2 Kings 23
Overview
23:1 Josiah causes the book to be read in a solemn assembly;
23:3 He renews the covenant of the Lord;
23:4 He destroys idolatry;
23:15 He burns dead men's bones upon the altar of Beth-el, as was fore-prophesied;
23:21 He keeps a most solemn passover;
23:24 He puts away witches and all abomination;
23:26 God's final wrath against Judah;
23:29 Josiah, provoking Pharaoh-nechoh, is slain at Megiddo;
23:31 Jehoahaz, succeeding him, is imprisoned by Pharaoh-nechoh, who makes Jehoiakim king;
23:36 Jehoiakim's wicked reign. Verse 1the kingDeuteronomy 31:28; 2 Samuel 6:1; 2 Chronicles 29:20, 30:2, 34:29, 34:30-33Reciprocal1 Chronicles 13:1 - consulted; Matthew 1:10 - Josias Verse 2both small and greatHeb. from small even unto great, Genesis 19:11; 1 Samuel 5:9, 30:2; 2 Chronicles 15:13; Esther 1:5; Job 3:19; Psalm 115:13; Acts 26:22; Revelation 20:12 he readDeuteronomy 31:10-13; 2 Chronicles 17:9; Nehemiah 8:1-8, 9:3, 13:1 the book2 Kings 22:8; Deuteronomy 31:26; 1 Kings 8:9ReciprocalDeuteronomy 31:11 - shalt read; 2 Chronicles 31:1 - all Israel; 34:30 - the book; Nehemiah 5:12 - I called; Jeremiah 11:2 - General; 34:8 - had Verse 3stood2 Kings 11:14, 11:17; 2 Chronicles 23:13, 34:31, 34:32 made a covenantExodus 24:7, 24:8; Deuteronomy 5:1-3, 29:1, 29:10-15; Joshua 24:25; 2 Chronicles 15:12-14, 23:16; 29:10; Ezra 10:3; Nehemiah 9:38, 10:28-39; Jeremiah 50:5; Habakkuk 3:1-8:13, 3:1; 3:1 to walkDeuteronomy 8:19 his commandments4:45, 5:1, 6:1; Psalm 19:7-9 with all their heartDeuteronomy 6:5, 10:12, 11:13; Matthew 22:36, 22:37 And allExodus 24:3; Joshua 24:24; 2 Chronicles 34:32, 34:33; Ecclesiastes 8:2; Jeremiah 4:2ReciprocalDeuteronomy 4:29 - with all; 13:4 - walk; 1 Kings 2:4 - walk; 8:22 - stood before the altar; 2 Kings 11:4 - made a covenant; 23:25 - that turned; 2 Chronicles 6:12 - he stood; Nehemiah 5:12 - I called; 5:13 - the people; 10:29 - to walk; Psalm 119:106 - that I will; Jeremiah 11:2 - General; 29:13 - with; 34:8 - had; 34:15 - ye had; Ezekiel 4:6 - forty days Verse 4priestss of the second orderThese were either such as occasionally supplied the high priests's office, or those of the second course or order established by David. See the references. 1 Chronicles 24:4-19; Matthew 26:3, 27:1 the keepers2 Kings 22:4; 1 Chronicles 26:1-19 to bring2 Kings 21:3, 21:7; 2 Chronicles 33:3, 33:7, 34:3, 34:4 Baal2 Kings 17:16; Judges 2:13; 1 Kings 16:31, 18:19, 18:26, 18:40, 19:18; Isaiah 27:9; Jeremiah 7:9 Kidron2 Samuel 15:23; John 18:1, CedronBethel1 Kings 12:29; Hosea 4:15; Amos 4:4ReciprocalDeuteronomy 4:19 - when thou; 2 Kings 11:18 - went; 12:9 - the priests; 13:6 - and there remained; 18:4 - brake; 21:5 - in the two courts; 1 Chronicles 9:11 - the ruler; 2 Chronicles 29:16 - Kidron; 34:9 - Hilkiah; 34:33 - took away; Nehemiah 13:22 - I commanded; Isaiah 30:22 - defile; Jeremiah 7:30 - they; 11:13 - For according; Ezekiel 8:6 - even; Zephaniah 1:4 - the remnant Verse 5put downHeb. caused to ceasethe idolatrous priestsHeb. Chemarim. Hosea 10:5 *marg. "Foretold. Zephaniah 1:4, 1:5."planetsor, twelve signs, or constellations, So the Vulgate duodecim signa, "the twelve signs," i.e., the zodiac; which is the most probable meaning of the word mazzaloth, from the Arabic manzeel, a caravanserai, house, or dwelling, as being the apparent