2 Kings 23:28

KJV

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, [are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

KJV (with Strong's)

Now the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Josiah {H2977}, and all that he did {H6213}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the chronicles {H1697}{H3117} of the kings {H4428} of Judah {H3063}?

Complete Jewish Bible

Other activities of Yoshiyahu and all his accomplishments are recorded in the Annals of the Kings of Y'hudah.

Berean Standard Bible

As for the rest of the acts of Josiah, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah?

American Standard Version

Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse serves as a customary concluding formula for King Josiah's reign, directing the reader to external, more detailed historical annals for a comprehensive account of his actions. It underscores the biblical narrative's selective focus on theological and spiritual lessons, while simultaneously affirming its historical grounding in verifiable records of the Judean monarchy, preparing the audience for the subsequent tragic events that lead to Judah's exile.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the tragic account of King Josiah's death in battle at Megiddo against Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, detailed in [2 Kings 23:29-30](/2_kings/23-29 "2 Kings 23:29-30 - Josiah's Death at Megiddo"). It marks the end of the narrative summary of his reign, which began in [2 Kings 22:1](/2_kings/22-1 "2 Kings 22:1 - Josiah Becomes King") and highlighted his unparalleled commitment to covenant fidelity. The preceding verses ([2 Kings 23:25-27](/2_kings/23-25 "2 Kings 23:25-27 - God's Judgment Despite Josiah's Righteousness")) lament that despite Josiah's profound reforms and personal righteousness, God's wrath against Judah's long history of idolatry and Manasseh's egregious sins would not be averted. Therefore, [2 Kings 23:28](/2_kings/23-28 "2 Kings 23:28 - Reference to Josiah's Chronicles") acts as a formal literary transition, closing the account of one of Judah's most righteous kings before the narrative shifts to the rapid decline under his successors, leading to the Babylonian exile.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned from 640-609 BC, a period of significant geopolitical flux. The Assyrian Empire, which had long dominated the Near East, was in decline, creating a power vacuum that allowed Judah a brief window of independence and religious reform. Josiah seized this opportunity, initiating widespread religious reforms after the discovery of the [Book of the Law](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law") in the Temple. His reforms included the destruction of idolatrous altars and practices throughout Judah and even into the former northern kingdom of Israel, and the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. The reference to "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" points to the common practice in ancient Near Eastern monarchies of maintaining official court annals or state records. These chronicles were meticulously kept by royal scribes, documenting significant events, decrees, and the "acts" of kings, serving as primary historical sources for the kingdom.

* **Key Themes:** This concluding formula contributes to several key themes within the books of Kings. Firstly, it reinforces the **historicity and verifiability** of the biblical narrative, grounding it in real events and accessible records, even if those records are no longer extant. The consistent use of this refrain throughout Kings (e.g., [1 Kings 14:29](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Rehoboam's Chronicles"), [2 Kings 24:5](/2_kings/24-5 "2 Kings 24:5 - Jehoiakim's Chronicles")) underscores the authors' reliance on and appeal to external historical documentation. Secondly, it highlights the **selective nature of biblical history**, demonstrating that the biblical authors were not aiming for an exhaustive historical encyclopedia but rather a theologically driven narrative, focusing on God's covenant relationship with Israel and Judah. Finally, it subtly emphasizes **God's sovereignty over history**, as even the meticulous record-keeping of human scribes ultimately serves His broader purposes in preserving the story of His people and their leaders. Josiah's legacy, though cut short, is framed as a beacon of righteousness, as his "acts" were unparalleled since David, as noted in [2 Kings 23:25](/2_kings/23-25 "2 Kings 23:25 - Josiah's Unparalleled Righteousness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chronicles (Hebrew, _divrei hayyamim'_):** Literally meaning "matters of the days" or "daily records," this term refers to official state annals or royal archives maintained by scribes in the Judean court. These were not the canonical books of Chronicles we have today, but the original source documents from which both Kings and Chronicles drew their historical information. The phrase emphasizes the detailed, ongoing nature of these historical accounts, serving as a comprehensive repository of royal activities and events.
* **Acts (Hebrew, _devarim'_):** While often translated as "acts," the Hebrew word _devarim_ (plural of _davar_) can mean "words," "matters," "affairs," or "deeds." In this context, it encompasses the totality of Josiah's reign: his policies, reforms, military campaigns, and all significant events and decisions. It implies a full and multifaceted record of his kingship, beyond what the biblical narrative chooses to highlight.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did,"**: This opening clause serves as a comprehensive summary statement, indicating that the biblical account has presented a selection of Josiah's deeds, but there is a larger, more complete record of "all that he did." It acknowledges the vastness of a king's reign and the editorial choices made by the biblical author.
* **"[are] they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"**: This rhetorical question functions as an affirmative statement, asserting that the detailed information about Josiah's reign is indeed preserved in the official royal archives. It directs the reader to a known, authoritative source, lending credibility to the biblical narrative by grounding it in verifiable historical records accessible to the original audience. It also implies that the biblical account is not exhaustive but authoritative in its chosen focus.

