen>Anonymous, [http://www.accuros.com/thornbush/pollen/2ki23_25.htm The Greatest King of Israel], 1998. Retrieved April 9, 2007 from [http://www.accuros.com/thornbush/pollen/xpindex.htm Cross Pollen]</ref> He certainly stands as one of the greatest of Israel's kings and one of that society's two greatest reformers.<ref name=RightDo>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=2|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=WebBible>[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/josiah.html Josiah] at the [http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html WebBible Encyclopedia]</ref><ref name=Keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], [http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010422.htm Josiah's Reforms], Church of God Daily Bible Study. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Bratcher>Dennis Bratcher, [http://www.cresourcei.org/othbabylon.html The Rise of Babylon and Exile (640-538 BC)], 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007.</ref><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/josiah.htm Josiah King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Oxford>Marvin A. Sweeney, ''King Josiah of Judah: the Lost Messiah of Israel'', Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-19-513324-0 [http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/oso/public/content/religion/9780195133240/toc.html Online version] retrieved April 9, 2007.</ref><ref name=intouch>Jennifer Rosania, [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/josiah_36343731.html Josiah: Founded in Faithfulness, Mighty in Spirit], In-touch Ministries, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=JewishEn>Emil G. Hirsch and J. F. McLaughlin, [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=564&letter=J&search=Josiah Josiah], ''Jewish Encyclopedia'', 202. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Britannica>Anonymous, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044013/Josiah Josiah], ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael1>Anonymous, [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Josiah.html King Josiah - Biography], Kings of Israel. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael2>Anonymous, [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/judgment_Josiah.html God's Judgment Regarding King Josiah], Kings of Israel. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref> His reign is also significant for the beginning of the assembly of the [[Old Testament]]<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Kachelman>John L. Kachelman, Jr., [http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/John_L_Kachelman_Jr/kings-ot/josiah.htm Josiah: Serving God in Youth], ChristianLibrary.org, 1999. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Malick>[http://www.bible.org/author.php?author_id=8 David Malick], ''[http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=980 The Book of Josiah's Reform]'', Bible.org, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref> and for being king during a pivotal time in Middle Eastern history.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Oxford/><ref name=Bratcher/>
== Early Life and Family ==
Josiah was probably born in 649 BC, the son of [[Amon]] and Amon's wife [[Jedidah]]. He was six years old when his grandfather [[Manasseh King of Judah|Manasseh]] died. A mere two years later, he suddenly found himself king when his father was murdered by a palace conspiracy. The outraged people of the [[Southern Kingdom]] arrested and killed all the conspirators, and then crowned the eight-year-old Josiah king.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Keyway/><ref name=Accession>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=1|version=KJV}}</ref>
For the first eight years of his life, he seems to have followed the same idolatrous worship that his father followed. But at the age of sixteen, he had a change of heart: he began to seek after [[God]].<ref name=Convert>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=3|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Keyway/>
Also at sixteen, he married a woman named [[Pedaiah]] and by her had a son named [[Jehoiakim]], called ''Eliakim'' when he was born. Two years later (at eighteen), he married another woman, named [[Hamutal]], and by her had a son named [[Jehoahaz II|Jehoahaz]] (originally named ''Shallum''). He also had another son by this woman, named [[Zedekiah]] (or ''Mattaniah'' at his birth), when he, Josiah, was thirty-one years old.<ref name=Ussher/>
== Near Eastern politics ==
The political situation in the ancient Near East at the time was critical to Josiah's activities and the eventual fate of the [[Southern Kingdom]]. The [[Assyria]]n king [[Esarhaddon]] had died long ago, in 668 BC.<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 705</ref> Conventional Assyriologists<ref name=Wood/><ref name=Bratcher/> hold that [[Assur-bani-pal]] (or "Saosduchinos"), Esarhaddon's successor, was still on the throne at the time; Ussher<ref name=Ussher3>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 715</ref> states that his successor [[Ashur-etil-ilani]], called "Saraco" or "Saracen" or Kineladanos" by classical sources, had succeeded to the throne a year after Josiah was born. At least one other source says that Assur-bani-pal died at this time, and that near-chaos supervened.<ref name=Britannica/> Everyone seems to agree, however, that the empire of Assyria was far weaker than it once had been under men like Esarhaddon and his predecessors. [[Egypt]], under Pharaoh [[Psammtik I]], had broken away from Assyria, and [[Babylonia]] would soon see the rise of a new king ([[Nabopolassar]]) who would break it away and supplant Assyria as the dominant power in the region.
