2 Kings 23:19

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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.

American Standard Version

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

### SUMMARY
King Josiah's comprehensive religious reforms extended far beyond the traditional borders of Judah, reaching into the cities of Samaria, the former territory of the Northern Kingdom of Israel. Driven by an unwavering commitment to the rediscovered Book of the Law, Josiah systematically dismantled and desecrated all the idolatrous "high places" that previous kings of Israel had established to provoke the LORD to anger. His actions in Samaria mirrored the thoroughness and zeal he had previously demonstrated at Bethel, aiming for a complete eradication of syncretistic worship and a restoration of exclusive devotion to Yahweh across the entire land.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the detailed account of King Josiah's sweeping religious reforms in [2 Kings 23](/2_kings/23 "2 Kings 23 - Josiah's Reforms"). Following the dramatic discovery of the Book of the Law in [2 Kings 22](/2_kings/22 "2 Kings 22 - The Book of the Law Discovered"), Josiah initiates an unparalleled spiritual cleansing of Judah and Jerusalem, beginning with the removal of idolatrous objects from the temple and extending to the destruction of various pagan cults and practices throughout the land (2 Kings 23:4-14). Verse 19 specifically highlights the remarkable geographical scope of his zeal, demonstrating that his reforms were not limited to Judah but extended into the former Northern Kingdom's territory, particularly Samaria. His actions here are explicitly linked to his earlier, detailed destruction of the altar and high place at Bethel (2 Kings 23:15-18), underscoring the thoroughness and consistency of his covenant renewal efforts.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Josiah reigned over Judah from 640-609 BC, a period marked by the decline of the Assyrian Empire, which had previously dominated the region and deported the Northern Kingdom of Israel. This decline created a power vacuum, allowing Judah greater autonomy and enabling Josiah to exert influence over territories that had once been part of Israel, now largely under Assyrian provincial administration. The "high places" (Hebrew: *bamot*) were elevated shrines, often on hilltops, where Canaanite deities were worshipped and where, tragically, even Yahweh was worshipped in syncretistic ways, often incorporating pagan rituals. These sites had been a persistent problem for centuries, explicitly forbidden by the Law (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12:2-4](/deuteronomy/12-2 "Deuteronomy 12:2-4 - Destroying Pagan Shrines")). The "kings of Israel" refers specifically to the monarchs of the Northern Kingdom, particularly Jeroboam I, who established alternative worship centers at Bethel and Dan to prevent his subjects from going to Jerusalem ([1 Kings 12:28-33](/1_kings/12-28-33 "1 Kings 12:28-33 - Jeroboam's Golden Calves")).
* **Key Themes:** The central theme underscored by this verse is **Zealous Reform and Purity of Worship**. Josiah's actions exemplify an uncompromising commitment to restoring pure worship of the LORD, not merely removing idols but utterly destroying the infrastructure of pagan and syncretistic worship. This radical cleansing aimed to eliminate anything that diverted the people's devotion from God alone, demonstrating the seriousness of **Covenant Fidelity and Renewal**. Furthermore, the verse explicitly states that the high places were built "to provoke the LORD to anger," highlighting God's righteous indignation against idolatry, which is seen as a direct affront to His sovereignty and covenant faithfulness. This speaks to the theme of **Consequences of Idolatry** and **Divine Judgment**, as Josiah's actions serve as a divinely sanctioned act of judgment against generations of unfaithfulness that had led to Israel's exile ([2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7-18 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Israel's Disobedience and Exile")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **High places (Hebrew, _bamot'_):** These were cultic sites, often elevated, used for worship, frequently involving syncretistic practices that blended Yahwism with Canaanite idolatry. From the time of the Judges through the monarchy, these "high places" represented a persistent spiritual compromise, a direct violation of God's command to worship Him exclusively at a central sanctuary ([Deuteronomy 12:5-7](/deuteronomy/12-5-7 "Deuteronomy 12:5-7 - The Chosen Place of Worship")). Josiah's destruction of them signifies a radical commitment to eradicating all forms of spiritual impurity.
* **Provoke (Hebrew, _ka'as'_):** This verb signifies to vex, anger, or grieve. When applied to God, it emphasizes the personal offense and deep displeasure that idolatry caused Him. It is not merely a breaking of a rule, but an act of rebellion that stirs divine wrath, underscoring the relational nature of God's covenant with His people and the seriousness of their unfaithfulness.
* **Bethel (Hebrew, _Bethel'_):** Meaning "House of God," this site held significant historical and spiritual importance, being associated with Abraham and Jacob ([Genesis 12:8](/genesis/12-8 "Genesis 12:8 - Abraham Builds an Altar at Bethel"); [Genesis 28:10-22](/genesis/28-10-22 "Genesis 28:10-22 - Jacob's Dream at Bethel")). However, it became infamous as the primary center of idolatrous calf worship established by Jeroboam I for the Northern Kingdom ([1 Kings 12:28-30](/1_kings/12-28-30 "1 Kings 12:28-30 - Jeroboam's Idolatry")). Josiah's actions at Bethel (detailed in 2 Kings 23:15-18) were particularly symbolic, representing the undoing of centuries of Israelite apostasy and fulfilling a prophecy made against Jeroboam's altar ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-1-2 "1 Kings 13:1-2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And all the houses also of the high places that [were] in the cities of Samaria":** This clause highlights the extensive geographical reach of Josiah's reforms. Samaria, the former capital region of the Northern Kingdom, was no longer under Judahite control but was an Assyrian province. Josiah's ability and determination to carry out such a thorough cleansing there underscore his conviction that he was king over all Israel, and that the entire land was Yahweh's, requiring purification from idolatry.
* **"which the kings of Israel had made to provoke [the LORD] to anger":** This explicitly attributes the establishment of these idolatrous sites to the kings of the Northern Kingdom, particularly Jeroboam I and his successors. It also clearly states the divine consequence: these actions were a direct affront to God, stirring His righteous wrath and ultimately leading to the Northern Kingdom's downfall and exile ([2 Kings 17:7-18](/2_kings/17-7-18 "2 Kings 17:7-18 - Israel's Disobedience and Exile")).
* **"Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel":** This describes the thoroughness of Josiah's actions. "Took away" implies removal, but "did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel" specifies the radical nature of this removal. At Bethel, Josiah not only destroyed the altar but also burned the Asherah pole, ground the sacred stones to dust, and desecrated the site by burning the bones of idolatrous priests upon it (2 Kings 23:15-18). This indicates a complete and irreversible eradication of the idolatrous infrastructure in Samaria, mirroring the prophetic fulfillment at Bethel.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to emphasize the significance of Josiah's actions. A prominent device is **Parallelism**, specifically in the phrase "did to them according to all the acts that he had done in Bethel." This creates a strong parallel between Josiah's comprehensive destruction of idolatry in Samaria and his earlier, detailed desecration of Jeroboam's altar and high place at Bethel (2 Kings 23:15-18). This parallelism underscores the consistency, thoroughness, and radical nature of Josiah's reforms across the entire land. Furthermore, the narrative implicitly highlights **Prophetic Fulfillment**. While not explicitly stated in this verse, the actions at Bethel, which serve as the model for Samaria, were prophesied centuries earlier by the man of God to Jeroboam I in [1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-1-2 "1 Kings 13:1-2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar"), demonstrating God's sovereign control over history and the certainty of His word. The sweeping nature of "all the houses... in the cities of Samaria" may also contain an element of **Hyperbole**, serving to emphasize the comprehensive and radical extent of Josiah's cleansing, signifying a total eradication of the idolatrous infrastructure rather than a precise count.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Josiah's radical commitment to spiritual purity, extending even into the historically apostate territory of Samaria, underscores a profound theological truth: God's absolute holiness demands exclusive worship. Idolatry is not merely a ritual error or a cultural practice; it is a direct affront to God's sovereignty, a breach of covenant, and an act that "provokes the LORD to anger." This verse illustrates God's unwavering condemnation of anything that competes for His rightful place in the hearts of His people. While Judah's ultimate fate of exile was sealed due to generations of persistent sin, Josiah's reforms represent a powerful, albeit temporary, moment of national repentance and a demonstration of God's grace in providing a path back to covenant faithfulness, even when the consequences of sin were imminent. It highlights that true spiritual revival involves a thorough dismantling of all that offends God and a passionate pursuit of His glory alone.

