Became king of Judah at age eight and led the nation's greatest spiritual reform. When the lost Book of the Law was found during temple repairs, he tore his robes, renewed the covenant, and purged idolatry throughout the land. No king before or after turned to the Lord so wholeheartedly.
Relationships
ContemporaryJeremiahProphet who served during his reign
Advised byHuldahProphetess his officials consulted when the book of the law was found
FatherAmonFather, killed by his own servants in his house
SonJehoahaz (Judah)Son, made king by the people, then taken to Egypt
SonJehoiakimSon, born Eliakim, whom Pharaoh Necho made king
SonZedekiahSon, born Mattaniah, whom the king of Babylon made king
ContemporaryZephaniahProphet, son of Cushi, who received the word of the Lord in Josiah's days
Key Scripture AppearancesKJV
2 Kings 22:1
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 Kings 22:1, KJV
2 Kings 22:8
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.2 Kings 22:8, KJV
2 Kings 23:25
And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.2 Kings 23:25, KJV
2 Chronicles 34:3
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.2 Chronicles 34:3, KJV
See how Josiah connects to every other figure in Scripture.