From Newsgroup: alt.bible

Day 215, 3 August 2025

Today ay <a href="https://www.calvarycommunity.ca"> Calvary Community Church </a>, Pastor Nathan Zeiber spoke on Empower by Truth.

Acts 24

The Case Against Paul (vv 1-9)

I) The World loves falltery more than truth

1 (Ac 23:2; 24:11) After five days Ananias the high priest arrived with some
of the elders and a lawyer named Tertullus. They brought before the governor their charges against Paul.
2 When he was summoned, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, "Since through you we enjoy much peace, and your foresight is bringing reforms
to this nation,
3 (Ac 23:26; 26:25) with all thankfulness, most excellent Felix,
we always welcome it everywhere.
4 But not to detain you further,
I beg you to briefly hear us in your patience.
5 (Ac 28:22; 24:14; 15:5) "We have found this man a troublemaker, instigating riots among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect
of the Nazarenes.
6 He even tried to profane the temple.
So we seized him and wanted to judge him according to our law.


1 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul. 2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done
unto this nation by thy providence,
3 we accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.
4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.
5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:
6 who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took,
and would have judged according to our law.


B) The Truth doesn't need embellishment; it stands on its own.

6 He even tried to profane the temple.
So we seized him and wanted to judge him according to our law.
7 But the commander, Lysias, came to us and forcefully took him
out of our hands,
8 ordering his accusers to come before you. By examining him yourself you
will be able to learn about all these things concerning which we accuse him."
9 The Jews assented, alleging these things to be true.

6 who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took,
and would have judged according to our law.
7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,
8 commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.
9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

Paul's Defense Before Felix (vv 10-23)

C) A clear conscience stands stronger than public opnion.

10 After the governor motioned to him to speak, Paul answered, "Knowing that for many years you have been a judge over this nation, I cheerfully defend myself.
11 (Ac 24:1; 21:18) You may verify that it is no more than twelve days since
I went up to Jerusalem to worship.
12 (Ac 25:8; 28:17) They did not find me in the temple or in the synagogues
or in the city disputing with anyone or stirring up a crowd.
13 (Ac 25:7) They cannot prove the things concerning which they now accuse me.

10 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak,
answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:
11 because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.
12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:
13 neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

The truth we stand ion is bigger than the accusations we face.

14 (Ac 3:13; 9:2) However, I affirm that in accordance with the Way, which
they call a sect, I worship the God of my fathers and believe everything written in the Law and in the Prophets.
15 (Da 12:2; Jn 5:28-29) I have hope in God that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, which they also expect.
16 (Ac 23:1) In this do I always strive to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men.
17 (Gal 2:10; Ac 11:29-30) "Now after many years I came to bring alms
and offerings to my nation,
18 (Ac 26:21) when some Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple,
neither with a crowd nor an uproar.
19 (Ac 23:30) They ought to be here before you to accuse me if they have any charges.
20 Or let these men say what crime they found in me when I stood before the Sanhedrin,
21 (Ac 23:6) unless it is concerning this one statement which I cried out
while standing among them, 'Concerning the resurrection of the dead,
I am being judged by you this day.' "

14 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy,
so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written
in the law and in the prophets:
15 and have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there
shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of
offence toward God, and toward men.
17 Now after many years I came to bring alms to my nation, and offerings.
18 Whereupon certain Jews from Asia found me purified in the temple, neither with multitude, nor with tumult.
19 Who ought to have been here before thee, and object, if they had ought against me.
20 Or else let these same here say, if they have found any evil doing in me, while I stood before the council,
21 except it be for this one voice, that I cried standing among them, Touching the resurrection of the dead I am called in question by you this day.

Delaying the truth doesn't make it go away.

22 When Felix, who had more exact knowledge concerning the Way, had heard
this, he adjourned the proceedings and said, "When Lysias the commander arrives, I will decide your case."
23 (Ac 27:3; 28:16) Then he ordered the centurion to guard Paul,
and to let him have liberty, and to forbid none of his own people from attending to him.

