You Have to See This! Josiah - The Youngest King and the Greatest King of Israel | Bible Wisdom

You Have to See This! Josiah - The Youngest King and the Greatest King of Israel | Bible Wisdom

There are stories that seem as though they were pulled straight from the pages of a fairy tale—stories of hope arising from despair, of light piercing through the darkest clouds. But sometimes, these tales aren’t figments of imagination; they are as real as the ground we walk on. Imagine a kingdom plunged into spiritual darkness, where evil reigns unchecked, and hope has all but vanished. Then imagine a boy—so young that he can barely tie his own shoes—being tasked with carrying the weight of that kingdom on his small shoulders. It seems impossible, doesn’t it? But this is precisely how the remarkable story of Josiah begins: the youngest king of Judah, and, surprisingly, one of the greatest kings that Israel had ever known.

This is a story of profound leadership, an unwavering faith, and the power of a single life to change the destiny of thousands. It is a story that challenges everything we think we know about leadership, about the capacity for change, and about the ways in which even the smallest among us can rise to greatness. Get ready to journey through one of the most transformative periods in Israel’s history—a journey that began with a child on the throne.

A Kingdom in Crisis 

The kingdom of Judah, at the time of Josiah’s birth, was staggering on the brink of moral and spiritual collapse. Once a glorious nation under the reigns of kings like David and Solomon, Judah had descended into a period of corruption, idolatry, and injustice. The kings who succeeded Solomon had, for the most part, strayed from the ways of the Lord, leading the people into worshiping foreign gods and forgetting the covenant that had bound them to God.

The situation was dire. The altars of pagan gods dotted the landscape, desecrating the very land that had once been dedicated to the Lord. The Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, the heart of Jewish worship, lay in ruins—neglected, profaned, and forgotten. It had become a hollow shell, a haunting reminder of how far Judah had strayed. The people had turned so far away from God that even the law of Moses, the foundation of their covenant, had been lost and forgotten.

It was in this spiritually barren environment that Josiah was born. His father, King Amon, and his grandfather, King Manasseh, were two of the most wicked rulers in Judah’s history. They perpetuated the idolatry and injustice that had taken root in Judah, further driving the nation into the abyss of spiritual decay.

In the 2 Kings 21:19-20 gives us a glimpse into the character of Josiah’s father, Amon: “Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. He did what was evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done.” The Bible recounts how Amon “walked in all the way in which his father walked and served the idols that his father had served and bowed down to them” . The kingdom was spiritually bankrupt, and there seemed to be no hope of revival.

Amidst this darkness, a tragedy occurred that would set the stage for a remarkable change in Judah’s history. King Amon’s reign was short-lived—after only two years, he was assassinated by his own servants in a palace conspiracy. Scripture tells us, “And the servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his house” . But the people of the land rose up, avenging the death of the king by striking down his conspirators. In the aftermath, they crowned Josiah, Amon’s eight-year-old son, as king in his place.

It is hard to imagine a more improbable scenario: a boy barely old enough to comprehend the world around him was now the ruler of a nation in crisis. The fate of Judah rested on the shoulders of this young child, a kingdom teetering on the edge of disaster. How could an eight-year-old king reverse generations of apostasy and corruption? How could he, born into a lineage of wicked kings, find his way back to God?

The Seed of Faith

Although Josiah was too young to govern the kingdom effectively, he was not alone. Surrounding him were a group of faithful advisers—men who feared God and understood the gravity of the situation. Among them were Hilkiah, the high priest, and Shaphan, the scribe, both of whom would later play key roles in Josiah’s reforms. These godly men served as guardians and guides to the young monarch, planting the seeds of faith that would eventually grow into one of the greatest spiritual revivals in Israel’s history.

Although the Bible does not provide us with specific details about Josiah’s education, we can infer that these early years were crucial in shaping his character and values. It is likely that Josiah was taught about the ancient traditions of Israel, about the covenant God made with their forefathers, and about the consequences of disobedience that had brought the nation to its knees. As Josiah grew, his curiosity about these things deepened, and so did his desire to know the God of Israel. He must have heard stories of his ancestors—kings like David, who led the nation in times of great prosperity and devotion to God—and wondered why Judah had fallen so far from those days.

