2 Kings 23:1-25

23:2-3 | This reading of the Book of the Covenant was similar to readings by Moses (Ex. 24:3-8) and Joshua (Josh. 8:34-35). Once the words were heard, both leader and people responded publicly with repentance and covenant renewal. Scrolls were the books of antiquity.

23:3 | Pillar likely refers to one of the two large columns at the temple’s entrance (1 Kgs. 7:21) and suggests an authoritative location from which the king acted. This is where Joash stood when he was crowned king (11:14).

23:4-25 | After hearing the Word of God, Josaih purged Israel of all vestiges of idolatry, from north to south (Geba to Beersheba). He brought out, tore down, burned, removed, defiled, broke, cut down, crushed, or put away every worship article, image, site, tomb, and shrine; and last, he executed all the priests of the high places. The comprehensiveness of the language in this section reveals how vile the worship in Judah had become.

23:7-8 | Perverted persons were cultic prostitutes conducting their perversions on the temple grounds.

23:16-18 | The story of the man of God and the prophet from Samaria is told in 1 Kings 13.

23:24 | Consulting mediums and communicating with the dead were acts of rebellion (Lev. 19:31; 20:27) that accompanied Judah’s idolatry. Idolatry disappeared when revival and restoration came to Israel.