22 And when Felix heard these things, having more perfect knowledge of that way, he deferred them, and said, When Lysias the chief captain shall come
down, I will know the uttermost of your matter.
23 And he commanded a centurion to keep Paul, and to let him have liberty, and that he should forbid none of his acquaintance to minister or come unto him.

Paul Held in Custody (vv 24-27)

24 (Ac 20:21; Gal 2:16) After several days, when Felix arrived with his wife Drusilla, who was a Jewess, he sent for Paul and heard him speak concerning faith in Christ.
25 (Ac 10:42; Gal 5:23) As he lectured about righteousness, self-control,
and the coming judgment, Felix was afraid and answered, "For now, leave!
When time permits, I will send for you."
26 At the same time he hoped that money would be given him by Paul, that he might release him. So he sent for him more often and conversed with him.
27 (Ac 25:9; 25:14; 12:3) But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix. And Felix, desiring to do the Jews a favor, left Paul imprisoned.

24 And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was
a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ.
25 And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come,
Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee.
26 He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him.
27 But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix' room: and Felix,
willing to shew the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.



1) 2 Kings 22,23 , 2 Chronicles 34, 35

2 Kings 22:1-2

Josiah, King of Judah

2Ch 34:1-28

1 (Jos 15:39) Josiah was eight years old when he became king,
and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name
was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.
2 (Dt 5:32; Jos 1:7) He did what was right in the sight of the Lord
and walked in all the ways of David his father.
He did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

[1] Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter
of Adaiah of Boscath.
[2] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in
all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or
to the left.

2 Chronicles 34:1-7

Josiah, King of Judah

2Ki 22:1-7; 23:4-20

1 (Jer 1:2; Zep 1:1) And Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign,
and he was king for thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
2 (2Ch 29:2) And he did what was correct in the eyes of the Lord,
and he walked in the ways of David his father
and did not turn either to the right or left.
3 (2Ch 15:2; 33:22) And in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still
a young boy, he began to seek out the God of David his father;
and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem
from high places, Asherah poles, idols, and carved and cast images.
4 (Ex 32:20; Lev 26:30) So they tore down the altars for the Baals,
and he cut down the incense altars that were above them
and smashed the Asherah poles and carved and cast images.
And he crushed them to dust and scattered them before the graves
of those who sacrificed to them.
5 (1Ki 13:2) Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars
and so cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
6 In the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and as far as Naphtali,
in their ruins all around,
7 (2Ch 31:1; Dt 9:21) he broke down the altars, beat Asherah poles
and the images into powder, and cut down all the incense altars
throughout all the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

[1] Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
[2] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in
the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.
[3] 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.
[4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the
images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
[5] And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed
Judah and Jerusalem.
[6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even
unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about.
[7] And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten
the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