* [Deuteronomy 12:2-3](/deuteronomy/12-2-3 "Deuteronomy 12:2-3 - Destroying Idolatrous Sites")
* [Psalm 78:58](/psalms/78-58 "Psalm 78:58 - Provoking God to Anger with High Places")
* [Ezekiel 6:3-6](/ezekiel/6-3-6 "Ezekiel 6:3-6 - Prophecy against Idolatrous High Places")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Josiah's unwavering zeal for God's purity of worship serves as a powerful and enduring example for believers today. While we are not called to physically tear down altars, the principle of dismantling "high places" remains acutely relevant. Our "high places" are anything that competes for our ultimate devotion to God, anything that subtly or overtly displaces Him from His rightful supremacy in our lives. This can manifest as materialism, self-reliance, the pursuit of worldly approval, comfort, career, or even seemingly good things that become idols when they usurp God's place. Just as Josiah sought to cleanse the land from spiritual impurity, we are called to a continuous process of spiritual cleansing, examining our hearts and minds to identify and eradicate anything that "provokes the LORD to anger." This requires a radical, uncompromising commitment to undivided loyalty to the one true God, a transformation of mind and heart that leads to lives of genuine worship and obedience, continually discerning and dismantling the idols of our hearts and culture.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "high places" or competing loyalties exist in my own life that subtly or overtly provoke God's displeasure?**
* **How can I cultivate the same uncompromising zeal for God's exclusive worship that King Josiah demonstrated in his reforms?**
* **In what ways does my community or culture subtly promote "idolatry," and how am I called to respond with spiritual conviction and action?**