dwellings of the sun in his annual course; and the Targumists and Rabbins often employ the words tereysar mazzalaya, to denote the signs of the zodiac.all the host2 Kings 21:3, 21:4; Jeremiah 8:1, 8:2, 44:17-19ReciprocalDeuteronomy 4:19 - when thou; 2 Kings 23:11 - the sun; 2 Chronicles 33:3 - the host; 34:4 - images; Job 31:26 - beheld; 38:32 - Mazzaroth; Jeremiah 11:13 - For according; Ezekiel 8:16 - their faces; 16:24 - thou hast; 2 Corinthians 6:16 - what Verse 6the groveOr rather, Asherah, or Astarte. 2 Kings 21:7; Judges 3:7; 1 Kings 14:23, 16:33; Jeremiah 17:2 and burnedExodus 32:20; Deuteronomy 7:25, 9:21 the graves2 Kings 10:27; 2 Chronicles 34:4 the childrenProbably the common people.ReciprocalDeuteronomy 7:5 - destroy; 1 Kings 2:37 - over the; 15:13 - the brook; 2 Kings 21:5 - in the two courts; 23:12 - cast; 23:15 - stamped; 2 Chronicles 14:3 - cut down; 15:16 - cut down; 33:3 - the host; 33:7 - in the house; Jeremiah 31:40 - the brook; 32:34 - General; John 18:1 - the brook Verse 7the sodomitesGenesis 19:4, 19:5; 1 Kings 14:24, 15:12, 22:46; 2 Chronicles 34:33; Romans 1:26, 1:27 whereExodus 35:25, 35:26; Ezekiel 8:14, 16:16; Hosea 2:13 hangingsHeb. housesReciprocalDeuteronomy 23:17 - sodomite; 2 Kings 10:27 - brake down the image; Ezekiel 16:50 - and committed; Hosea 4:14 - and they Verse 8frometc. The northern and southern borders of Judah.GebaJoshua 21:17; 1 Kings 15:22; 1 Chronicles 6:60; Isaiah 10:29; Zechariah 14:10 BeershebaGenesis 21:31, 26:23; Judges 20:1; 1 Kings 19:3ReciprocalLeviticus 26:30 - I will destroy; Ezekiel 44:10 - the Levites Verse 9the priestsEzekiel 44:10-14; Malachi 2:8, 2:9 but they did1 Samuel 2:36; Ezekiel 44:29-31Reciprocal44:13 - they shall not Verse 10TophethIsaiah 30:33; Jeremiah 7:31, 7:32, 19:6, 19:11-13, Tophetthe valleyJoshua 15:8; 2 Chronicles 28:3, 33:6; Jeremiah 19:2, 32:35; Matthew 5:22 *Gr.might make2 Kings 16:3, 17:17, 21:6; Leviticus 18:21; Deuteronomy 18:10; Jeremiah 32:35; Ezekiel 16:21, 20:26, 20:31; 23:37-39ReciprocalLeviticus 20:2 - giveth; Joshua 18:16 - the valley of the son; 2 Kings 11:18 - went; Nehemiah 11:30 - the valley; Isaiah 57:5 - slaying; Jeremiah 19:13 - defiled; Micah 6:7 - shall Verse 11the sun2 Kings 23:5; 2 Chronicles 14:5, 34:4; Ezekiel 8:16 house of the LordThroughout the East, the horse because of his swiftness and utility, was dedicated to the sun; and the Greeks and Romans feigned that the chariot of the sun was drawn by four horses, Pyrous, Eous, Aithon, and Phlegon, and hence also chariots were dedicated to that luminary. Jarchi says, that those who adored the sun had horses, which they mounted every morning, to go out to meet him at his rising. The kings of Judah had imitated these idolatrous customs, and kept the horses of the sun even at the entrance of the temple of the Lord!chamberlainor, eunuch, or officerReciprocalDeuteronomy 4:19 - when thou; 1 Chronicles 26:18 - Parbar; 2 Chronicles 33:3 - the host; Job 31:26 - beheld; Jeremiah 19:4 - estranged; Ezekiel 7:20 - but; 16:24 - thou hast; 23:38 - they have; 43:8 - setting Verse 12on the topDeuteronomy 22:8; Jeremiah 19:13; Zephaniah 1:5 which Manasseh2 Kings 21:5, 21:21, 21:22; 2 Chronicles 33:5, 33:15 brake them down from thenceor, ran from thencecast2 Kings 23:6Reciprocal1 Kings 15:13 - destroyed; 2 Chronicles 