Who Was King Josiah in the Bible — In Biblical Context
Josiah was the sixteenth king of Judah, who began seeking God at age eight and initiated the greatest religious reform since Solomon's temple.
Josiah was the sixteenth king of Judah, who began seeking God at age eight and initiated the greatest religious reform since Solomon's temple.
"And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it." — 2 Kings 22:8 (KJV)
The Biblical Context
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.
Where It Sits in Scripture
The core passage for this question, 2 Kings 22:8, sits inside 2 Kings 22. To grasp the full meaning, read the surrounding paragraph — the verses before set up the thought, the verses after carry it forward.
"And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it."
Supporting Passages
"And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him."
"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."
Explore this question from another angle
Related Reading
Continue your study with related content from across our library:
Who Was Josiah in the Bible?
People & Characters
Who Was Melchizedek in the Bible?
People & Characters
Who Was Abraham in the Bible?
People & Characters
Bible Characters Quiz
Patriarchs, prophets, kings, and disciples — how well do you know them?
Bible Verses About Dealing with Difficult People
10 curated KJV verses
Psalm 116:15 Commentary
In-depth study • God's Love for His People
Keep Going
Continue Exploring Scripture
You've found one resource — here are more ways to go deeper into God's Word.
Today's Verse
Start each day with a hand-picked KJV verse and reflection.
Verses by Topic
Find what the Bible says about love, anxiety, strength, and 500+ more topics.
Bible Miracles
Discover the signs and wonders of God recorded in Scripture.
Angels & Spiritual Warfare
Angels, demons, and the armor of God — what the KJV really teaches about the unseen battle.
Bible Genealogies & Family Trees
Visual KJV family trees — the line of Jesus, the sons of Noah, the twelve tribes, and more.
Women of the Bible
Eve, Sarah, Ruth, Esther, Mary — the matriarchs, prophetesses, queens, and disciples of Scripture.