Men's Ministry

2. Josiah became king at the age of eight when his father, Amon, was assassinated. The first thing he did in this chapter is begin repairing the Temple. He was 26 years old at this time. If we look at II Chronicles 34, we get more details: he began to seek the Lord at age 16. Then at age 20, he began purging the land of the high places, the Asherim and the other idols. It also state that he “burned the bones of the priests on their altars.” Why would he do such a thing? See also Deuteronomy 13:5 and 18:20.
3. King Joash (the 7 year old boy) had the Temple repaired back in II Kings 12. King Hezekiah had to cleanse the Temple and repair the doors in his first year (II Chronicles 29:3), and now Josiah is repairing the Temple yet again.  Why was this necessary?
4. Interesting point: the priest Hilkiah was the father of the prophet Jeremiah. See Jeremiah 1:1-2. Jeremiah began his ministry during the reign of King Josiah.

 

5. According to Deuteronomy 31:9-13, the Book of the Law was to be read to the entire nation once every seven years at the Feast of Tabernacles.  Deuteronomy 17:18-20 tells us that each king was to have a personal copy of the law. Since the law was so important, how could it have been lost  (verse 8)?6. The high priest told Shaphan that he had found the Book of the Law. Shaphan then read it but, when he brought it to the king, he simply said, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” It seems like an understatement. Why do you think he made such an unassuming statement, especially after reading it himself?