== Beginnings of reform ==
When Josiah was twenty years old (in the twelfth year of his reign), he began in ernest to reform the society of the Southern Kingdom. He started in [[Jerusalem]], systematically destroying all pagan images and altars of [[Baal]], all [[Asherah]] poles, and all the [[high place]]s that his grandfather had built up after [[Hezekiah]] had destroyed them. He made the most thorough desecration possible of the pagan icons and their followers:
# He ground the images (including engraved and cast images) to powder and strewed this powder on the graves of Baal worshippers.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=4|version=KJV}}</ref>
# He burned the bones of the priests of Baal on the very altars they had used.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=5|version=KJV}}</ref>
Nor did he stay within what was, strictly speaking, his home territory of [[Judah (tribe)|Judah]] and [[Benjamin (tribe)|Benjamin]]. In what some commentators suggest was part of a bid to regain control of the former territories of the [[Northern Kingdom]], he ventured into the old tribal territories of [[Ephraim (tribe)|Ephraim]], [[Manasseh (tribe)|Manasseh]], [[Simeon (tribe)|Simeon]], and [[Naphtali (tribe)|Naphtali]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=6|version=KJV}}</ref> The Assyrian king (whichever was on the throne at the time) was too weak to interfere.
In the thirteenth year of his reign, the [[prophet]] [[Jeremiah (prophet)|Jeremiah]] began his career, howbeit reluctantly.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=1|verses=1-17|version=KJV}}</ref> Baleful as Jeremiah's message was, Josiah never once molested Jeremiah in any way, shape or form. His sons would not be so forbearing.
== Political flux ==
In the sixteenth year of his reign came an event of which Josiah appears to have taken little notice at the time, though it would be relevant to the manner of his death. In that year, [[Nabopolassar]] contracted a military alliance with [[Astyages]] of the Medes. Together they attacked [[Nineveh]], the capital of [[Assyria]], and reduced it to a ruin. Nabopolassar was now in command, and [[Ashur-etil-ilani]] was now dead. His successor (likely [[Ashur-uballit II]]) commanded a shadow of what Assyria had recently been.<ref name=Ussher4>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 740</ref>
== The Finding of the Book of the Law ==
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah ordered the priest [[Hilkiah]] to begin yet another renovation of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]]. He sent the royal secretary, the royal recorder, and the mayor of Jerusalem to carry this order to Hilkiah and to give Hilkiah the money, which had been collected at the Temple door, for this purpose.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=7-13|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=3-7|version=KJV}}</ref>
In the course of clearing out a Temple storeroom, Hilkiah found a scroll.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=8|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=14-15|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=CCM/> The [[Bible]] calls this "the book of the Law as given by [[Moses]]." Most scholars theorize that this was the book of [[Deuteronomy]]<ref name=Kachelman/><ref name=Malick/>, but at least some hold that this book contained ''all five'' of the "Books of Moses"<ref name=Wood/><ref name=Malick/>. Still others state that even more books of the Old Testament were included in the find.<ref name=Oxford/>
Malick presents, and effectively refutes, the proposition that Hilkiah's finding was a "late edition" of Deuteronomy, mainly on the ground that Josiah must have had some education in the laws as stated in Deuteronomy during the first six years of his reform program. He therefore concludes that it was at least an early edition of Deuteronomy and might indeed have been the entirety of the [[Torah]].<ref name=Malick/> Wood<ref name=Wood/> theorizes that [[Solomon]] left this book in the Temple when he laid its cornerstones, and that this is why it survived the destruction, presumably by [[Manasseh King of Judah|Manasseh]], of all other copies.
