Josiah

The boy king who found the book of the law

Also written: Josias (Greek form, Matthew 1:10)

Place in the genealogy

Matthew · name 28 · Abraham forward to JesusFrom David to the exile: the monarchyMatthew 1:10

Where Scripture records this person

2 Kings 22:1-20The book is found and read to him; he tears his clothes.
2 Kings 23:1-25The covenant renewed, the idols destroyed, the Passover kept.
2 Chronicles 34-35The fuller account, including his death at Megiddo.

Who this person is in Scripture

Josiah becomes at eight years old. During repairs the book of the law is found, and when it is read to him he tears his clothes, because he understands what it says about a people who have not kept it. What follows is the most thorough reform in Judah's history.

Scripture is honest that the reform did not stop the exile. God tells Josiah that the judgement will come, but not in his days, because his heart was tender.

Family, as Scripture gives it

Father: Amon
Children: Jehoiakim, Jeconiah's father in Matthew's summary

Matthew 1:11 moves from Josiah to Jeconiah, passing over Jehoiakim, whom 2 Kings 23:34 names between them.

What this teaches

He heard Scripture read, it applied to him, and acted the same day.

Read in the Bible

Back to the genealogy of Jesus