See Monday, Aug. 31, 2026 for the explanation of this 2-week limited series in 2 Kings.
2 Kings 23 Chapter Summary
Breakdown:
1-3 Josiah calls the nation to hear the Book of the Covenant and follow the Lord
4-7 Josiah had the idols removed and destroyed from the house of the Lord, and its priests banned.
8-9 Josiah dealt with the idolatrous priests
10-15 Josiah dealt with the items of worship for various idols
16-18 Josiah left alone the bones of the man of God who had prophesied the work of Josiah 19-20 Josiah took away the shines in Samaria and executed its priests
21-23 Josiah commanded the nation to keep the Passover
24-25 He put away those who consulted mediums
26-27 The judgment of the Lord still stands, of removing Judah
28-29 Josiah dies in battle with Egypt
30-34 Jehoahaz became king and Egypt imprisoned him, taxed the land, and made Josiah’s son Eliakim/Jehoiakim king
35-37 Jehoiakim taxed the nation to pay taxes to Egypt, and did evil before the Lord
Comparisons & Contrasts:
- Pharaoh taxed Israel with a heavy debt (vv. 33, 35); Jesus paid the debt completely on Calvary.
- Josiah restored worship (vv. 1-3) and removed idols (vv. 4-7); Jesus purifies hearts and provokes worship in spirit and truth
- Josiah directed the destruction of idols (vv. 10-15); Jesus leads us in victory over sin
- Josiah had idols burned and desecrated (vv. 10-15); Paul counted his earlier works as refuse in favor of obtaining the righteousness of Christ
- Josiah put away those who consulted with mediums (v. 24); Jesus broke the power of Satan
- Jehoahaz did evil and the Pharaoh put him in prison (vv. 32-33); Satan and his false prophets did evil and will be cast into the abyss, then the Lake of Fire
Meaning:
This chapter not only shows what true repentance looks like (see also 2 Cor. 7:9-11), it shows us what it looks like to act wholeheartedly. Toppling a few little idols, defrocking a few priests, knocking over several high places, then going back to adding plaster to a crumbling temple just wouldn’t do. How are we tending to the will of God, to partner with Him to accomplish the high vision to which He calls His people?
I’m afraid too many Christians think of repentance merely as “stop doing bad things.” But true repentance aims to put Christ and His will front and center by means of the Word of God. The Spirit’s work is to turn the whole being to be at His beck and call to be led by the Spirit. Just read again the opening to John 3 and see the serious link between being born again and led by the Spirit. This is what salvation looks like according to Jesus.
Application:
Memory Verse:
