2 Kings 23:18

And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.

And he said {H559}, Let him alone {H3240}; let no man {H376} move {H5128} his bones {H6106}. So they let his bones {H6106} alone {H4422}, with the bones {H6106} of the prophet {H5030} that came out {H935} of Samaria {H8111}.

He replied, "Let him be; no one is to move his bones." So they left his bones undisturbed, along with the bones of the prophet who had come from Shomron.

“Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.

And he said, Let him be; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.

Commentary

2 Kings 23:18 is a pivotal moment in King Josiah's widespread religious reforms, highlighting the precise fulfillment of an ancient prophecy and a profound respect for God's true messengers.

Context of Josiah's Reforms

This verse takes place during King Josiah's zealous campaign to purge Judah and Israel of idolatry. Having discovered the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8), Josiah embarked on a nationwide cleansing, destroying altars, Asherah poles, and cultic objects. In 2 Kings 23:15-17, Josiah travels to Bethel, a significant site of idolatry where King Jeroboam I had set up one of his golden calves (1 Kings 12:29). There, he desecrates the altar by burning the bones of idolatrous priests upon it, fulfilling a prophecy made centuries earlier.

As Josiah carries out this act, he notices a tombstone and inquires about it. He is informed that it marks the grave of "the man of God that came from Judah" (2 Kings 23:17), who had prophesied against Jeroboam's altar in Bethel. This prophet is known from 1 Kings 13. Despite his own tragic disobedience later in life, his initial prophetic word against Jeroboam's altar was divinely inspired and accurate. The "prophet that came out of Samaria" refers to the old prophet from Bethel who had deceived the man of God from Judah and was buried alongside him (1 Kings 13:31).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Fulfillment of Prophecy: The most striking theme is the precise and centuries-later fulfillment of the prophecy given by the man of God from Judah against Jeroboam's altar. Josiah's actions directly align with what was foretold, underscoring God's absolute sovereignty and the infallibility of His word. It demonstrates that God remembers His prophecies and brings them to pass in His appointed time.
  • Reverence for God's Servants: While Josiah was desecrating the bones of false priests, he commanded reverence for the bones of the man of God. This distinction highlights God's respect for those who, despite personal failings, delivered His authentic message. It shows that even in death, God honors His true messengers.
  • Divine Distinction: The sparing of these specific bones emphasizes a divine distinction between the faithful and the idolatrous. It's a powerful statement that God separates those who truly served Him from those who led His people astray through pagan worship.
  • Josiah's Discernment and Piety: Josiah's act of sparing these bones demonstrates his deep spiritual discernment and genuine piety. He recognized the significance of the prophet's tomb and honored God's previous work through him, even while ruthlessly eradicating all forms of idolatry.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Let him alone; let no man move his bones" is a straightforward command in Hebrew, indicating Josiah's clear directive to respect the remains. The term for "bones" (Hebrew: 'ets_em) literally refers to the skeletal remains, and its usage here underscores the physical act of desecration being performed on others versus the preservation of these specific remains.

Practical Application

This verse encourages believers to trust in the enduring power and ultimate fulfillment of God's word. Just as the ancient prophecy came to pass, so too will God's promises and warnings for today. It also reminds us that God remembers and honors His servants, even those who may have stumbled. Our faithfulness in delivering God's truth has eternal significance. Finally, it calls us to spiritual discernment, distinguishing between truth and error, and honoring that which is truly of God.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Kings 13:31

    And it came to pass, after he had buried him, that he spake to his sons, saying, When I am dead, then bury me in the sepulchre wherein the man of God [is] buried; lay my bones beside his bones:

  • 1 Kings 13:1

    ¶ And, behold, there came a man of God out of Judah by the word of the LORD unto Bethel: and Jeroboam stood by the altar to burn incense.

  • 1 Kings 13:22

    But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which [the LORD] did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.
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