Hilkiah gave this scroll to the royal secretary, who read it all the way through. He in turn requested an audience of the king. The scribe began by giving Josiah a progress report on the renovation. He then said, simply, "Hilkiah has given me a book," and proceeded to read it. Josiah seems to have listened, rapt, at the reading. When the reading was concluded, Josiah tore his royal robes. Evidently Josiah had not realized, until then, just how far the people of his kingdom had strayed from God's law.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=9-11|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=16-19|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah's first order was to inquire of a prophet as to the attitude of [[God]] toward his people. His scribe, the priest, and his other advisers found a [[prophet]]ess named [[Huldah]]. She gave a dire warning: that God would indeed bring a dire judgment on the land, on account of the apostasy, the killing of earlier prophets, and all the other many provocations that the people had given God. But because Josiah had expressed such deep sorrow, God granted to him that he would not live to see this calamity.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=12-20|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=20-29|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=CCM/>
== Continued Reforms ==
Josiah worked harder than ever at his reform program after that. First he called an assembly of the people and read the Book of the Law aloud to all of them.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=1-3|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=30-32|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=intouch/> Then he renewed his religious cleansing campaign.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=33|version=KJV}}</ref> At this time he fulfilled an earlier prophecy delivered to [[Jeroboam I]] concerning Jeroboam's golden-calf cult: that the bones of the priests who officiated at that altar would be burned upon it. He also found the bones of the prophet who had uttered that prophecy; those bones he left where they were.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=4-20,24-25|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Kachelman/>
He then reinstituted the [[Passover]], exactly as Hezekiah had done, except that Josiah was able to keep it in the appointed month.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=21-23|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=1-19|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=Bratcher/>
== Military tragedy and succession ==
In 610 BC, Pharaoh [[Necho II]] marched toward [[Carchemish]] in an effort to intervene against the rising empire of [[Babylonia]].<ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=Wikipedia>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah Josiah] by [[Wikipedia]]</ref> Or perhaps he was settling the old score that Egypt had ''against'' Assyria.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=WebBible/>
His march would carry him across the territory of the [[Southern Kingdom]].<ref name=Keyway/><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/> Josiah, for whatever reason, determined to oppose Necho. Necho sent ambassadors warning him that he was on an errand from [[God]] himself and that Josiah had no business interfering. Nevertheless Josiah joined battle with Necho at [[Megiddo]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=20-22|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah was seriously wounded by an arrow early in the battle.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=23|version=KJV}}</ref> Here the Biblical accounts differ. The author of the Kings books suggests that Josiah died instantly and was brought back dead to Jerusalem.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verse=29-30|version=KJV}}</ref> The Chronicler, on the other hand, stated in detail that Josiah was wounded, asked his charioteer to evacuate him, and was brought swiftly back to Jerusalem, where he ultimately died of his wounds.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=23-24|version=KJV}}</ref> Jeremiah composed a special lamentation for him.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Lamentations|chap=4|verses=20|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah's son Shallum, or Jehoahaz, succeeded him.
== References Cited ==
<references/>
== See Also ==
* [[Hezekiah]]
* [[Manasseh King of Judah]]
* [[Amon]]
* [[Jehoahaz II]]
* [[Esarhaddon]]
* [[Assur-bani-pal]]
* [[Ashur-etil-ilani]]
* [[Ashur-uballit II]]
* [[Nabopolassar]]
* [[Nebuchadnezzar II]]
* [[House of David]]
* [[Northern Kingdom]]
* [[Southern Kingdom]]
* [[Biblical chronology dispute]]
[[Category:Bible]]
[[Category:Bible character]]
[[Category:Biography]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:History]]
== Significance ==
