2 Kings 23:25

ΒΆ And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there [any] like him.

And like unto him was there no king {H4428} before {H6440} him, that turned {H7725} to the LORD {H3068} with all his heart {H3824}, and with all his soul {H5315}, and with all his might {H3966}, according to all the law {H8451} of Moses {H4872}; neither after {H310} him arose {H6965} there any like him.

No previous king was like him; because he turned to ADONAI with all his heart, with all his being and with all his power, in accordance with all the Torah of Moshe; nor did any king like him arise afterwards.

Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses.

And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.

Commentary

2 Kings 23:25 stands as a powerful commendation of King Josiah, marking him as a truly exceptional ruler in Judah's history. This verse declares that no king before or after him matched his complete devotion to the LORD, characterized by wholehearted obedience to the Law of Moses. It highlights his unique commitment to God's covenant principles amidst widespread idolatry and spiritual decline.

Context of King Josiah's Reign

King Josiah ascended to the throne of Judah at the tender age of eight (see 2 Kings 22:1), following the wicked reigns of his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon. For generations, Judah had plunged into deep idolatry, even practicing child sacrifice and erecting pagan altars within the Temple itself. Josiah's reign marked a dramatic turning point, often referred to as a great spiritual revival or reformation.

The catalyst for this profound change was the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) during repairs of the Temple. Upon hearing its words, Josiah was deeply convicted, tearing his clothes in repentance and immediately initiating sweeping reforms. He purged the land of idolatry, tore down pagan altars, defiled high places, and restored the proper worship of the LORD, including the celebration of the Passover (see 2 Kings 23:21-23).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Unparalleled Devotion: The verse emphasizes Josiah's unique commitment: "with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might." This comprehensive devotion echoes the central command of the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5), which Jesus later affirmed as the greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37). It signifies a complete, unreserved surrender to God.
  • Obedience to the Law: Josiah's reformation was not based on personal preference but on strict adherence "according to all the law of Moses." His actions demonstrated a profound reverence for God's revealed word and a commitment to restoring national life in alignment with divine commands.
  • Covenant Faithfulness: Josiah actively sought to renew the covenant between God and His people, leading by example in repentance and obedience. His reign represents a powerful, though ultimately temporary, return to covenant faithfulness for Judah.
  • Divine Commendation: The statement "neither after him arose there [any] like him" serves as a divine testament to Josiah's exceptional righteousness and the sincerity of his efforts, distinguishing him from all other kings of Judah and Israel.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might" is a direct translation of the Hebrew phrase b'chol levav'cha u'v'chol nafshecha u'v'chol me'odecha, found in Deuteronomy 6:5. The word for "might" (ΧžΦ°ΧΦΉΧ“ / me'od) can also imply "very much" or "exceedingly," suggesting a devotion that goes beyond mere physical strength, encompassing all of one's resources, energy, and intensity. This tri-fold emphasis highlights the total and comprehensive nature of Josiah's commitment to God.

Practical Application

Josiah's example in 2 Kings 23:25 offers enduring lessons for believers today:

  • Wholehearted Commitment: True faith requires more than partial effort; it demands our entire being – intellect, emotion, will, and strength. We are called to love God without reservation.
  • Responsiveness to Scripture: Like Josiah, we should allow God's Word to profoundly impact us, leading to repentance and transformative obedience in our lives. The discovery of scripture should always lead to a desire for greater conformity to God's will.
  • Influence of Leadership: Josiah's actions demonstrate the profound impact that even one devoted leader can have on a community or nation, inspiring widespread spiritual renewal.
  • The Standard of Righteousness: This verse sets a high standard for what it means to truly follow the LORD, emphasizing not just outward acts but an inner disposition of complete devotion.

Josiah's reign, though ending tragically, stands as a testament to the power of one individual's sincere devotion to God, influencing an entire nation for a season and earning him a unique place in biblical history.

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 β€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 18:5

    He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor [any] that were before him.

  • Jeremiah 29:13

    And ye shall seek me, and find [me], when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

  • John 1:17

    For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

  • 2 Kings 23:3

    And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all [their] heart and all [their] soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.

  • 1 Kings 8:48

    And [so] return unto thee with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies, which led them away captive, and pray unto thee toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, the city which thou hast chosen, and the house which I have built for thy name:

  • Deuteronomy 6:5

    And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.

  • John 7:19

    Did not Moses give you the law, and [yet] none of you keepeth the law? Why go ye about to kill me?
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