Josiah’s early years were undoubtedly a time of preparation, though few could have predicted what was to come. As he approached the age of 16, a shift began to occur. The young king started to take a more active role in governing, and his faith in God blossomed into a full-fledged commitment. What could have been seen as a disadvantage—his youth—proved to be one of Josiah’s greatest strengths. Free from the corrupting influences of his predecessors, Josiah had the clarity and courage to lead Judah in a new direction.

At 16, Josiah embarked on a spiritual journey that would not only transform his own life but the entire kingdom of Judah. 2 Chronicles 34:3 marks this crucial moment: “For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David his father, and in the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, and the carved and the metal images.”

The Quest for God

This was no ordinary political or intellectual quest. It was a genuine longing of the heart to know and follow the Lord. Josiah’s journey to seek God was born out of a deep sense of responsibility and a desire to restore what had been lost. He must have spent countless hours studying the ancient writings, conversing with the priests and prophets, and trying to understand the history of his people and their relationship with God.

As Josiah’s knowledge of God grew, so did his determination to restore true worship in Judah. His spiritual awakening was not a passive experience—it was a catalyst for action. At the age of 20, Josiah felt ready to initiate concrete reforms. The first step was purifying Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles, and carved images that had been erected to foreign gods.

The task before him was monumental. These idols and altars had been a part of Judah’s religious landscape for generations. For many people, they were all they had ever known. But Josiah understood that true worship of the Lord could not coexist with these pagan practices. They had to be destroyed, and he was prepared to do whatever it took to see it through.

Josiah’s reforms began with tearing down the altars of the Baals, cutting to pieces the images that had been set up to honor these false gods. He ground them to powder and scattered the remains on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He even burned the bones of the priests who had led the people into idolatry on their own altars. These were not mere symbolic gestures; they were powerful acts of purification, meant to eradicate idolatry from Judah once and for all.

But Josiah did not stop at Judah. His reforms extended beyond the borders of his own kingdom. He traveled to the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and even as far as Naphtali in the north, destroying the pagan altars and idols that had been erected there. These areas had been under the control of the northern kingdom of Israel before its conquest by Assyria, but Josiah felt a responsibility to purify all the land that God had promised to Israel.

Josiah’s reforms were unprecedented in scope and intensity. He was determined not just to lead a personal spiritual revival but to bring about a national transformation. And yet, his greatest act of reform was still to come.

Rediscovering the Law

In the eighteenth year of his reign, when Josiah was 26 years old, he undertook one of the most significant actions of his rule: the restoration of the Temple of the Lord. This temple, built by Solomon, had been the center of worship in Israel for generations, but over the years of apostasy, it had fallen into disrepair. Restoring the temple was a symbolic act—an attempt to restore the relationship between God and His people.

But something happened during the restoration that would change the course of Josiah’s reign. As the workers began clearing out the temple, the high priest Hilkiah made a discovery that would prove to be momentous. In 2 Chronicles 34:15, we read: “Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses.” This book, likely containing the Pentateuch—the first five books of the Bible—had been lost or hidden during the years of idolatry and apostasy.

When the contents of the book were read to Josiah, his reaction was immediate and profound. 2 Chronicles 34:19 tells us, “When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes.” This act of tearing his clothes was a sign of deep grief and repentance. Josiah realized, in that moment, how far his people had strayed from the covenant they had made with God. He recognized that the nation was under threat of divine judgment because they had failed to keep the commandments written in the book of the Law.

Josiah’s reaction was not one of despair, but of urgency. He immediately ordered that the book be read to all the people of Judah. In a powerful public ceremony, Josiah gathered the priests, the Levites, the elders, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, from the greatest to the least. Standing before them in the temple, Josiah made a covenant before the Lord to follow Him with all his heart and soul, and to keep His commandments and statutes.

This public reading of the Law marked a turning point in Josiah’s reign. It was no longer just a personal quest to seek God—it became a national movement to return to the Lord and restore the covenant that had been broken. The people, inspired by Josiah’s example, joined in this renewal of faith. It was a moment of spiritual revival, a recommitment to the God who had chosen them as His people.

