2 พงศาวดาร 34:7 วิจารณ์

Before we see Judah and Jerusalem ruined we shall yet see some glorious years, while good Josiah sits at the helm. By his pious endeavours for reformation God tried them yet once more; if they had known in this their day, the day of their visitation, the things that belonged to their peace and improved them, their ruin might have been prevented. But after this reign they were hidden from their eyes, and the next reigns brought an utter desolation upon them. In this chapter we have, I. A general account of Josiah's character (Ch2 34:1, Ch2 34:2). II. His zeal to root out idolatry (Ch2 34:3-7). III. His care to repair the temple (Ch2 34:8-13). IV. The finding of the book of the law and the good use made of it (Ch2 34:14-28). V. The public reading of the law to the people and their renewing their covenant with God thereupon (Ch2 34:29-33). Much of this we had 2 Kings 22.

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 34 This chapter begins with the good reign of Josiah, the reformation he made in the land, purging it from idolatry, Ch2 34:1, relates the orders he gave to repair the house of the Lord, which was accordingly done, Ch2 34:8, when the book of the law was found and brought to him, which greatly affected him, Ch2 34:12, upon which he deputed some persons to inquire of the Lord, who did of Huldah the prophetess, to whom she gave an answer, which they returned to the king, Ch2 34:20 and the chapter is concluded with an account of reading the book in the ears of all the people, and of the king, and then making a covenant with the Lord to serve him, Ch2 34:27.

Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house,.... The temple; this was in the twenty sixth year of his age, six years this work had been doing before it was finished: he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah: who only is mentioned in Kg2 22:3 two more are added here, as follow: and Maaseiah the governor of the city; the city of Jerusalem, a deputy governor under the king, a sort of mayor or provost: and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder; who was over the book of memorials, as the Targum; the word may be rendered "the remembrances"; and, according to Jarchi, as every king of Judah had a scribe to write down the memorable things that happened in his reign, good or bad, so the scribe had one by him, to put him in mind of every transaction, from whom he wrote it down: to repair the house of the Lord his God; that is, to give orders for the doing of it, to prepare for it, provide workmen, and appoint overseers of them: it had not been repaired since the times of Joash, which, according to the Jewish chronology (y), was a space of two hundred and eighteen years. (y) Seder Olam Rabba, c. 24.

Josiah reigns thirty-one years; destroys idolatry in Judah, as also in Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and even to Naphtali, Ch2 34:1-7. He begins to repair the temple, and collects money for the purpose, and employs workmen, Ch2 34:8-13. Hilkiah the priest finds the book of the law in the temple, which is read by Shaphan before the king, Ch2 34:14-19. He is greatly troubled, and consults Huldah the prophetess, Ch2 34:20-22. Her exhortation, and message to the king, Ch2 34:23-28. He causes it to be read to the elders of Judah, and they make a covenant with God, Ch2 34:29, Ch2 34:32. Josiah reforms every abomination, and the people serve God all his days, Ch2 34:33.

JOSIAH'S GOOD REIGN. (Ch2 34:1-2) Josiah was eight years old--(See on Kg2 22:1). The testimony borne to the undeviating steadfastness of his adherence to the cause of true religion places his character and reign in honorable contrast with those of many of his royal predecessors.