### FAQ

**Why did Josiah extend his reforms into Samaria, which was no longer part of Judah?**

Answer: Josiah's actions in Samaria were multifaceted. Historically, the decline of the Assyrian Empire created a power vacuum, allowing Judah a degree of autonomy it hadn't experienced in centuries. Theologically, Josiah, driven by the rediscovered Book of the Law, understood himself as the legitimate king over all the land promised to Abraham, encompassing both Judah and the former Northern Kingdom. His zeal for Yahweh's exclusive worship meant that the entire land, regardless of political boundaries, needed to be cleansed of idolatry. This also served as a powerful symbolic act, reasserting a unified Israelite identity under Yahweh and fulfilling ancient prophecies, particularly concerning Bethel ([1 Kings 13:1-2](/1_kings/13-1-2 "1 Kings 13:1-2 - Prophecy against Jeroboam's Altar")).

**What was the significance of Bethel in this context?**

Answer: Bethel held immense significance as the primary cultic center established by Jeroboam I ([1 Kings 12:28-33](/1_kings/12-28-33 "1 Kings 12:28-33 - Jeroboam's Idolatry at Bethel")) as an alternative to Jerusalem, specifically designed to prevent Northern Israelites from returning to the Davidic dynasty and the true worship of Yahweh. It became the epitome of Northern Kingdom apostasy and a symbol of national rebellion against God. Josiah's thorough destruction and desecration of Bethel, as detailed in 2 Kings 23:15-18, was a powerful symbolic act of undoing centuries of sin and fulfilling the prophecy made against Jeroboam's altar. By mirroring these actions in other cities of Samaria, Josiah underscored the comprehensive nature of his reform and the extent of God's judgment against idolatry.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Josiah's radical reforms, though unparalleled in Israelite history, ultimately proved to be temporary and external, unable to fundamentally change the hearts of the people or avert the coming judgment of exile. They foreshadowed a greater, more profound cleansing that would be accomplished by Jesus Christ. Jesus is the ultimate King, whose reign brings about not just external reform but internal transformation. He does not merely destroy physical high places, but purifies the human heart, which is the true temple of God ([1 Corinthians 6:19](/1_corinthians/6-19 "1 Corinthians 6:19 - Your Body, a Temple of the Holy Spirit")). Through His perfect sacrifice on the cross, Christ definitively removed the sin that provokes God's anger, offering a complete and final atonement ([Hebrews 9:26](/hebrews/9-26 "Hebrews 9:26 - Christ's Sacrifice to Put Away Sin")). Unlike Josiah's reforms, which were limited by human imperfection and the persistent sinfulness of the people, Christ establishes a new covenant where true worship is no longer tied to physical locations or rituals, but is offered in spirit and truth ([John 4:23-24](/john/4-23-24 "John 4:23-24 - Worship in Spirit and Truth")). He is the true and greater Josiah, whose redemptive work makes us new creations ([2 Corinthians 5:17](/2_corinthians/5-17 "2 Corinthians 5:17 - New Creation in Christ")), enabling us to live lives of undivided loyalty and offer pure, acceptable worship to God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI 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.