2 Kings 23:19

And all the houses also of the high places that [were] in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke [the LORD] to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel.

And all the houses {H1004} also of the high places {H1116} that were in the cities {H5892} of Samaria {H8111}, which the kings {H4428} of Israel {H3478} had made {H6213} to provoke the LORD to anger {H3707}, Josiah {H2977} took away {H5493}, and did {H6213} to them according to all the acts {H4639} that he had done {H6213} in Bethel {H1008}.

Yoshiyahu also removed all the shrines of the high places in the cities of Shomron, which the kings of Isra'el had made in order to provoke [ADONAI] to anger, and treated them the same as in Beit-El

Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger.

And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke Jehovah to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Beth-el.

Commentary

Context of 2 Kings 23:19

This verse details King Josiah's extensive religious reforms, specifically extending his reach beyond the traditional borders of Judah into the former territory of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, particularly Samaria. Josiah, a righteous king, began his reign at a young age and later embarked on a profound spiritual cleansing of the land, driven by the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8). His reforms were thorough, aiming to eradicate all forms of idolatry that had plagued both Judah and Israel for centuries. His actions in Samaria mirror the zeal he displayed in Judah, particularly at Bethel, a key center of Jeroboam's idolatry.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Zealous Reform and Purity of Worship: Josiah's actions demonstrate an uncompromising commitment to restoring pure worship of the LORD. He did not merely remove idols but utterly destroyed the infrastructure of pagan worship, including the "high places" (bamot), which were centers for syncretistic and idolatrous practices. This radical cleansing aimed to eliminate anything that diverted the people's devotion from God alone.
  • Consequences of Idolatry: The verse explicitly states that the high places were built by "the kings of Israel to provoke the LORD to anger." This highlights God's righteous indignation against idolatry, which is seen as a direct affront to His sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. The long history of Israel's unfaithfulness ultimately led to their exile (2 Kings 17:7-18), and Josiah's reforms were a desperate attempt to avert a similar fate for Judah.
  • God's Sovereignty and Judgment: Despite the division of the kingdoms, Josiah's ability to operate in Samaria suggests a recognition of God's overarching authority over all the land of Israel, even territories that had been conquered by Assyria. His actions were a divine judgment against generations of unfaithfulness.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "high places" translates the Hebrew word bamot (ื‘ึธึผืžื•ึนืช), referring to elevated shrines or altars where Canaanite deities and later, even the LORD, were improperly worshipped. These sites often combined pagan rituals with Israelite practices, leading to spiritual corruption. The term "provoke to anger" (Hebrew: ka'as - ื›ึธึผืขึทืก) emphasizes the personal offense idolatry was to God, signifying His deep displeasure and righteous wrath against such rebellion.

Practical Application

Josiah's radical commitment to spiritual purity serves as a powerful example for believers today. While we are not called to physically tear down altars, we are to examine our own lives and "high places" โ€“ anything that competes for our ultimate devotion to God. This could include materialism, self-reliance, or any pursuit that displaces God from His rightful place. Just as Josiah sought to cleanse the land from spiritual impurity, we are called to be transformed by the renewing of our minds and to live lives of undivided loyalty to the one true God. Our spiritual zeal should lead us to continually remove anything that "provokes the LORD to anger" in our hearts and communities.

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

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 34:6

    And [so did he] in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:7

    And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

  • Ezekiel 8:17

    Then he said unto me, Hast thou seen [this], O son of man? Is it a light thing to the house of Judah that they commit the abominations which they commit here? for they have filled the land with violence, and have returned to provoke me to anger: and, lo, they put the branch to their nose.

  • Ezekiel 8:18

    Therefore will I also deal in fury: mine eye shall not spare, neither will I have pity: and though they cry in mine ears with a loud voice, [yet] will I not hear them.

  • 1 Kings 12:31

    And he made an house of high places, and made priests of the lowest of the people, which were not of the sons of Levi.

  • Psalms 78:58

    For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

  • 2 Chronicles 30:6

    So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
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