Scripture to Read: 2 Kings 22:1–2
The book of 2 Kings is all about the failures of the kings who ruled Israel and Judah, which eventually led to their exile because of God’s judgment on the nation. God used Jeremiah and other unnamed prophets to record the book of 2 Kings. In 2 Kings 1–13, God had Jeremiah record the ministry of the prophet Elisha and the nation of Israel’s continued decline under the godless kings who ruled at the time. The kings of Judah and Israel led the people into idolatry and corruption, which ultimately led to the destruction of the nation, as God brought His judgment upon them. In 2 Kings 14–17, God had Jeremiah and other prophets record the continued decline of both kingdoms, Israel and Judah, which ultimately led to Israel’s conquest by Assyria in 722 BC. Then, in 2 Kings 18–25, God had Jeremiah and other prophets lay out the history of the kings of Judah. Two kings of Judah, Hezekiah and Josiah, sought to turn the nation back to God. We find in 2 Kings 22:1 that “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.” We also read in 2 Kings 22:2, “He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left.” Josiah was uncompromising in his obedience to God and His Word. Josiah chose to be a faithful follower of God with zero hesitation—this is the type of follower of Christ we must be daily.
Challenge & Application
What caused the spiritual decline of the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, and what does it teach us about the leaders we choose to follow?
What type of king was Josiah, and what example does he give us to follow?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!