23:1-3
The word from the prophet was apparently bad news, but Josiah did not despair. Instead he went up to the temple of the Lord, gathered all the people of Jerusalem and the priests and prophets, and read the word of the Lord to them. He then renewed the covenant committing them to keeping the commands of God. Unlike most previous kings he directed the people towards the Lord, not to idols.
23:4-20
Josiah ordered the removal of everything associated with idol worship. He also dealt with the high places. Every vestige of idol worship was removed., Torpeth, where child sacrifice was carried out, was desecrated. Josiah was very thorough in what he did. He killed many of the priests. The effects of idolatry had spread into many areas of the land, and so determined steps were necessary. However, Josiah also displayed respect for the faithful prophets.
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