35:1-27

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The final reform (2Chr 34:1-35:27)

Another reform swept Judah during the reign of Josiah (2Chr 34:1-33; see notes on 2 Kings 22:1-23:20).

As with the reform of Hezekiah, the climax in the eyes of the Chronicler was a great Passover Feast in Jerusalem.

After returning the ark to its rightful place in the temple, the priests and Levites prepared themselves for their duties.

Josiah arranged them in divisions as Hezekiah had done earlier, so that the music, singing, sacrifices and other rituals could be conducted properly.

The king, his governors and the leading Levites generously provided the sacrificial animals needed by the people for the occasion.

The whole festival was even more spectacular than that of Hezekiah’s time (2Chr 35:1-19; see notes on 2 Kings 23:21-27).

Sadly, Josiah was killed in battle at only thirty-nine years of age (2Chr 34:20-27; see notes on 2 Kings 23:28-30).