2 Chronicles 34:1

¶ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.

Josiah {H2977} was eight {H8083} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he began to reign {H4427}, and he reigned {H4427} in Jerusalem {H3389} one {H259} and thirty {H7970} years {H8141}.

Yoshiyahu was eight years old when he began his reign, and he ruled for thirty-one years in Yerushalayim.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem.

Commentary

2 Chronicles 34:1 introduces one of Judah's most significant and righteous kings, Josiah, setting the stage for a period of remarkable spiritual reform and national renewal. This verse concisely states his age at ascension and the duration of his reign, immediately highlighting the youthful beginning of a pivotal era.

Context

King Josiah's reign followed a dark period in the history of Judah, marked by severe idolatry and moral decay under his grandfather, King Manasseh, and his father, King Amon. Manasseh had led Judah into deep apostasy, even setting up altars to pagan gods within the Temple itself. Amon continued this wicked path for his short reign. Against this backdrop of spiritual decline, Josiah's ascension at the tender age of eight years old is particularly striking. His story is also recounted in parallel in the book of 2 Kings 22-23, providing a comprehensive view of his life and reforms in Jerusalem.

Key Themes

  • Divine Calling and Early Piety: The fact that Josiah began his reign at such a young age underscores the concept of a divine calling, regardless of one's youth. His subsequent actions, described in 2 Chronicles 34:2, demonstrate a remarkable personal commitment to the Lord from an early age, contrasting sharply with his immediate predecessors.
  • God's Sovereignty in Leadership: This verse highlights God's ability to raise up leaders, even unlikely ones, to fulfill His purposes. Josiah's reign represents a profound turning point for Judah, orchestrated by divine providence to bring about a much-needed spiritual revival before the impending Babylonian exile.
  • Hope for National Transformation: Despite the nation's deep-seated idolatry, Josiah's reign offered a period of genuine repentance and reform. His long reign of thirty-one years allowed for significant changes, including the discovery of the Book of the Law and extensive efforts to purge idolatry from the land.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Josiah" (Hebrew: Yoshiyahu) is highly significant, meaning "the Lord supports" or "the Lord heals/saves." This meaning aptly foreshadows his role as a king who would bring about a profound spiritual healing and restoration for the nation of Judah, supported directly by God in his efforts to reverse generations of apostasy.

Practical Application

Josiah's story, beginning with this verse, offers several powerful lessons for believers today:

  • Age is No Barrier to Impact: God can use anyone, regardless of age, to accomplish His will. Josiah's early start shows that youth is not an impediment to leadership or spiritual influence.
  • Personal Conviction Matters: Despite a wicked upbringing, Josiah chose to follow the Lord wholeheartedly. This emphasizes the importance of individual commitment and seeking God's will above all else.
  • The Potential for Revival: Even in times of deep spiritual decline, God can raise up individuals to lead movements of repentance and reform. Josiah's reign serves as a powerful reminder that transformation is possible when people turn to God with all their heart.
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Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 1:2

    To whom the word of the LORD came in the days of Josiah the son of Amon king of Judah, in the thirteenth year of his reign.

  • Zephaniah 1:1

    ¶ The word of the LORD which came unto Zephaniah the son of Cushi, the son of Gedaliah, the son of Amariah, the son of Hizkiah, in the days of Josiah the son of Amon, king of Judah.

  • 1 Samuel 2:26

    And the child Samuel grew on, and was in favour both with the LORD, and also with men.

  • 2 Kings 22:1

    ¶ Josiah [was] eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name [was] Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.

  • 2 Kings 22:20

    Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

  • Ecclesiastes 4:13

    ¶ Better [is] a poor and a wise child than an old and foolish king, who will no more be admonished.

  • 1 Kings 3:7

    And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I [am but] a little child: I know not [how] to go out or come in.
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