INTRODUCTION: The revival under the reign of Josiah is one of the great stories in the Bible. One of the great values of this story is to show that revival is possible in the waning days of God’s blessings on a country or time. Israel has already been taken into captivity. The proclamation of God’s judgment has already been made on Judah (see 2 Kings 21:11-15 [11] Because Manasseh king of Judah hath done these abominations, and hath done wickedly above all that the Amorites did, which were before him, and hath made Judah also to sin with his idols: [12] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. [13] And I will stretch over Jerusalem the line of Samaria, and the plummet of the house of Ahab: and I will wipe Jerusalem as a man wipeth a dish, wiping it, and turning it upside down. [14] And I will forsake the remnant of mine inheritance, and deliver them into the hand of their enemies; and they shall become a prey and a spoil to all their enemies; [15] Because they have done that which was evil in my sight, and have provoked me to anger, since the day their fathers came forth out of Egypt, even unto this day.
See All...). That is, God has already determined to bring full judgment on Judah. Yet, even at this time, a man rises up to bring true faith back to the land. Though the revival of Josiah’s day does not turn God’s anger fully away from Judah, it does put off judgment during Josiah’s lifetime (see 2 Kings 22:15-20 [15] And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, [16] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: [17] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched. [18] But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; [19] Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. [20] Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
See All...).

1. REIGN OF JOSIAH (2 Kings 22:1-2 [1] Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. [2] 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.
   See All...)
1. The Beginning of His Reign (2 Kings 22:1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
   See All...)
1. Began to reign when he was 8 years old
2. Reigned for 31 years in Jerusalem
2. The Character of His Reign (2 Kings 22:2And 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.
   See All...)
1. Did right in the sight of the Lord
2. Walked in all the way of David
3. Turned not to the right hand or to the left
2. REFORMATIONS OF HIS EARLY YEARS (2 Chronicles 34:3-7 [3] For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. [4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. [5] And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. [6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. [7] And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
   See All...)
1. In the Eighth Year of His Reign (2 Chronicles 34:3For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
   See All...)
1. When he was 16 years old
2. He began to seek after the God of David.
2. In the Twelfth Year of His Reign (2 Chronicles 34:3-7 [3] For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. [4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. [5] And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. [6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. [7] And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
   See All...)
1. When he was 20 years old
2. He began to purge Judah and Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 34:3-7 [3] For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. [4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. [5] And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. [6] And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. [7] And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.
   See All...).
1. By destroying and removing the high places, groves, carved images, and molten images (2 Chronicles 34:3-4 [3] For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. [4] And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them.
   See All..., 7)
2. By burning the bones of the priests (2 Chronicles 34:5And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.
   See All...)
3. RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE (2 Kings 22:3-7 [3] And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, [4] Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people: [5] And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house, [6] Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house. [7] Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
   See All...)
1. The Mission (2 Kings 22:3And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
   See All...)
1. In the eighteenth year of his reign (when he was 26 years old)
2. He sent Shaphan to the house of the Lord.
2. The Money (2 Kings 22:4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
   See All...)
1. His command to Hilkiah the priest
2. To count the silver
1. Which is brought into the house of the Lord
2. Which is gathered by the keepers at the door
3. The Message (2 Kings 22:5-6 [5] And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house, [6] Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
   See All...)
1. Deliver the money to the overseers of the house (2 Kings 22:5And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
   See All...).
2. Use it to repair the breaches of the house (2 Kings 22:5And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
   See All...).
3. Use it to pay for the completion of the work (2 Kings 22:6Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
   See All...).
1. To the workers
1. Carpenters
2. Builders
3. Masons
2. For the supplies
1. To buy timber
2. To buy hewn stone
4. The Method (2 Kings 22:7Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
   See All...)
1. No reckoning made of the money
2. All who helped dealt faithfully.
4. REDISCOVERY OF THE WORD OF GOD (2 Kings 22:8-10 [8] And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. [9] And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. [10] And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
   See All...)
1. The Announcement of Hilkiah (2 Kings 22:8And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
   See All...)
1. He found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.
2. He delivered the book to Shaphan, who read it.
2. The Report of Shaphan to the King (2 Kings 22:9-10 [9] And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD. [10] And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
   See All...)
1. Concerning the money (2 Kings 22:9And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
   See All...)
1. The money has been gathered.
2. The money has been delivered to the workers.
2. Concerning the book (2 Kings 22:10And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
   See All...)
1. He showed the book of the law to the king.
2. He read the book of the law to the king.
5. REPENTANCE OF JOSIAH (2 Kings 22:11-13 [11] And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. [12] And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, [13] Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
   See All...)
1. His Repentance (2 Kings 22:11And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
   See All...)
1. He heard the words of the book of the law.
2. He rent his clothes.
2. His Request (2 Kings 22:12-13 [12] And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying, [13] Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
   See All...)
1. He commanded his servants (2 Kings 22:12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
   See All...).
2. Go inquire of the Lord (2 Kings 22:13Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
   See All...).
1. The people of his inquiry
1. For himself
2. For all Judah
2. The purpose of his inquiry
1. Because of the words of this book
2. Because of the wrath of the Lord
3. Because of the disobedience of the people
6. RESPONSE OF THE LORD (2 Kings 22:14-17 [14] So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. [15] And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, [16] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: [17] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
   See All...)
1. The Inquiry Made of Huldah the Prophetess (2 Kings 22:14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
   See All...)
1. The wife of Shallum, keeper of the wardrobe
2. Dwelling in Jerusalem in the college [the word college originally referred to a community of people pursuing the same interests]
2. The Word of the Lord by Huldah (2 Kings 22:15-17 [15] And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, [16] Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: [17] Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
   See All...)
1. Thus saith the Lord (2 Kings 22:15And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
   See All...).
2. The evil spoken of in this book will come (2 Kings 22:16Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
   See All...).
3. The people have brought the wrath of God on them (2 Kings 22:17Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
   See All...).
7. RESPECT FOR JOSIAH IN HIS LIFETIME (2 Kings 22:18-20 [18] But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; [19] Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. [20] Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
   See All...)
1. The Prayer of Josiah Heard (2 Kings 22:18-19 [18] But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; [19] Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
   See All...)
2. The Days of Josiah to Be in Peace (2 Kings 22:20Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
   See All...)
1. To be gathered to his grave in peace
2. Not to see all the evil that shall come

CONCLUSION: Josiah sought the Lord before any sign of judgment, but continued to do so when he learned of the coming judgment. Oh, that God’s people would seek Him!