Some commentators suggest that Josiah, rather than [[David]], qualifies as the greatest of the kings of ancient [[Israel]].<ref name=XPollen>Anonymous, [http://www.accuros.com/thornbush/pollen/2ki23_25.htm The Greatest King of Israel], 1998. Retrieved April 9, 2007 from [http://www.accuros.com/thornbush/pollen/xpindex.htm Cross Pollen]</ref> He certainly stands as one of the greatest of Israel's kings and one of that society's two greatest reformers.<ref name=RightDo>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=2|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=WebBible>[http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/josiah.html Josiah] at the [http://www.christiananswers.net/dictionary/home.html WebBible Encyclopedia]</ref><ref name=Keyway>[http://www.keyway.ca/htm2002/roadsign.htm Wayne Blank], [http://www.keyway.ca/htm2001/20010422.htm Josiah's Reforms], Church of God Daily Bible Study. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Bratcher>Dennis Bratcher, [http://www.cresourcei.org/othbabylon.html The Rise of Babylon and Exile (640-538 BC)], 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007.</ref><ref name=CCM>David Holt Boshert, Jr., and David Ettinger, [http://www.christcenteredmall.com/teachings/kings/josiah.htm Josiah King of Judah], Christ-Centered Mall. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Oxford>Marvin A. Sweeney, ''King Josiah of Judah: the Lost Messiah of Israel'', Oxford University Press, 2001. ISBN 978-0-19-513324-0 [http://www.oxfordscholarship.com/oso/public/content/religion/9780195133240/toc.html Online version] retrieved April 9, 2007.</ref><ref name=intouch>Jennifer Rosania, [http://www.intouch.org/myintouch/mighty/josiah_36343731.html Josiah: Founded in Faithfulness, Mighty in Spirit], In-touch Ministries, 2006. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=JewishEn>Emil G. Hirsch and J. F. McLaughlin, [http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=564&letter=J&search=Josiah Josiah], ''Jewish Encyclopedia'', 202. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Britannica>Anonymous, [http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9044013/Josiah Josiah], ''Encyclopedia Britannica'', 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael1>Anonymous, [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/biography_Josiah.html King Josiah - Biography], Kings of Israel. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael2>Anonymous, [http://www.geocities.com/thekingsofisrael/judgment_Josiah.html God's Judgment Regarding King Josiah], Kings of Israel. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref> His reign is also significant for the beginning of the assembly of the [[Old Testament]]<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Kachelman>John L. Kachelman, Jr., [http://www.christianlibrary.org/authors/John_L_Kachelman_Jr/kings-ot/josiah.htm Josiah: Serving God in Youth], ChristianLibrary.org, 1999. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref><ref name=Malick>[http://www.bible.org/author.php?author_id=8 David Malick], ''[http://www.bible.org/page.asp?page_id=980 The Book of Josiah's Reform]'', Bible.org, 2007. Retrieved April 9, 2007</ref> and for being king during a pivotal time in Middle Eastern history.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Oxford/><ref name=Bratcher/>
== Early Life and Family ==
Josiah was probably born in 649 BC, the son of [[Amon]] and Amon's wife [[Jedidah]]. He was six years old when his grandfather [[Manasseh King of Judah|Manasseh]] died. A mere two years later, he suddenly found himself king when his father was murdered by a palace conspiracy. The outraged people of the [[Southern Kingdom]] arrested and killed all the conspirators, and then crowned the eight-year-old Josiah king.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Keyway/><ref name=Accession>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=1|version=KJV}}</ref>
For the first eight years of his life, he seems to have followed the same idolatrous worship that his father followed. But at the age of sixteen, he had a change of heart: he began to seek after [[God]].<ref name=Convert>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=3|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Keyway/>
Also at sixteen, he married a woman named [[Pedaiah]] and by her had a son named [[Jehoiakim]], called ''Eliakim'' when he was born. Two years later (at eighteen), he married another woman, named [[Hamutal]], and by her had a son named [[Jehoahaz II|Jehoahaz]] (originally named ''Shallum''). He also had another son by this woman, named [[Zedekiah]] (or ''Mattaniah'' at his birth), when he, Josiah, was thirty-one years old.<ref name=Ussher/>
== Near Eastern politics ==
The political situation in the ancient Near East at the time was critical to Josiah's activities and the eventual fate of the [[Southern Kingdom]]. The [[Assyria]]n king [[Esarhaddon]] had died long ago, in 668 BC.<ref name=Ussher2>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 705</ref> Conventional Assyriologists<ref name=Wood/><ref name=Bratcher/> hold that [[Assur-bani-pal]] (or "Saosduchinos"), Esarhaddon's successor, was still on the throne at the time; Ussher<ref name=Ussher3>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 715</ref> states that his successor [[Ashur-etil-ilani]], called "Saraco" or "Saracen" or Kineladanos" by classical sources, had succeeded to the throne a year after Josiah was born. At least one other source says that Assur-bani-pal died at this time, and that near-chaos supervened.<ref name=Britannica/> Everyone seems to agree, however, that the empire of Assyria was far weaker than it once had been under men like Esarhaddon and his predecessors. [[Egypt]], under Pharaoh [[Psammtik I]], had broken away from Assyria, and [[Babylonia]] would soon see the rise of a new king ([[Nabopolassar]]) who would break it away and supplant Assyria as the dominant power in the region.
