King Josiah Reforms

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that the two versions of King Josiah's reforms in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 are similar, at least in the beginning. The version in Chronicles adds a second story concerning the keeping of the Passover. The author points out that both tales depict King Josiah as a great reformer, a king who restored the true traditions of Israel and who faithfully followed the precepts of God. The paper relates that both versions dwell on Josiah's actions in wiping out paganism; Josiah avails himself of every possible means to completely and totally erase from view objects and symbols of error.

From the Paper:

"The stories of King Josiah's reign that are found in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles agree in their condemnation of bad practices. They agree too, in the need for God's order to be maintained and in the necessity of those who are charged with setting a good example to set such a good example. The second version adds to the original story only because the author feels that he must, as evidently the people of Israel have slipped even further from the righteous path. It made sense to him to include an accurate description of the celebration of Passover in the story of a King who was already widely believed to be especially holy and especially committed to the propagation of God's truth. Thus, these two versions of the same story differ because their intended audiences differ."

More papers on King Josiah Reforms:

• Comparison Essay # 73571 : "The Story Of King Josiah"
• Essay # 44582 : "Josiah's Reform"
• Analytical Essay # 119804 : "The Destruction of the Body Politic in "King Lear"

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