2 Kings 22:3-20

The Book of the Law Found

3 In the eighteenth year of King Josiah the king sent Shaphan
son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the Lord,
saying,
4 (2Ki 12:4) "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and have him prepare the money that has been brought to the house of the Lord, which the keepers
of the threshold have gathered from the people.
5 (2Ki 12:11-14; 12:5) Let them deliver it to the hand of the appointed
workers of the house of the Lord, and let them give it to the workers
who are in the house of the Lord to repair the damages to the house,
6 that is, to the carpenters, the builders, and the masons to buy timber
and cut stone to repair the house.
7 (2Ki 12:15; 1Co 4:2) But there need be no settling of accounts with them concerning the money that was given to their hand,
because they are behaving honestly."
8 (Dt 31:24-26) Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe,
"I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord."
Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9 Then Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king a report.
He said, "Your servants have emptied the money that was found
in the house and have given it into the hand of the appointed workers
of the house of the Lord."
10 (Jer 36:21) Shaphan the scribe informed the king, saying,
"Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." So Shaphan read it before the king. 11 When the king had heard the words of the Book of the Law,
he tore his clothes.
12 (Jer 26:24; 2Ki 25:22) Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest,
Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe,
and Asaiah, a servant of the king, saying,
13 (Dt 29:23-28; 31:17-18) "Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people,
and for all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found,
for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us,
because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book
by doing according to all that is written concerning us."
14 (2Ch 34:22) So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah
went to Huldah the prophetess, wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter),
and they spoke with her.
15 She said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel:
Tell the man that sent you to Me,
16 (Jos 23:15; Da 9:11-14) Thus says the Lord: See, I will bring evil
on this place and on its inhabitants-all the words of the book
that the king of Judah has read.
17 Because they have forsaken Me and have made offerings to other gods,
so that they have provoked Me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore My wrath will be kindled against this place,
and it will not be quenched.
18 But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord,
thus shall you say to him, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel
with regard to the words you have heard:
19 (1Ki 21:29; Ps 51:17) Because your heart was timid,
and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard
what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants,
that they should become a desolation and a curse,
and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me,
I also have heard you, declares the Lord.
20 (Ps 37:37; Isa 57:1-2) Therefore, I will gather you to your fathers,
and you will be gathered to your grave in peace.
Your eyes will not see all the evil which I am about to bring upon this place." Then they brought the king a report.

[3] And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the
house of the LORD, saying,
[4] Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have
gathered of the people:
[5] And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that
have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the
doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches
of the house,
[6] Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn
stone to repair the house.
[7] Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
[8] 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.
[9] And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word
again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that
have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
[10] And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
[11] And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of
the law, that he rent his clothes.
[12] And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of
Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah
a servant of the king's, saying,
[13] Go ye, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all
Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the
wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which
is written concerning us.
[14] So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and
Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in
Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
[15] And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
[16] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and
upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king
of Judah hath read:
[17] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
[18] But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus
shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the
words which thou hast heard;
[19] Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before
the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against
the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse,
and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee,
saith the LORD.
[20] Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt
be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the
evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word
again.

2 Chronicles 34:8-28

8 (2Sa 8:16) In the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged
the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah,
Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz,
the recorder, to repair the house of the Lord his God.
9 (2Ch 30:10; 30:18) When they came to Hilkiah the high priest,
they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God,
which the Levites, the keepers of the door, had collected
from the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and from all the remnant of Israel,
and from all Judah and Benjamin, and from the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
10 And they gave it to those appointed to do the work
in the house of the Lord. And those who were doing the work on the house
gave it to repair and restore the house.
11 (2Ch 33:4-7) And they gave it to the craftsmen and builders to acquire quarried stones and timber for joists and beams for the buildings
that the kings of Judah had ruined.
12 (2Ki 12:15; 1Ch 23:5) So the men did the work faithfully.
Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Le-!vites,
of the sons of Merari, and Zechariah and Meshullam,
of the sons of the Kohathites, as supervisors.
And other Levites, all skillful with musical instruments,
13 (Ne 4:10; 2Ch 2:18) were over those laborers and supervised
all those doing the work in every type of service,
and other Le-!vites were scribes, officials, and gatekeepers.

