Who Was King Josiah in the Bible?

Josiah became king of Judah at the age of eight, following the assassination of his father Amon. In the eighth year of his reign, while still a youth, he began to seek after the God of David his father. In his twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry — high places, Asherim, carved images, and altars to Baal. In his eighteenth year, he ordered repairs to the temple, and during the restoration the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. When it was read to Josiah, he tore his clothes in repentance and sought the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed God's judgment on Judah but promised Josiah would not see the destruction because his heart was tender. Josiah celebrated the greatest Passover since the days of the judges. Tragically, he died at age thirty-nine, killed in battle against Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo. Josiah is remembered as the most righteous king of Judah — a man who loved God's Word and led a nation back to covenant faithfulness.