Bible Commentaries

2 CHRONICLES CHAPTER 34

Josiah’s good reign, 2 Chronicles 34:1,2. He destroyeth idolatry, 2 Chronicles 34:3-7. He repairs the temple, 2 Chronicles 34:8-13. The book of the law found, 2 Chronicles 34:14-22. Huldah prophesieth the destruction of Jerusalem, 2 Chronicles 34:23-28. Josiah’s covenant with God, 2 Chronicles 34:29-33.

Of this chapter, see the notes on 2Ki 22 2Ki 23.

While he was yet young; in the sixteenth year of his age, when he was entering into the age and state of temptations and youthful lusts, and had the administration of his kingdom wholly in his own hand and power and none to rebuke or restrain him; yet even then he begins to be religious in good earnest.

Even unto Naphtali; which was in the utmost and northern borders of the kingdom of Israel. For it must be remembered that the ten tribes were now gone into captivity; and those who were come in their stead were weak and few, and not able to withstand the power of Josiah.

The land and the house; the house of God, called the house by way of eminency.

i.e. The Levites, who had gone abroad through all Josiah’s kingdom to gather money for this good use, and now came with it to Jerusalem, to lodge it in the treasuries of the Lord’s house.

To floor the houses, i.e. the chambers joining on the temple, or within the courts.

Or, all these here named were skilful in instruments of music; which may be here mentioned, either to their commendation, that they were fit for and careful and diligent in this employment, wherewith they were now intrusted, no less than in their own proper work; or to intimate, that as they were skilful, so they were exercised in both their employments, and did successively oversee the work, and praised God with their voices and instruments for his gracious and powerful help in carrying on the work.

To stand to it; to own or maintain it, or persist in it, as this phrase is used, Deuteronomy 25:1. He caused them to engage themselves by an oath or covenant, that they would observe and obey the laws of God, as his godly predecessors had formerly done, and which indeed they were before obliged to do. They complied with God’s and the king’s command, as to the outward acts of God’s worship, though not with an upright heart, as appears by the history.