The Book of the Law Found
2Ki 22:8-20; 23:1-3

14 When they brought out the money that had been given to the house
of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord
from Moses.
15 Then Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan.
16 Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported,
"Everything that has been designated to your servants, they are doing.
17 They have given out the money that was in the house of the Lord
and have allocated to those who are supervisors and those
who are doing the work."
18 Then Shaphan the scribe also declared to the king,
"Hilkiah the priest has given me a book."
And Shaphan read from it to the king.
19 (Jos 7:6) And it happened that when the king heard the words
of the Law, he tore his garments.
20 (2Ki 22:12) Then the king ordered Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan,
Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe,
and Asaiah the attendant of the king:
21 "Go and seek the Lord on my behalf and on the behalf of the remnant
in Israel and Judah concerning what is written in the book that was found,
for the wrath of the Lord that is poured out on us is great
because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord,
to do everything that is written in this book."
22 (Ex 15:20) So Hilkiah and those with the king went
to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath,
son of Hasrah, who kept the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem
in the Second Quarter, and they spoke to her about this.
23 And she said to them, "So says the Lord God of Israel:
Speak to the man who sent you all to Me,
24 (2Ch 36:14-20) Thus says the Lord: I am bringing disaster
on this place and all who dwell in it, even all the curses
that are written in the book that they read before the king of Judah.
25 (Jer 7:20) Because they have abandoned Me
and offered sacrifices to other gods in order to provoke Me
with everything they have made with their hands,
so My rage will be poured out on this place, and it will not be quenched.
26 And the king of Judah who sent you all to seek out the Lord,
so you will speak to him: So says the Lord God of Israel:
The words that you have heard,
27 (2Ch 32:26) because your heart was tender and you humbled
yourself before God when you heard His words against this place
and those who dwell here, and you have brought yourself low
before Me and torn your clothes and wept before Me,
I have heard you, declares the Lord.
28 (2Ch 35:24) I am bringing you to be with your fathers,
and you will be brought to your grave in peace,
and your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing
on this place and on those who dwell here."
So they returned this word to the king.

[8] Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land,
and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor
of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder, to repair the
house of the LORD his God.
[9] And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest, they delivered the money that was brought into the house of God, which the Levites that kept the
doors had gathered of the hand of Manasseh and Ephraim, and of all the
remnant of Israel, and of all Judah and Benjamin; and they returned to Jerusalem.
[10] And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of
the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:
[11] Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone,
and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah
had destroyed.
[12] And the men did the work faithfully: and the overseers of them were
Jahath and Obadiah, the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to set it forward; and other of
the Levites, all that could skill of instruments of musick.
[13] Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all
that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there
were scribes, and officers, and porters.
[14] And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of
the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses.
[15] And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the
book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
[16] And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word
back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it.
[17] And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house
of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to
the hand of the workmen.
[18] Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
[19] And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that
he rent his clothes.
[20] And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and
Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,
[21] Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel
and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is
the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have
not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book. [22] And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah,
keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and
they spake to her to that effect.
[23] And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the
man that sent you to me,
[24] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and
upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the
book which they have read before the king of Judah:
[25] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.
[26] And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the
words which thou hast heard;
[27] Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before
God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD.
[28] Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered
to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.