== Beginnings of reform ==
When Josiah was twenty years old (in the twelfth year of his reign), he began in ernest to reform the society of the Southern Kingdom. He started in [[Jerusalem]], systematically destroying all pagan images and altars of [[Baal]], all [[Asherah]] poles, and all the [[high place]]s that his grandfather had built up after [[Hezekiah]] had destroyed them. He made the most thorough desecration possible of the pagan icons and their followers:
# He ground the images (including engraved and cast images) to powder and strewed this powder on the graves of Baal worshippers.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=4|version=KJV}}</ref>
# He burned the bones of the priests of Baal on the very altars they had used.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=5|version=KJV}}</ref>
Nor did he stay within what was, strictly speaking, his home territory of [[Judah (tribe)|Judah]] and [[Benjamin (tribe)|Benjamin]]. In what some commentators suggest was part of a bid to regain control of the former territories of the [[Northern Kingdom]], he ventured into the old tribal territories of [[Ephraim (tribe)|Ephraim]], [[Manasseh (tribe)|Manasseh]], [[Simeon (tribe)|Simeon]], and [[Naphtali (tribe)|Naphtali]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=6|version=KJV}}</ref> The Assyrian king (whichever was on the throne at the time) was too weak to interfere.
In the thirteenth year of his reign, the [[prophet]] [[Jeremiah (prophet)|Jeremiah]] began his career, howbeit reluctantly.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Jeremiah|chap=1|verses=1-17|version=KJV}}</ref> Baleful as Jeremiah's message was, Josiah never once molested Jeremiah in any way, shape or form. His sons would not be so forbearing.
== Political flux ==
In the sixteenth year of his reign came an event of which Josiah appears to have taken little notice at the time, though it would be relevant to the manner of his death. In that year, [[Nabopolassar]] contracted a military alliance with [[Astyages]] of the Medes. Together they attacked [[Nineveh]], the capital of [[Assyria]], and reduced it to a ruin. Nabopolassar was now in command, and [[Ashur-etil-ilani]] was now dead. His successor (likely [[Ashur-uballit II]]) commanded a shadow of what Assyria had recently been.<ref name=Ussher4>Ussher, ''op. cit.'', pgh. 740</ref>
== The Finding of the Book of the Law ==
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah ordered the priest [[Hilkiah]] to begin yet another renovation of the [[Temple of Jerusalem]]. He sent the royal secretary, the royal recorder, and the mayor of Jerusalem to carry this order to Hilkiah and to give Hilkiah the money, which had been collected at the Temple door, for this purpose.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=7-13|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=3-7|version=KJV}}</ref>
In the course of clearing out a Temple storeroom, Hilkiah found a scroll.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=8|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=14-15|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=JewishEn/><ref name=CCM/> The [[Bible]] calls this "the book of the Law as given by [[Moses]]." Most scholars theorize that this was the book of [[Deuteronomy]]<ref name=Kachelman/><ref name=Malick/>, but at least some hold that this book contained ''all five'' of the "Books of Moses"<ref name=Wood/><ref name=Malick/>. Still others state that even more books of the Old Testament were included in the find.<ref name=Oxford/>
Malick presents, and effectively refutes, the proposition that Hilkiah's finding was a "late edition" of Deuteronomy, mainly on the ground that Josiah must have had some education in the laws as stated in Deuteronomy during the first six years of his reform program. He therefore concludes that it was at least an early edition of Deuteronomy and might indeed have been the entirety of the [[Torah]].<ref name=Malick/> Wood<ref name=Wood/> theorizes that [[Solomon]] left this book in the Temple when he laid its cornerstones, and that this is why it survived the destruction, presumably by [[Manasseh King of Judah|Manasseh]], of all other copies.