A Legacy of Faith

Josiah’s reforms did not stop with the purification of the land or the restoration of the temple. He went on to lead one of the most significant Passover celebrations in Israel’s history. 2 Kings 23:21-23 tells us, “The king commanded all the people, ‘Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.’ For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or the kings of Judah.”

This Passover was a symbol of the nation’s renewed covenant with God. It was a time for the people to reflect on their history, their deliverance from Egypt, and the promises God had made to them. The magnitude of this celebration was unparalleled—it was the most faithful and comprehensive Passover that had been celebrated in generations.

Josiah’s reforms extended beyond the religious sphere. He also sought to bring about social and political change, aligning the kingdom’s governance with the principles of justice and righteousness found in the Law of Moses. Josiah may have restructured the judicial system, implemented measures to protect the poor and vulnerable, and worked to eradicate practices that were harmful to society, such as cult prostitution and child sacrifice.

In every aspect of his reign, Josiah sought to align Judah with the will of God. He was a king who ruled with justice, compassion, and faithfulness. 2 Kings 23:25 offers a remarkable commendation of Josiah: “Before him, there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.”

But despite Josiah’s remarkable efforts, Scripture gives us a somber note. 2 Kings 23:26-27 tells us, “Nevertheless, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.” God had already decreed judgment on Judah because of the accumulated sins of previous generations. Even Josiah’s reforms, as sweeping and as genuine as they were, could not completely avert the coming judgment.

A Tragic End

Josiah’s reign came to an abrupt and tragic end. In 609 BC, Pharaoh Neco of Egypt marched north to aid the remnants of the Assyrian army in their fight against the rising power of Babylon. For reasons not entirely clear in the scriptures, Josiah decided to intervene. Despite warnings from Pharaoh Neco, who claimed that his mission had divine approval, Josiah disguised himself and went to meet the Egyptian forces on the battlefield.

The confrontation took place at Megiddo, and it ended in disaster for Josiah. He was struck by arrows and fatally wounded. His officers carried him back to Jerusalem, where he died. The nation mourned deeply for their fallen king. Even the prophet Jeremiah lamented Josiah’s death, and the people composed songs of mourning that became a part of Israel’s cultural tradition for generations to come

Josiah’s death marked the beginning of a rapid decline for Judah. His son, Jehoahaz, ascended to the throne but reigned only three months before being deposed by Pharaoh Neco, who placed another of Josiah’s sons, Jehoiakim, on the throne. Under Jehoiakim’s reign, Judah fell deeper into sin and eventually faced the full wrath of God’s judgment through the Babylonian conquest and exile.

Josiah’s Enduring Legacy 

Although Josiah’s reign ended in tragedy and his reforms could not prevent the coming exile, his legacy endured. The rediscovery of the book of the Law during Josiah’s reign reintroduced the people of Judah to their spiritual heritage and helped shape their identity in the years to come. During the Babylonian exile, when the temple was destroyed and the people were separated from their land, the scriptures became the foundation of their faith and identity.

Josiah’s personal example of devotion to God and obedience to the Law became a standard for future generations. Even though his immediate successors did not follow his example, the memory of Josiah as a just and faithful king continued to inspire hope and serve as a model of godly leadership.

The lessons from Josiah’s life are as relevant today as they were in his time. His story reminds us of the power of faith, the importance of godly leadership, and the impact that one person’s faithfulness can have on an entire nation. Josiah’s life challenges us to consider our own legacies—what impact will we leave behind? How can we lead our families, communities, and nations in a way that honors God and brings about lasting change?

Josiah’s reforms may not have saved Judah from destruction, but they did provide a brief moment of spiritual renewal and a lasting example of faithfulness. His legacy continues to inspire us to seek God with all our hearts, to turn away from the idols in our lives, and to pursue justice and righteousness in everything we do.

This is the story of Josiah—the boy king who transformed a nation. We hope that Josiah's journey has inspired you as much as it has inspired us. His legacy of faith, courage, and unwavering dedication to doing what is right, even in the face of overwhelming odds, continues to resonate today.