2 Kings 23:1-20

2 Kings 23

Josiah Renews the Covenant
2Ch 34:3-33; 35:1-36:1

1 Then the king sent them away and they gathered all the elders
of Judah and Jerusalem to him.
2 (2Ki 22:8; Dt 31:10-13) The king went up to the house of the Lord,
and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him,
the priests, the prophets, and all the people, both small and great.
He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant
that was found in the house of the Lord.
3 (2Ki 11:14; 11:17) The king stood by a pillar and made a covenant
before the Lord to follow the Lord, to keep His commandments,
His testimonies, and His statutes with all his heart and all his soul,
to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book.
All the people agreed with the covenant.
4 (2Ki 21:3; 21:7) The king commanded Hilkiah the high priest,
the priests of the second order, and the keepers of the threshold
to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the implements that were
made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven.
Then he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron
and carried their ashes to Bethel.
5 Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah
had ordained to burn incense on the high places at the cities of Judah
and around Jerusalem; those also who burned incense to Baal, to the sun,
to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven.
6 (2Ch 34:4; 2Ki 23:15) He brought out the Asherah from the house of the Lord to the outside of Jerusalem, to the Kidron Valley. Then he burned it
at the Kidron Valley, crushed it to dust, and threw its dust upon
the graves of the people.
7 (1Ki 14:24; 15:12) He tore down the houses of the male cult prostitutes
that were in the house of the Lord, where the women were weaving hangings
for the Asherah.
8 (1Ki 15:22; Jos 21:17) He brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah and defiled the high places where the priests had made offerings, from Geba
to Beersheba. He broke down the high places of the gates at the entry
of the gates of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on the left
at the gate of the city.
9 (Eze 44:10-14) However the priests of the high places did not go up
to the altar of the Lord in Jerusalem. Instead they ate unleavened bread
among their fellow priests.
10 (Isa 30:33; Lev 18:21; Jer 7:31-32) He defiled Topheth, which is
in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no man would make his son
or his daughter pass through the fire to Molek.
11 (Eze 8:16) He removed the horses that the kings of Judah
had given to the sun, at the entry of the house of the Lord,
by the hall of Nathan-Melek the eunuch, which was in the vestibule.
The chariots of the sun he burned with fire.
12 (2Ki 21:5; Jer 19:13) The altars that were on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh
had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord the king tore down
and banished from there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley.
13 (1Ki 11:5; 11:7) The high places east of Jerusalem, south of the Mount
of Corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth
the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Molek the abomination of the Ammonites, the king defiled.
14 (Ex 23:24; Dt 7:5) He broke the standing stones, cut down the Asherah
poles, and filled their sites with human bones.
15 (1Ki 14:16) Moreover, the altar that was at Bethel and the high place
which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made,
both that altar and the high place he tore down. Then he burned the high place and crushed it to powder, and he burned the Asherah.
16 As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mount.
He took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar and defiled it, according to the word of the Lord that the man of God proclaimed,
the one who announced these things.
17 (1Ki 13:1; 13:30-31) Then he said, "What is this monument that I see?"
The men of the city said to him, "It is the tomb of the man of God
who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done
against the altar of Bethel."
18 (1Ki 13:31) He said, "Let him rest. No one shall disturb his bones."
So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet
who came out of Samaria.
19 (2Ch 34:6-7) Moreover, all the houses of the high places that were
in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke
the Lord to anger, Josiah removed. He did to them just
as he had done in Bethel.
20 (2Ki 11:18; Ex 22:20) He slaughtered on the altars all the priests
of the high places who were there, and burned human bones on them.
Then he returned to Jerusalem.

[1] And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah
and of Jerusalem.
[2] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and
the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house
of the LORD.
[3] And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and
his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words
of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
[4] 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.
[5] And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in
the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense unto Baal,
to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of
heaven.
[6] And he brought out the grove from the house of the LORD, without
Jerusalem, unto the brook Kidron, and burned it at the brook Kidron, and stamped it small to powder, and cast the powder thereof upon the graves of
the children of the people.
[7] And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that were by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.
[8] And he brought all the priests out of the cities of Judah, and defiled
the high places where the priests had burned incense, from Geba to
Beer-sheba, and brake down the high places of the gates that were in the entering in of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which were on a man's left hand at the gate of the city.
[9] Nevertheless the priests of the high places came not up to the altar of
the LORD in Jerusalem, but they did eat of the unleavened bread among their brethren.
[10] And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of
Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the
fire to Molech.
[11] And he took away the horses that the kings of Judah had given to the
sun, at the entering in of the house of the LORD, by the chamber of Nathan-melech the chamberlain, which was in the suburbs, and burned the chariots of the sun with fire.
[12] And the altars that were on the top of the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the
two courts of the house of the LORD, did the king beat down, and brake them down from thence, and cast the dust of them into the brook Kidron.
[13] And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had
builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children
of Ammon, did the king defile.
[14] And he brake in pieces the images, and cut down the groves, and filled their places with the bones of men.
[15] Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which
Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he brake down, and burned the high place, and stamped it small to powder, and burned the grove.
[16] And as Josiah turned himself, he spied the sepulchres that were there
in the mount, and sent, and took the bones out of the sepulchres, and burned them upon the altar, and polluted it, according to the word of the LORD
which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words.
[17] Then he said, What title is that that I see? And the men of the city
told him, It is the sepulchre of the man of God, which came from Judah, and proclaimed these things that thou hast done against the altar of Bethel.
[18] And he said, Let him alone; let no man move his bones. So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet that came out of Samaria.
[19] And all the houses also of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the LORD to anger, Josiah took away, and did to them according to all the acts that he had done
in Bethel.
[20] And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there upon the altars, and burned men's bones upon them, and returned to Jerusalem.