#### Literary Devices
The primary literary device employed in this verse is **Referentiality**, where the text explicitly points to an external source for further information. This is a common feature throughout the books of Kings, creating a sense of historical depth and authenticity. The rhetorical question, "are they not written?", functions as a form of **Apostrophe** or direct address to the reader, engaging them by inviting an obvious affirmative answer and reinforcing the historicity of the narrative. This technique also serves as a **Concluding Formula**, providing a consistent and recognizable pattern for ending the account of each monarch's reign, signaling a transition and the completion of a specific segment of the historical narrative.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This seemingly simple historical note carries significant theological weight, affirming the grounded reality of God's interaction with humanity within verifiable history. It underscores that the biblical narrative is not myth but a divinely inspired account woven into the fabric of real-world events and human governance. The reference to external chronicles highlights God's meticulous oversight of history, where even human record-keeping serves His ultimate purpose in preserving the story of His covenant people. It also implicitly teaches us about the sufficiency of Scripture: while not an exhaustive historical encyclopedia, it provides all that is necessary for faith and practice, selectively presenting what is most crucial for understanding God's character, His covenant, and His redemptive plan.

* [1 Kings 11:41](/1_kings/11-41 "1 Kings 11:41 - Solomon's Chronicles")
* [2 Chronicles 35:26-27](/2_chronicles/35-26 "2 Chronicles 35:26-27 - Josiah's Acts in Chronicles")
* [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Cannot Contain All of Jesus' Deeds")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though a mere historical footnote, invites profound reflection on the nature of truth, history, and divine record-keeping. It assures us that the biblical narrative is not a collection of fables but a divinely inspired account rooted in real events and verifiable records, even if those specific ancient chronicles are no longer extant. For believers, this reinforces trust in the Bible's historical foundation, strengthening our faith in a God who acts decisively within human history. It encourages us to consider the "acts" of our own lives, understanding that while human history may selectively record or forget, all our deeds, words, and even thoughts are known and recorded by God. Just as Josiah's legacy was preserved in both secular and sacred records, our lives contribute to a grander narrative, and our actions have eternal significance. We are called to live lives worthy of remembrance, not for human glory, but in faithful obedience to the God who meticulously oversees all of history.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the Bible's reference to external historical records strengthen your trust in its accuracy and divine inspiration?**
* **If all our "acts" are known to God, how should this awareness shape our daily decisions and priorities?**
* **What kind of "legacy" are you building through your life's "acts," and how does it align with God's purposes?**

### FAQ
**What were "the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah"?**

Answer: "The book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" refers to the official royal annals or state records maintained by the scribes and historians of the Judean court. These were comprehensive, ongoing historical accounts of the reigns of the kings, documenting their significant actions, policies, military campaigns, and other notable events. They were not the canonical books of 1 and 2 Chronicles that we have in our Bibles today, but rather the primary source documents from which the biblical authors of both Kings and Chronicles drew their historical information. Similar records were kept in other ancient Near Eastern kingdoms, serving as official historical archives. The consistent reference to these chronicles throughout the books of Kings (e.g., [1 Kings 14:29](/1_kings/14-29 "1 Kings 14:29 - Rehoboam's Chronicles"), [2 Kings 1:18](/2_kings/1-18 "2 Kings 1:18 - Ahaziah's Chronicles")) underscores the historical grounding of the biblical narrative.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Kings 23:28 is a historical note, it points to a profound truth about divine record-keeping and the ultimate fulfillment of all history in Christ. The meticulous documentation of human kings' reigns, even those as righteous as Josiah, ultimately highlights their limitations and the incompleteness of their "acts" in bringing about ultimate salvation. Josiah's death, despite his faithfulness, underscores that even the best human efforts cannot avert God's righteous judgment against sin, foreshadowing the need for a perfect King whose "acts" would truly redeem. Jesus Christ is the ultimate King whose "acts" are not merely recorded in human chronicles but are eternally significant and exhaustively sufficient. His life, death, and resurrection are the definitive "chronicles" of God's redemptive plan, fully revealed in the Gospels (e.g., [John 20:30-31](/john/20-30 "John 20:30-31 - Purpose of John's Gospel") and [John 21:25](/john/21-25 "John 21:25 - The World Cannot Contain All of Jesus' Deeds")). Unlike earthly kings whose full "acts" require external books, the "acts" of Christ, particularly His atoning sacrifice on the cross and His victorious resurrection, are the complete and final revelation of God's saving power, establishing an eternal kingdom that will never pass away ([Hebrews 1:8](/hebrews/1-8 "Hebrews 1:8 - Christ's Eternal Throne")). He is the true Son of David, whose reign fulfills all the promises of the Old Testament kings, and whose "acts" secure eternal life for all who believe ([Luke 1:32-33](/luke/1-32 "Luke 1:32-33 - Jesus, Son of David, King Forever")).

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.