15:16 - cut down; 30:14 - altars; 34:4 - made dust; Jeremiah 7:30 - they; 19:4 - estranged; 31:40 - the brook; Ezekiel 5:11 - thou hast; 7:20 - but; 16:24 - thou hast; 23:38 - they have; 43:8 - setting; Amos 5:26 - the tabernacle of your Moloch; John 18:1 - the brook Verse 13the mount of corruptionthat is, the mount of Olives, Houbigant, deriving the Hebrew mashchith from mashach, "to anoint," reads "the Mount of Olives." Jarchi, following the Chaldee, also says this was the Mount of Olives; for this is the mount hammishchah, of unction, but because of the idolatrous purposes for which it was used, the Scripture changed the appellation to the mount of hammashchith, corruption.Solomon1 Kings 11:7; Nehemiah 13:26 AshtorethJudges 2:13, 10:6; 1 Samuel 7:4, 12:10; 1 Kings 11:5, 11:33 ChemoshNumbers 21:29; Judges 11:24; Jeremiah 48:7, 48:13, 48:16 MilcomZephaniah 1:5, MalchamReciprocalExodus 8:26 - the abomination; Deuteronomy 11:29 - General; 12:2 - possess; 27:15 - an abomination; 32:16 - abominations; 2 Chronicles 15:8 - abominable idols; 30:14 - altars; Isaiah 44:19 - an abomination; Jeremiah 3:2 - unto; 4:1 - put away; 11:13 - For according; 48:46 - the people; 49:3 - their king; Ezekiel 18:12 - hath committed; Amos 5:26 - the tabernacle of your Moloch Verse 14he brakeExodus 23:24; Numbers 33:52; Deuteronomy 7:5, 7:25, 7:26; 2 Chronicles 34:3, 34:4; Micah 1:7 imagesHeb. statuesthe bones of men2 Kings 23:16; Numbers 19:16, 19:18; Jeremiah 8:1, 8:2; Ezekiel 39:12-16; Matthew 23:27, 23:28ReciprocalExodus 34:13 - ye shall; Deuteronomy 12:3 - and burn; Judges 3:7 - the groves; 1 Kings 11:7 - build an high; 2 Kings 11:18 - went; 2 Chronicles 14:3 - images; Jeremiah 19:13 - defiled; Ezekiel 6:4 - and I Verse 15the altar2 Kings 10:31; 1 Kings 12:28-33, 14:16, 15:30, 21:22 stamped2 Kings 23:6ReciprocalExodus 32:20 - took the calf; 1 Kings 13:2 - Josiah by name; 15:26 - in his sin; 2 Chronicles 15:16 - cut down; 31:1 - in Ephraim; 34:6 - in; Jeremiah 32:31 - this city; 32:35 - to cause; Hosea 8:6 - shall; 10:8 - their altars; Amos 3:14 - I will; Micah 1:7 - all the graven Verse 16burned1 Kings 13:1, 13:2, 13:32; Matthew 24:35; John 10:35 who proclaimedThe Septuagint and Hexaplar Syriac at Paris insert, "when Jeroboam stood by the altar at the feast. And turning about, he cast his eyes on the sepulchre of the man of God" -ReciprocalLeviticus 26:30 - I will destroy; 2 Kings 23:14 - the bones of men; 2 Chronicles 34:5 - he; Jeremiah 8:1 - General; 35:4 - a man; Ezekiel 6:4 - and I; Amos 6:10 - that burneth Verse 17It is the sepulchre1 Kings 13:1, 13:30, 13:31ReciprocalJeremiah 35:4 - a man; 1 Timothy 6:11 - O man Verse 18aloneHeb. to escapethe bones of the prophet1 Kings 13:1-22, 13:31Reciprocal13:11 - an old prophet Verse 19the houses2 Kings 17:9; 1 Kings 12:31, 13:32 the cities2 Chronicles 30:6-11, 31:1, 34:6, 34:7 the kings2 Kings 8:18; 1 Kings 16:33; Micah 6:16 to provoke the Lord2 Kings 17:16-18, 21:6; Psalm 78:58; Jeremiah 7:18, 7:19; Ezekiel 8:17, 8:18Reciprocal2 Kings 17:32 - the houses; Hosea 8:6 - shall Verse 20he slewor, he sacrificed, 2 Kings 10:25, 11:18; Exodus 22:20; Deuteronomy 13:5; 1 Kings 13:2, 18:40; Isaiah 34:6; Zechariah 13:2, 13:3 burned2 Chronicles 34:5ReciprocalLeviticus 26:30 - I will destroy; 2 Kings 9:28 - General; 10:11 - his