2 Kings 23 1

2 Kings 23:1 kjv

And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.

2 Kings 23:1 nkjv

Now the king sent them to gather all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him.

2 Kings 23:1 niv

Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Kings 23:1 esv

Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him.

2 Kings 23:1 nlt

Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.

2 Kings 23 verses

2 Kings 23 1 Meaning

2 Kings 23:1 describes the immediate action taken by King Josiah after the discovery of the Book of the Law and the subsequent prophecy delivered by Huldah the prophetess. Upon hearing the words of the Law and being deeply humbled, Josiah initiated the process of national repentance and covenant renewal by commanding the assembly of all the elders, who represented the leadership and people, from both Judah and Jerusalem. This gathering signifies the beginning of his sweeping religious reforms aimed at restoring the people to obedience to God's commandments.

2 Kings 23 1 Context

Verse 23:1 immediately follows the account of the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely the Book of Deuteronomy) during repairs to the Temple under King Josiah (2 Ki 22:8). Upon hearing the words of this book read to him, Josiah was overwhelmed by the extent of Judah's and his ancestors' disobedience, leading him to tear his clothes in humility and seek God's counsel through the prophetess Huldah (2 Ki 22:11-13). Huldah confirmed the impending judgment due to the nation's idolatry but also pronounced that because of Josiah's tender heart and humility, disaster would not come in his lifetime (2 Ki 22:15-20). In response to this prophecy and his profound conviction, Josiah took decisive action. This verse thus initiates his unparalleled religious reform, demonstrating his commitment to return the entire nation to covenant faithfulness before God. The historical setting is pre-exilic Judah, a time marked by deep-seated idolatry introduced by kings like Manasseh and Amon. Josiah's actions represent a stark reversal of generations of spiritual decline.

2 Kings 23 1 Word analysis

• Then (וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ - vayyishlaḥ): This connective "and/then" signifies the immediate sequence of events following Josiah's response to Huldah's prophecy. It shows his swift, decisive action born out of his genuine repentance and understanding of God's judgment.
• the king (הַמֶּ֙לֶךְ֙ - hammeleḵ): Refers to Josiah, the young king of Judah. His position as monarch grants him the authority and responsibility to initiate such a widespread national gathering and reform. This highlights the king's crucial role as a covenant mediator and spiritual leader, intended to uphold God's law (Deut 17:18-20).
• sent (וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ - vayyishlaḥ): From the Hebrew root שָׁלַח (shalach), "to send, stretch out." It implies Josiah's active command and exertion of royal authority to summon the representatives of the people. This was not a passive request but an authoritative directive.
• and they gathered (וַיַּאַסְפ֥וּ - vayyaʼasfū): From the Hebrew root אָסַף (asaf), "to gather, collect." This indicates that Josiah's command was promptly executed, showing the influence of the king and the recognition of his spiritual authority by his officials and the elders. The passive voice highlights the effect of his action.
• unto him (אֵלָיו֙ - ’ēlāw): Directly to Josiah. This emphasizes that the assembly was convened specifically by and for the king, establishing his leadership in the ensuing events. The focus is on the people's coming before the king to hear God's Word.
• all (כָּל־ - kol): "Whole, every, all." This signifies the comprehensive nature of the summons. It was not a partial or select group, but every elder within the specified territories, indicating an intent for widespread participation and communal accountability in the upcoming covenant renewal.
• the elders (זִקְנֵ֣י - ziqnê): From זָקֵן (zaqen), "elder, old person." These were the recognized leaders and representatives of the communities and tribes, possessing social, judicial, and often spiritual authority in ancient Israel. Their presence was crucial for any national assembly, particularly for covenant renewal or significant communal decisions, as they represented the collective voice of the people.
• of Judah (יְהוּדָ֖ה - Yehûḏāh): The southern kingdom, of which Jerusalem was the capital. This refers to the general population centers and districts of the entire kingdom.
• and of Jerusalem (וִירוּשָׁלִָֽם - wîrūšālēm): The capital city, both the religious and political center. Singling out Jerusalem highlights its specific importance as the seat of the Temple and the king, emphasizing its central role in the reform.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Then the king sent, and they gathered": This phrase depicts Josiah's decisive initiative and the prompt execution of his command. It sets the scene for a significant event, showing the seamless transition from conviction to action under the king's authority.
• "all the elders": This underscores the comprehensive nature of the summons. It indicates that the impending event was a national affair, involving all legitimate representatives and thus signifying a united commitment from the entire population (through their leadership) to the king's initiative.
• "of Judah and of Jerusalem": This specifies the geographical and administrative scope. "Judah" covers the wider kingdom, while "Jerusalem" highlights the critical role of the capital city. Together, they represent the entirety of Josiah's domain, emphasizing the kingdom-wide nature of the intended reform and renewal.

2 Kings 23 1 Bonus section

• The immediate convening of the elders reflects a deep understanding by Josiah of the patriarchal and representative system of governance in ancient Israel. Any truly national religious reformation required the buy-in and participation of these influential local and tribal leaders.
• This act also signifies a significant shift in leadership's responsiveness to God's word compared to previous kings in Judah, who had either ignored, suppressed, or deliberately contravened the divine statutes. Josiah's humility and zeal stand in stark contrast to his wicked predecessors.
• The emphasis on "all the elders" implies a unified, collective undertaking. It was not just a royal decree, but an initiative designed to foster corporate repentance and renewed commitment, mirroring the collective responsibility established at Mount Sinai.

2 Kings 23 1 Commentary

2 Kings 23:1 is a pivotal verse, serving as the immediate catalyst for Josiah’s great reform. It depicts a monarch genuinely moved by God's Word, moving swiftly from personal repentance to national action. The discovery of the Book of the Law had a profound impact on Josiah, and this verse illustrates his commitment to extending that spiritual awakening to his entire kingdom. By gathering "all the elders," Josiah ensured that the reform would be broadly disseminated and embraced by the representative leaders of the people. This act harks back to previous moments of covenant renewal in Israel's history (e.g., Moses, Joshua), where national repentance and recommitment to God's law involved the entire community through its leadership. Josiah's proactive response sets the stage for a period of unparalleled spiritual purification, where the king acts as God’s agent to restore covenant fidelity, dismantling the deeply entrenched idolatry that had defiled the land for generations. This verse embodies leadership, obedience, and the vital step of calling the people together to hear God's commands.