2 Kings 22 2

2 Kings 22:2 kjv

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 Kings 22:2 nkjv

And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.

2 Kings 22:2 niv

He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

2 Kings 22:2 esv

And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

2 Kings 22:2 nlt

He did what was pleasing in the LORD's sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.

2 Kings 22 verses

2 Kings 22 2 Meaning

King Josiah's reign is introduced with the highest commendation in the Judean kingdom. The verse establishes him as a divinely approved monarch who demonstrated exceptional righteousness and walked in unwavering obedience to the Lord's commands. He completely emulated the faithfulness of his ancestor, King David, without any deviation, distinguishing him significantly from his immediate predecessors and most other kings of Judah.

2 Kings 22 2 Context

This verse introduces King Josiah, setting the stage for his unparalleled reform in Judah. At eight years old, he began to reign after his father, Amon, was assassinated. Amon, and particularly Josiah's grandfather, Manasseh, had led Judah into deep idolatry, reintroducing pagan altars, child sacrifice, and astral worship, even within the Temple precincts. Therefore, Josiah's described devotion is a radical departure and a miraculous testament to God's grace and working. The commendation "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" establishes the divine standard for evaluating kings and directly contrasts with the prevalent apostasy of previous generations, positioning Josiah as Judah's greatest king since David himself. It signals the expectation of covenant faithfulness after a long period of rebellion.

2 Kings 22 2 Word analysis

• And he did: This conjunction and verb link Josiah's action directly to the preceding narrative (his ascending the throne). It signifies a commencement of action that defined his entire reign.
• what was right: hay-yāshār (הַיָּשָׁר) meaning "the straight," "the upright," "the just," or "the correct thing." This refers to actions aligning with God's moral and legal standards, rather than human ethics or societal norms. It emphasizes conformity to divine will.
• in the eyes of the Lord: bəʿeynê Yahweh (בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה) indicates that God Himself was the ultimate judge and approver of Josiah's conduct. It underlines that Josiah's righteousness was recognized and affirmed by the divine, the sole legitimate authority over the king and kingdom.
• and walked: wa-yēleḵ (וַיֵּלֶךְ), an idiomatic Hebrew expression denoting a continuous manner of life, one's behavior, lifestyle, or course of conduct. It's not about a single act but consistent fidelity over time.
• in all the way: bə-ḵol dereḵ (בְּכָל דֶּרֶךְ). Dereḵ refers to a "path" or "road," metaphorically meaning a course of life, an accustomed behavior, or a tradition. "All" emphasizes the completeness and totality of his adherence, allowing no partiality or compromise.
• of David his father: This refers to the archetypal King David, not Josiah's immediate biological father Amon (who was wicked), but the progenitor of the royal lineage and the standard-bearer of righteous kingship. It grounds Josiah's reign in the faithful Davidic covenant and highlights his conformity to that divine ideal.
• and did not turn aside: lō'-sār (לֹא סָר) meaning "did not deviate," "did not depart," or "did not swerve." It signifies strict, disciplined adherence and an unwavering commitment to the specified path.
• to the right hand or to the left: yāmîn 'ōw śemōl (יָמִין אוֹ שְׂמֹאול). A common idiomatic phrase in Hebrew (often found in Deuteronomic literature), signifying total, unwavering obedience without compromise, deviation, or seeking alternative paths. It speaks to wholehearted devotion without a hint of syncretism or compromise.

Words-group Analysis:

• "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord": This phrase functions as the theological barometer for a Judean king. It demonstrates divine evaluation of human rule, establishing God as the supreme authority over the monarch. It stands in stark contrast to the human-centric assessments or evaluations based on military power or wealth typical of other ancient Near Eastern polities. It also subtly acts as a polemic against rulers who might attribute their power or justify their actions through other deities or by their own self-aggrandizement.
• "walked in all the way of David his father": This signifies that Josiah fulfilled the highest dynastic ideal set forth for the kings of Judah. It represents a full restoration of the covenant faithfulness embodied by David, demonstrating an authentic, internal commitment to Yahweh that influenced every aspect of his reign, rejecting the pervasive idolatry and unfaithfulness of his immediate predecessors (Amon and Manasseh). This phrase shows that God's ideal for a ruler was active and complete fidelity, not just a set of external rituals.
• "did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left": This phrase highlights the profound nature of Josiah's devotion – his obedience was comprehensive, unwavering, and uncompromised. It evokes the strict requirements of Mosaic law, indicating that Josiah’s faith was pure and untainted by the syncretistic practices or convenient moral compromises common during the era. This unwavering stance becomes a crucial foundational element for the later radical reforms he enacts.

2 Kings 22 2 Bonus section

• A King by God's Assessment, Not Human Age: Josiah ascended the throne at the tender age of eight (2 Kgs 22:1). This verse, given his youth, underscores that his adherence to God's ways was not accidental or inherited but a deliberate, internal disposition validated by the divine. It suggests that even from a young age, or with the right counsel, true obedience to God is possible and discernable.
• Reversing a Dynastic Curse: For generations prior to Josiah, most Judean kings had "done what was evil in the eyes of the Lord." This verse indicates a monumental break in that pattern of apostasy, marking Josiah as the pivotal figure in reversing the spiritual decline of the Davidic line, fulfilling the hope of God's continuing faithfulness through a righteous ruler.
• Precursor to the Reformation: This moral assessment is critical as it immediately precedes the finding of the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy). Josiah's pre-existing, heart-level commitment to God ("walked in all the way of David... did not turn aside") prepared him to receive, internalize, and aggressively implement the rediscovered commandments. His foundational integrity made the sweeping reforms possible and credible.

2 Kings 22 2 Commentary

2 Kings 22:2 provides a definitive statement of Josiah's spiritual character, framing him as a unique and righteous king within Judah's turbulent history. This verse is not merely a biographical detail but a profound theological declaration. His actions, from his earliest years, met God's ultimate standard, aligning with the "straight" path of divine will. Unlike the pervasive idolatry of his forebears (Manasseh and Amon), Josiah intentionally pursued an unbroken, comprehensive loyalty to Yahweh, emulating the faithful prototype King David. The phrase "did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" vividly portrays his uncompromising adherence to God's commandments, free from syncretism or moral ambiguity. This sets the immediate expectation for a king who will discover and act upon God's neglected law, initiating the greatest spiritual reformation in Judah, fundamentally because his heart and way were completely devoted to the Lord from the very beginning.