Bible Commentaries

A Talk to Boys and Girls

2 Kings 22:1-2

Two verses, and yet that is a miniature of the good King Josiah, in which six things are told us about him.

I. He Made an Early Start.—He was eight years old when he began to reign. These duties were laid upon him when he was quite a young boy and the first thing we learn from him is to make an early start.

II. He Had a Very Long Race.—He reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. It is not enough to make an early start; we want to run a long race, keeping it up from the beginning to the very end.

III. He Kept a Straight Course; he turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

IV. "His Mother's Name was Jedidah."—Why is it her name is given? It is evident her name is given as an explanation of his early good life.

V. Josiah Followed a Good Leader.—He "walked in all the way of David, his father". David had run that race before him, and had run that race well, and in him Josiah followed a good example. How you live will depend very much on what examples you choose to follow.

VI. Josiah Knew There was a Great Spectator present at the race Who had His eye upon him, even God. He did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord. He knew that God was near, and was watching, and that, no doubt, helped him in many an hour of trial, and strengthened him for many a burden of duty.

—A. E. Garvie, The Christian World Pulpit, vol. LXIII. p349.

References.—XXII:8.—R. Scott, Oxford University Sermons, p325. XXII:8-20.—A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture—2Kings from chap. viii. p60. XXII:19 , 20.—"Plain Sermons" by contributors to the Tracts for the Times, vol. v. p227. XXV:1-12.—A. Maclaren, Expositions of Holy Scripture—2Kings from chap. viii. p66. XXV:27-29.—J. M. Neale, Sermons for the Church Year, vol. ii. p1. XXV:30 (R. V.).—J. E. Wakerley, Christian World Pulpit, vol. lxvi1904 , p147.