priests; Jeremiah 7:31 - the high; 8:1 - General Verse 21Keep2 Chronicles 35:1-19 as it is writtenExodus 12:3-20; Leviticus 23:5-8; Numbers 9:2-5, 28:16-25; Deuteronomy 16:1-8ReciprocalExodus 12:14 - by an ordinance; 12:21 - and take; 23:15 - the feast; 2 Chronicles 34:30 - the book; 35:18 - there was no passover Verse 22Surely2 Chronicles 35:18, 35:19 of the kings30:1-3, 30:13-20, 35:3-17ReciprocalActs 13:20 - he gave Verse 23ReciprocalDeuteronomy 16:7 - in the place; Ezekiel 4:6 - forty days Verse 24Moreover"His eighteenth year ending."the workers2 Kings 21:3, 21:6; 1 Samuel 28:3-7; Isaiah 8:19, 19:3; Acts 16:16-18; Revelation 22:15 imagesor, teraphim, Genesis 31:19; Judges 17:5, 18:17, 18:18; Hosea 3:4 that he mightLeviticus 19:31, 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-12; Isaiah 8:20; Romans 3:20; James 1:25 the book2 Kings 22:8-13; 2 Chronicles 34:14-19Reciprocal33:6 - dealt; Jeremiah 4:1 - put away; Ezekiel 21:21 - images Verse 25 amunto him2 Kings 18:5 that turned23:3; Deuteronomy 4:29, 6:5; 1 Kings 2:4, 8:48, 15:5; Jeremiah 29:13 accordingNehemiah 10:29; Malachi 4:4; John 1:17, 7:19Reciprocal1 Kings 21:25 - But there; Job 1:8 - none; Jeremiah 22:15 - thy; Habakkuk 3:1 - whom Verse 26Notwithstanding2 Kings 21:11-13, 22:16, 22:17, 24:2, 24:4; 2 Chronicles 36:16; Jeremiah 3:7-10, 15:1-4 provocationsHeb. angersReciprocalExodus 20:5 - visiting; Numbers 35:33 - it defileth; 1 Kings 14:9 - to provoke; 2 Kings 24:3 - remove them; 2 Chronicles 29:10 - that his fierce; 30:8 - the fierceness; 33:9 - made Judah; 34:24 - I will bring; Isaiah 24:5 - because; Jeremiah 15:4 - because; Ezekiel 18:19 - Why; Zephaniah 2:2 - the decree; Zechariah 1:2 - Lord Verse 27I will remove2 Kings 17:18, 17:20, 18:11, 21:13, 24:3, 25:11; Deuteronomy 29:27, 29:28; Ezekiel 23:32-35 out of my sightPsalm 51:11; Jeremiah 31:37, 33:24; Lamentations 2:7 My name2 Kings 21:4, 21:7; 1 Kings 8:29, 9:3Reciprocal8:16 - my name; 11:13 - for Jerusalem's; 2 Kings 21:11 - Because; 24:2 - according; 25:21 - So Judah; 2 Chronicles 34:24 - I will bring; Isaiah 24:5 - because; 26:15 - thou hadst; Jeremiah 15:4 - because; 32:31 - that I; 52:27 - Thus; Zephaniah 2:2 - the decree; Romans 11:1 - Hath God Verse 28the rest2 Kings 20:20

Verse 29 amPharaohnechohPharaoh-nechoh, called, Νεκως Necos, the son of Psammiticus, by Herodotus, was now was now marching "to make war upon the Medes and Babylonians, who had dissolved the Assyrian empire," the king of the latter being the famous Nabopollasar, who had also become king of Assyria. 2 Kings 23:33, 23:34, 23:35; 2 Chronicles 35:20-24; Jeremiah 46:2 Euphrates2 Kings 24:7; 2 Chronicles 35:20; Jeremiah 46:2 Josiah went2 Chronicles 35:20-23 slew him2 Kings 22:20; Ecclesiastes 8:14, 9:1, 9:2; Isaiah 57:1, 57:2; Romans 11:33 MegiddoMegiddo, called, Magdolum, by Herodotus, was situated in the tribe of Manasseh, west of Jordan, in the valley of Jezreel, and not far fron Hadad-Rimmon, or Maximianopolis. This shews that Josiah reigned over the country formerly possessed by the ten tribes; and it is also probable, that Nechoh had landed his troops at or near Cesarea of Palestine. 