Hilkiah gave this scroll to the royal secretary, who read it all the way through. He in turn requested an audience of the king. The scribe began by giving Josiah a progress report on the renovation. He then said, simply, "Hilkiah has given me a book," and proceeded to read it. Josiah seems to have listened, rapt, at the reading. When the reading was concluded, Josiah tore his royal robes. Evidently Josiah had not realized, until then, just how far the people of his kingdom had strayed from God's law.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=9-11|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=16-19|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah's first order was to inquire of a prophet as to the attitude of [[God]] toward his people. His scribe, the priest, and his other advisers found a [[prophet]]ess named [[Huldah]]. She gave a dire warning: that God would indeed bring a dire judgment on the land, on account of the apostasy, the killing of earlier prophets, and all the other many provocations that the people had given God. But because Josiah had expressed such deep sorrow, God granted to him that he would not live to see this calamity.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=22|verses=12-20|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=20-29|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=CCM/>
== Continued Reforms ==
Josiah worked harder than ever at his reform program after that. First he called an assembly of the people and read the Book of the Law aloud to all of them.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=1-3|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=30-32|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=intouch/> Then he renewed his religious cleansing campaign.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=34|verses=33|version=KJV}}</ref> At this time he fulfilled an earlier prophecy delivered to [[Jeroboam I]] concerning Jeroboam's golden-calf cult: that the bones of the priests who officiated at that altar would be burned upon it. He also found the bones of the prophet who had uttered that prophecy; those bones he left where they were.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=4-20,24-25|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Kachelman/>
He then reinstituted the [[Passover]], exactly as Hezekiah had done, except that Josiah was able to keep it in the appointed month.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verses=21-23|version=KJV}}</ref><ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=1-19|version=KJV}}</ref><ref name=Bratcher/>
== Military tragedy and succession ==
In 610 BC, Pharaoh [[Necho II]] marched toward [[Carchemish]] in an effort to intervene against the rising empire of [[Babylonia]].<ref name=Bratcher/><ref name=Wood/><ref name=Britannica/><ref name=Wikipedia>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josiah Josiah] by [[Wikipedia]]</ref> Or perhaps he was settling the old score that Egypt had ''against'' Assyria.<ref name=Ussher/><ref name=WebBible/>
His march would carry him across the territory of the [[Southern Kingdom]].<ref name=Keyway/><ref name=KingsofIsrael1/> Josiah, for whatever reason, determined to oppose Necho. Necho sent ambassadors warning him that he was on an errand from [[God]] himself and that Josiah had no business interfering. Nevertheless Josiah joined battle with Necho at [[Megiddo]].<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=20-22|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah was seriously wounded by an arrow early in the battle.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=23|version=KJV}}</ref> Here the Biblical accounts differ. The author of the Kings books suggests that Josiah died instantly and was brought back dead to Jerusalem.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Kings|chap=23|verse=29-30|version=KJV}}</ref> The Chronicler, on the other hand, stated in detail that Josiah was wounded, asked his charioteer to evacuate him, and was brought swiftly back to Jerusalem, where he ultimately died of his wounds.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=II_Chronicles|chap=35|verses=23-24|version=KJV}}</ref> Jeremiah composed a special lamentation for him.<ref>{{Bible ref|book=Lamentations|chap=4|verses=20|version=KJV}}</ref>
Josiah's son Shallum, or Jehoahaz, succeeded him.
== References Cited ==
<references/>
== See Also ==
* [[Hezekiah]]
* [[Manasseh King of Judah]]
* [[Amon]]
* [[Jehoahaz II]]
* [[Esarhaddon]]
* [[Assur-bani-pal]]
* [[Ashur-etil-ilani]]
* [[Ashur-uballit II]]
* [[Nabopolassar]]
* [[Nebuchadnezzar II]]
* [[House of David]]
* [[Northern Kingdom]]
* [[Southern Kingdom]]
* [[Biblical chronology dispute]]
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