Within the historical record of God's Word, the life of Josiah stands out as possibly the greatest among the kings of Judah. His story begins in 639 BC, when, at the tender age of eight, he ascends to the throne after the brief and tumultuous reign of his father Amon, who was assassinated by his own servants. Josiah reigns for thirty-one years in Jerusalem, and God notes through the chronicler that he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, walking in the ways of his ancestor David without turning aside to the right or to the left. At the start of his reign, being only a child, Josiah does not handle the daily affairs of the kingdom but is likely schooled and groomed by a regent. Part of this education includes learning the ways of God, to which he proves receptive, showing remarkable dedication by the age of twenty. In his eighteenth year, at age twenty-six, he initiates repairs to the Temple, which is about 350 years old. During these repairs, the Book of the Law is discovered, revealing how far Judah has drifted from God, to the point of forgetting His written Word. Deeply humbled by what he hears when the book is read to him, Josiah tears his clothes and sends priests to inquire of the Lord for himself, the people, and all Judah, fearing the great wrath aroused against them. Through the prophetess Huldah, God confirms that the people are only giving lip-service to Josiah's reforms, their hearts unchanged. Despite this, God, in His mercy, delays the severe punishment, and Josiah, far from a typical leader, redoubles his efforts. He gathers the elders and the people, reads God's Word to them, and publicly makes a covenant to follow the Lord with all his heart and soul, committing to a righteous life. By the force of his personality and example, he ensures the people outwardly conform, removing all abominations and pagan practices from the land, and making all in Jerusalem and Benjamin diligently serve the Lord during his days. However, their hearts remain uncommitted, and only twelve years after Josiah's death, Judah falls captive to Babylon, as even his immediate family fails to follow his exemplary path.

Josiah was the fifteenth king of Judah, reigning from 640 BC to 609 BC. He was a remarkably righteous king, described as doing what was right in the sight of the Lord, walking in the ways of his father David, and not turning aside to the right hand or to the left. His personal righteousness and zeal for reform set him apart as one of the greatest kings of Judah. At the young age of fifteen or sixteen, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David, demonstrating wisdom and a desire to emulate David's successful reign. By the age of twenty, he started purging Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry with great vigor and thoroughness, breaking down altars, cutting down wooden images, and even burning the bones of priests on their altars. His efforts extended into Israel, fulfilling prophecies and leaving no idol or high place standing. In his eighteenth year of reign, at the age of twenty-six, Josiah initiated the repair of the Temple. During this renovation, the book of the law was discovered, which led to his immediate and profound reaction of guilt and grief upon hearing its words. He promptly sought to renew the covenant with God, gathering the people to read the book of Deuteronomy and urging them to stand by the covenant. Josiah's reforms, though extensive and driven by his personal zeal, were not enough to change the hearts of the people of Judah, who only followed him superficially. Despite his efforts, God's wrath was decreed due to the nation's persistent apostasy, and Josiah was informed through the prophetess Huldah that the punishment would come, though he would not see it. The only negative episode in Josiah's life occurred when he intervened in the power politics between Assyria, Egypt, and Babylon, leading to his death at Megiddo. This act is considered by some as foolish and overconfident, and it marked the beginning of the end for Judah. Despite his tragic end, Josiah left a lasting legacy of righteousness and faith in God. His example of seeking God at a young age and following His Word with zeal and humility provided hope to the people of Judah during the exile and beyond, serving as a beacon of light and a standard of what is possible in serving God faithfully.

Josiah, a king of Judah, was dedicated to God and instituted religious reforms to bring the nation back to God's ways. Among these reforms, he reinstated the observance of the Passover, which the people had largely neglected. However, under Josiah's command, the people observed the Passover at the Temple rather than in their individual homes, introducing a variation from God's original instructions.