2 Kings 9:27; Joshua 17:11; Judges 1:27, 5:19; 1 Kings 4:12; Zechariah 12:11, Megiddon, Revelation 16:16, Armageddonhe had seen him2 Kings 14:8, 14:11ReciprocalGenesis 25:18 - toward; Joshua 12:21 - Megiddo; 1 Kings 9:15 - Megiddo; 1 Chronicles 7:29 - Megiddo; 10:2 - Jonathan; Ezra 6:22 - the king; Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings; Ezekiel 19:1 - the princes; 19:12 - strong; Zechariah 9:8 - because of him that passeth by Verse 30servants2 Kings 9:28; 1 Kings 22:33-38; 2 Chronicles 35:24 the people2 Kings 14:21, 21:24; 2 Chronicles 36:1, 36:2-4ReciprocalJoshua 12:21 - Megiddo; 17:11 - Megiddo; 1 Kings 4:12 - Megiddo; 9:15 - Megiddo; 2 Kings 9:27 - Megiddo; 22:20 - gathered; 1 Chronicles 3:14 - Josiah; 11:3 - anointed; 2 Chronicles 35:20 - Necho; 35:22 - Megiddo; Jeremiah 22:10 - Weep ye; Ezekiel 19:1 - the princes; Zephaniah 1:8 - the princes; John 19:41 - and in; Revelation 16:16 - Armageddon Verse 31Jehoahaz1 Chronicles 3:15; Jeremiah 22:11, ShallumHamutal2 Kings 24:18Reciprocal2 Chronicles 36:1 - Jehoahaz; Ecclesiastes 4:14 - also; Ezekiel 19:3 - it became; 19:4 - he was; Matthew 1:11 - Jechonias Verse 322 Kings 21:2-7, 21:21, 21:22ReciprocalEzekiel 19:3 - it became Verse 33put him2 Chronicles 36:3, 36:4; Ezekiel 19:3, 19:4 RiblahTheodoret - in Jer. 46
expressly affirms that Riblah or Reblatha was in his time called Emesa. Κωμη δε εστιν η Ρεβλαθα της νυν καλουμενης Εμεσης. Emesa was a city of Syria, situated on the Orontes, and, according to the Antonine Itinerary, 18 miles from Laodicea ad Libanum. It is now called Homs, or Hems, about eight hours, or twenty-four miles se of Hamah or Hamath, in the road to Damascus. The present town only occupies about one quarter of the space contained within the ancient walls, which apparently date from the time of the Saracens. Here is nothing remarkable, except a Roman sepulchre, and a large castle in ruins. 2 Kings 25:6; Numbers 34:11; Jeremiah 39:5, 39:6, 52:9, 52:10, 52:26, 52:27 HamathNumbers 13:21; 1 Kings 8:65 that he might not reignor, because he reignedputetc. Heb. set a mulct upon the land. 2 Kings 18:14; Exodus 21:22; 2 Chronicles 36:3; Proverbs 19:19Reciprocal2 Kings 23:29 - Pharaohnechoh; 23:35 - the silver; 2 Chronicles 33:11 - bound him; Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings; Isaiah 7:18 - bee; Jeremiah 2:16 - Also the; Lamentations 1:1 - how is; Zechariah 9:2 - Hamath
Verse 34EliakimJoshua 18:18; 2 Chronicles 36:3, 36:4 the son1 Chronicles 3:15 turned2 Kings 24:17; Genesis 41:45; Daniel 1:7 Jehoiakim"Called Jakim, Matthew 1:11."he cameJeremiah 22:11, 22:12; Ezekiel 19:3, 19:4Reciprocal2 Kings 23:29 - Pharaohnechoh; 1 Chronicles 3:14 - Josiah; Nehemiah 9:32 - on our kings; Isaiah 7:18 - bee; Jeremiah 26:1 - General; Ezekiel 19:1 - the princes; 19:5 - another; 19:12 - strong Verse 35the silver2 Kings 23:33 taxed15:19, 15:20Reciprocal23:29 - Pharaohnechoh; 2 Chronicles 36:4 - made Eliakim; Jeremiah 22:13 - unto; 35:1 - in the; Lamentations 1:1 - how is; Daniel 11:20 - a raiser of taxes in the Verse 36 amJehoiakim1 Chronicles 3:15; 2 Chronicles 36:5; Jeremiah 1:3 RumahJosephus here reads Abuma; but he also speaks of Ruma, a village of Galilee.ReciprocalEzekiel 14:20 - Daniel Verse 37he didJeremiah 22:13-17, 26:20-23, 36:23-26, 36:31; Ezekiel 19:5-9 all that2 Chronicles 28:22-25, 33:4-10, 33:22, 33:23Reciprocal2 Kings 24:19 - And he did; 2 Chronicles 36:5 - Jehoiakim; Jeremiah 1:2 - in the days; Zephaniah 1:1 - in the days