2 Chronicles 34:29-33

Josiah Restores True Worship

29 (2Ki 23:1-3) Then the king sent for all the elders of Judah
and Jerusalem.
30 (2Ki 23:2) Then the king went up to the house of the Lord
with men from Judah and those living in Jerusalem,
even the priests and Levites and all the people
from the greatest to the least, and he read within their hearing
all the words of the Book of the Covenant that was found
in the house of the Lord.
31 (2Ch 23:16; 29:10) Then the king stood in his place
and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord,
and to keep His commandments and His testimonies
and His statutes with all his soul, to perform the words
of the covenant written in this book.
32 Then he appointed all who were in Jerusalem and Benjamin
to carry this out, and those living in Jerusalem did according
to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33 (2Ch 34:3-7) So Josiah took away all the detestable things
from the lands that belonged to the people of Israel
and caused all who were found in Israel to serve their Lord God.
And all his days they did not turn away from the Lord God of their fathers.

[29] Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
[30] And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of
Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the Levites,
and all the people, great and small: and he read in their ears all the words
of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of the LORD.
[31] And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD,
to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies,
and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
[32] And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand
to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of
God, the God of their fathers.
[33] 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.

2 Kings 23:21-28

21 (Dt 16:1-8) The king commanded all the people, "Keep the Passover
to the Lord your God as it is written in this Book of the Covenant."
22 For such a Passover had not been kept from the days of the judges
who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel
and the kings of Judah.
23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept
to the Lord in Jerusalem.
24 (Lev 19:31; Ge 31:19; 2Ki 21:6) Moreover, Josiah disposed of the mediums, the soothsayers, the teraphim, the idols, and all the abominations
that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, so that he established the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah
the priest found in the house of the Lord.
25 (2Ki 18:5) Now there had been no king like him before or after,
who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul,
and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses.
26 (2Ki 21:11-13; 24:4) However, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness
of His great wrath, by which His anger was kindled against Judah,
because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him.
27 (2Ki 18:11; 21:13) The Lord said, "I will also remove Judah from before Me, as I have removed Israel. I will reject this city that I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be there."

Josiah Dies in Battle

28 Now the rest of the deeds of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah?

[21] And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto
the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.
[22] Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah;
[23] But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
[24] Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land
of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the
words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest
found in the house of the LORD.
[25] 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.
[26] Notwithstanding the LORD turned not from the fierceness of his great wrath, wherewith his anger was kindled against Judah, because of all the provocations that Manasseh had provoked him withal.
[27] And the LORD said, I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen,
and the house of which I said, My name shall be there.
[28] Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?

2 Kings 23:29-30

29 (Jer 46:2; Jdg 5:19; 2Ch 35:20-24) In his days Pharaoh Necho,
king of Egypt, went up against the king of Assyria to the River Euphrates.
King Josiah went to meet him, but he killed him at Megiddo
when he had seen him.
30 (2Ki 9:28; 2Ch 36:1-4) His servants carried him dead in a chariot
from Megiddo, brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own tomb.
The people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah,
anointed him, and made him king in place of his father.

[29] In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he
slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him.
[30] And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and
brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the
people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and
made him king in his father's stead.

