And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the LORD their God. And all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
took away
2 Chronicles 34:3-7 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images…
2 Kings 23:4-20 And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, and the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the door, to bring forth out of the temple of the LORD all the vessels that were made for Baal, and for the grove, and for all the host of heaven: and he burned them without Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried the ashes of them unto Bethel…
the abominations
1 Kings 11:5-7 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites…
all his days
Joshua 24:31 And Israel served the LORD all the days of Joshua, and all the days of the elders that overlived Joshua, and which had known all the works of the LORD, that he had done for Israel.
Jeremiah 3:10 And yet for all this her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto me with her whole heart, but feignedly, saith the LORD.
Hosea 6:4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.
from following [heb] from after
and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God
Josiah's reforms were not merely personal but national, enforcing a return to the worship of Yahweh. This echoes the covenant renewal ceremonies seen in the Old Testament, such as those led by Joshua (Joshua 24:14-25). Josiah's leadership is reminiscent of the kingship ideal in Deuteronomy 17:18-20, where the king is to lead the people in obedience to God's law. His actions prefigure the messianic role of Christ, who calls all to serve God (Matthew 4:10).
Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD
This phrase highlights the effectiveness and sincerity of Josiah's reforms. It suggests a period of spiritual revival and national obedience to God, similar to the reforms under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29-31). The steadfastness of the people during Josiah's reign contrasts with the frequent apostasy seen in Israel's history, as recorded in the books of Kings and Chronicles. This period of faithfulness can be seen as a fulfillment of the blessings promised in Deuteronomy 28 for obedience to God's commands.
the God of their fathers
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of faith from the patriarchs to Josiah's time. It underscores the covenant relationship established with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 3:15). Josiah's reforms are a return to the worship of the God who delivered Israel from Egypt and established them in the Promised Land. This continuity is a central theme in the Old Testament, pointing to the faithfulness of God despite Israel's frequent unfaithfulness. It also foreshadows the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ, who fulfills the promises made to the patriarchs (Luke 1:72-73).
Josiah’s first action is both sweeping and specific: every idol, shrine, and pagan practice is uprooted.
• 2 Kings 23:4-15 records the same cleansing—burned articles of Baal, tore down the “high places,” even desecrated Topheth so child sacrifice would cease.
• This echoes God’s command in Deuteronomy 12:2-3 to “destroy all the places where the nations… served their gods.” Josiah obeys to the letter, showing faith that blessing follows obedience.
• By targeting “all the lands,” he refuses partial reform. A half-cleaned heart soon fills again (Matthew 12:43-45). Josiah illustrates wholehearted devotion, modeling the first commandment (Exodus 20:3).
Reformation moves from removal to positive commitment.
• Like Joshua’s “choose this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15), Josiah calls the nation to covenant loyalty.
• Leadership matters: Proverbs 29:2 says, “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice.” Josiah’s personal revival becomes national renewal.
• The king “required” service; yet 2 Chronicles 34:31 shows the people willingly “covenanted” to obey. Genuine reform involves both accountability and willing hearts (Nehemiah 10:28-29).
• “Their God” reminds Israel of personal relationship, not mere ritual. Hosea 2:23 foretold, “You are My people,” and Josiah pushes them to live that identity.
The fruit of reform is enduring faithfulness.
• Previous kings’ revivals faded (e.g., Joash, 2 Chronicles 24:2,17). Josiah’s stands out: as long as he lived, the nation stayed true.
• 2 Chronicles 20:32 praises Jehoshaphat for walking “in the ways of Asa his father.” Likewise, Josiah secures a legacy for future generations, illustrating Psalm 78:4-7—passing faith “so the next generation would know.”
• Continuity with “the God of their fathers” ties present obedience to historical faith—Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David. God’s promises are trustworthy across centuries (Genesis 17:7; 2 Samuel 7:16).
• Yet the faithfulness is time-limited: “throughout his reign.” After Josiah’s death, the nation slips again (2 Kings 23:31-37). Personal commitment must be renewed in every generation (Judges 2:10).
2 Chronicles 34:33 celebrates a king who tears out idolatry, calls his people to covenant service, and secures sustained devotion during his lifetime. The verse spotlights three truths: wholehearted obedience demands thorough cleansing, godly leadership can compel and inspire national faithfulness, and genuine revival bears lasting fruit—though every generation must choose afresh to walk with “the LORD, the God of their fathers.”
(33) And Josiah took away all the abominations.--Of idolatry.Out of all the countries . . . Israel.--Out of the territories of the Ten Tribes. The statement glances back to 2Chronicles 34:6, and summarises the account of the abolition of heathenish worships, which follows here in 2Kings 23:4-20.
And made . . . to serve, even to serve.--And made to serve . . . so as to serve; a unique phrase. The style of the verse is the chronicler's.
All his days they departed not.--The king's will secured an outward conformity to the legitimate cultus, and open idolatry was for the time being a peril too serious to be thought of. But the unreality of these reformations by royal mandate is proved by the relapse which immediately followed upon the death of Josiah. The moral corruption which at this epoch was preying upon the vitals of the nation, and hurrying it swiftly to destruction, is revealed in the pathetic pages of the prophet Jeremiah. (See Jeremiah 11:1-23; Jeremiah 13:27; Jeremiah 16:20; Jeremiah 17:1-2, &c.) . . .
Verse 33. - The parallel (2 Kings 23:4-20) gives some succinct account of Josiah's removal of abominations, here glanced at so briefly.