2 Chronicles 35:1-19

2 Chronicles 35

Josiah Celebrates the Passover

2Ki 23:21-23

1 (Ex 12:6; Nu 9:3) Josiah kept a Passover for the Lord in Jerusalem;
they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month.
2 (2Ch 31:2) He appointed priests for their duties and encouraged them
in their service to the house of the Lord.
3 (Dt 33:10; 1Ch 23:26) And he said to the Levites who gave insight to
all Israel and were consecrated to the Lord, "Set the holy ark in the house that Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, built. You should not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel.
4 (2Ch 8:14; 1Ch 23:1-26) Prepare yourselves according to your fathers' houses by your divisions, as instructed in the writing of David, king of Israel,
and the document of Solomon his son.
5 (Ps 134:1) "And stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions
of the fathers' households of your brothers, the laypeople,
and according to the Levites, by division of a father's household.
6 (2Ch 29:5; 29:15) Then slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourselves and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of the Lord
by the hand of Moses."
7 (1Ki 8:63; 2Ch 30:24) Josiah contributed to the laypeople, as Passover offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock
to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls;
these were from the king's possession.
8 (2Ch 29:31-33) His officials contributed willingly to the people,
to the priests, and to the Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel,
the chief officers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings two thousand six hundred lambs and three hundred bulls.
9 Konaniah, his brothers Shemaiah and Nethanel, and Hashabiah,
Jeiel, and Jozabad, officers of the Levites, gave to the Levites
for the Passover offerings five thousand lambs and five hundred bulls.
10 (2Ch 30:16; Ezr 6:18) When the service was prepared, the priests
stood in their places and the Levites in their divisions,
according to the king's command.
11 (2Ch 29:34) And they slaughtered the Passover offerings,
and the priests sprinkled the blood given to them
while the Levites skinned animals.
12 And they set aside the burnt offering to distribute according
to each house of the fathers for the people to bring near to the Lord,
as written in the Book of Moses. And they did the same with the bulls.
13 (Ex 12:8-9; 1Sa 2:13-15) And they cooked the Passover lamb with fire according to the rule, and they cooked the holy offerings in pots, jars,
bowls, and quickly brought them to all the people.
14 Afterward they prepared the offerings for them and the priests
because the priests, the sons of Aaron, offered the burnt offering
and fat portions until night. So the Levites prepared for themselves
and for the priests, the sons of Aaron.
15 (1Ch 9:17-19; 25:1-7) The singers, the sons of Asaph, were in their places according to the command of David, Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun
the king's seer. The gatekeepers were at each of the gates;
they did not need to leave their service, for their brothers the Levites
made preparations for them.
16 So all the service of the Lord was carried out that day to have
the Passover, and to offer the burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord according to the command of King Josiah.
17 (Ex 12:15-20) And the sons of Israel who were pres-!ent had the Passover
at that time and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
18 (2Ki 23:21-23; 2Ch 30:5) And no Passover had been made like this in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. And none of the kings of Israel
had performed a Passover like Josiah had done. And the priests and Levites
and all Judah and Israel were present along with those living in Jerusalem.
19 In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah this Passover was performed.

2 Chronicles 35
[1] Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they
killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.
[2] And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the
service of the house of the LORD,
[3] And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto
the LORD, Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David king
of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders: serve
now
the LORD your God, and his people Israel,
[4] And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your
courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to
the writing of Solomon his son.
[5] And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families
of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites.
[6] So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your
brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses.
[7] And Josiah gave to the people, of the flock, lambs and kids, all for
the
passover offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance.
[8] And his princes gave willingly unto the people, to the priests, and to
the Levites: Hilkiah and Zechariah and Jehiel, rulers of the house of God,
gave unto the priests for the passover offerings two thousand and six
hundred small cattle, and three hundred oxen.
[9] Conaniah also, and Shemaiah and Nethaneel, his brethren, and Hashabiah
and Jeiel and Jozabad, chief of the Levites, gave unto the Levites for
passover offerings five thousand small cattle, and five hundred oxen.
[10] So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and
the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment.
[11] And they killed the passover, and the priests sprinkled the blood from their hands, and the Levites flayed them.
[12] And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give
according to
the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it
is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen.
[13] And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people.
[14] And afterward they made ready for themselves, and for the priests:
because the priests the sons of Aaron were busied in offering of burnt offerings and the fat until night; therefore the Levites prepared for themselves, and for the priests the sons of Aaron.
[15] And the singers the sons of Asaph were in their place, according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer;
and the porters waited at every gate; they might not depart from their
service; for their brethren the Levites prepared for them.
[16] So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according
to the commandment of king Josiah.
[17] And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.
[18] And there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover
as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel
that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
[19] In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept.

The Death of Josiah

2Ki 23:28-30

20 (2Ki 23:29-30; Isa 10:9) After all this when Josiah had prepared
the temple, Necho king of Egypt went up to war in Carchemish
on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to meet him.
21 (2Ki 18:25; 2Ch 25:19) And Necho sent messengers to him saying,
"What is there between you and me, king of Judah?
I am not against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded that I hurry. Refrain from being against God
who is with me so that He does not destroy you."
22 (Jdg 5:19; 2Ch 18:29) But Josiah did not turn away from him for he went
to battle against him disguised. He did not listen to the words of Necho
that came from the mouth of God,
but he came to battle in the plain of Megiddo.
23 (1Ki 22:34) So the archers shot King Josiah, and the king said
to his servants, "Take me away for I am severely wounded."
24 (Zec 12:11) Then his servants took him from the chariot,
and they set him in a second chariot, and they brought him to Jerusalem.
He died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers.
And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
25 (Jer 22:10; La 4:20) And Jeremiah composed a dirge for Josiah,
and all the male and female singers speak of Josiah in their laments
to this day. They set them as a statute over Israel.
They are written in the Laments.
26 And the remainder of the acts of Josiah, his deeds and covenant faithfulness, according to what is written in the Law of the Lord,
27 and his acts from beginning to end are written
in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.

[20] After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of
Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.
[21] But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee,
thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not.
[22] Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.
[23] And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded.
[24] His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died,
and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.
[25] And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the
singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made
them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the
lamentations.
[26] Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,
[27] And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of
the kings of Israel and Judah.

2 Kings 23:31-37

Jehoahaz, King of Judah
2Ch 36:2-4

31 (2Ki 24:18; 1Ch 3:15) Jehoahaz was 23 years old when he became king,
and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
32 (2Ki 21:2-7) He did evil in the sight of the Lord,
according to all that his fathers had done.
33 (1Ki 8:65; 2Ki 25:6) Pharaoh Necho imprisoned him at Riblah
in the land of Hamath, so that he might not reign in Jerusalem,
and imposed tribute on the land of a hundred talents
[About 3 3/4 tons, or 3.4 metric tons.] of silver and a talent
[About 75 pounds, or 34 kilograms.] of gold.
34 (Eze 19:3-4; 2Ki 24:17) Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king
in place of Josiah his father and changed his name to Jehoiakim.
He took Jehoahaz away and went to Egypt, and he died there.
35 (2Ki 23:33) Jehoiakim gave the silver and gold to Pharaoh,
but he taxed the land to give the money according to Pharaoh's demand. According to an assessed amount, he exacted the silver
and gold from the people of the land to give to Pharaoh Necho.

Jehoiakim, King of Judah
2Ch 36:5-8

36 (2Ch 36:5) Jehoiakim was 25 years old when he became king.
He reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zebidah
daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
37 He did evil in the sight of the Lord,
according to all that his fathers had done.

[31] Jehoahaz was twenty and three years old when he began to reign; and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Hamutal, the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah.
[32] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that his fathers had done.
[33] And Pharaoh-nechoh put him in bands at Riblah in the land of Hamath,
that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and put the land to a tribute of an hundred talents of silver, and a talent of gold.
[34] And Pharaoh-nechoh made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim, and took Jehoahaz away: and he came to Egypt, and died there.
[35] And Jehoiakim gave the silver and the gold to Pharaoh; but he taxed the land to give the money according to the commandment of Pharaoh: he exacted
the silver and the gold of the people of the land, of every one according to his taxation, to give it unto Pharaoh-nechoh.
[36] Jehoiakim was twenty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Zebudah, the daughter of Pedaiah of Rumah.
[37] And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that his fathers had done.
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