Pastor Jeff Anders continues the series on David by looking at King Josiah — another king who followed David’s example. The message draws from 2 Kings 22–23.
Josiah’s story moves through the reign, the road, the repairs, the reading, the reaction, the revelation, and the revival, then names the secret of his victory over idolatry: he turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might.
Why David Was a Conqueror
David was God’s beloved, conquering king because he was a servant of his God — living by faith, seeking forgiveness when he failed, and fearing God more than men. Those keys did not die with David. Later kings who walked in “the way of David” became conquerors too.
After Hezekiah and Jehoshaphat, this message turns to Josiah in 2 Kings 22–23: an eight-year-old whom God raised up, who walked in David’s road, rediscovered the lost Word, tore his clothes over sin, sought a word from God, and led Judah into a revival of surrender and the destruction of idolatry. The secret is that he turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might (2 Kings 23:25).
The church is still at war — not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, powers, and spiritual wickedness in high places (Ephesians 6:12). The enemy is a lying serpent and a roaring lion seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). God still wants David-like conquerors.
- Faith. According to Hebrews 11, David walked and conquered by faith — listening to the Word of God and obeying the will of God.
- Forgiveness. When he messed up, he confessed, and God forgave.
- Fear of God. David got alone in God’s presence, got on God’s agenda, and walked God’s way.
1. The Reign (2 Kings 22:1)
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem; his mother was Jedidah (2 Kings 22:1). You would not pick an eight-year-old for the throne; God did — like young David anointed by Samuel (1 Samuel 16), and like Jesus calling fishermen and a tax collector (Matthew 4; Matthew 9:9). God has a plan for children. He often chooses the opposite of what we would choose.
2. The Road (2 Kings 22:2)
Josiah 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 (2 Kings 22:2). David’s concern was what God sees as right, not what a crowd survey would say. Stay on David’s highway.
None of these kings were perfect. David went down the wrong road, confessed, and was forgiven. Peter denied the Lord three times, yet God turned him around and used him. Direction matters more than perfection. If you know the right thing and have taken a wrong turn, don’t stay there.
3. The Repairs (2 Kings 22:3–7)
In about the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah ordered repair of the house of God. The workmen dealt faithfully (2 Kings 22:3–7). That echoes David’s desire for God’s house, though Solomon would build the temple (2 Samuel 7).
Believers also have a temple — our body and our life — that ought to reflect God’s glory (1 Corinthians 6:19–20). There are things that need to be fixed so we can be everything God wants us to be.
4. The Reading (2 Kings 22:8–10)
The Book of the Law is found in the house of God. Hilkiah finds it; Shaphan reads it before the king (2 Kings 22:8–10). It is not unusual for the Word of God to get lost in the house of God — Bibles on the shelf, but activities first and “a little devotion” on the side. We need to rediscover the Word of God.
5. The Reaction (2 Kings 22:11–13)
When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he rent his clothes (2 Kings 22:11). He sent men to inquire of the Lord, because great is the wrath kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book (2 Kings 22:13).
Idolatry had entered the land. The enemy’s lie is that idolatry is fine. Josiah’s response is not a poll — they need a word from God.
6. The Revelation (2 Kings 22:14–20)
They go to Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14). Judgment will fall because Judah forsook God for other gods (2 Kings 22:15–17). Modern idols named: pleasure, prosperity, popularity, money, people. The first two commandments forbid other gods and graven images (Exodus 20:3–4).
Because Josiah’s heart was tender, he is gathered in peace and will not see the evil in his days (2 Kings 22:18–20). Still following David’s example generations later.
7. The Revival (2 Kings 23)
Saints gathered (2 Kings 23:1–2). Scriptures read — the Book of the Covenant (2 Kings 23:2). Surrender — the king stands by the pillar and makes a covenant (2 Kings 23:3). The people stood to the covenant. Sin dealt with — vessels for Baal, the grove, and the host of heaven burned in Kidron; priests put down; purge through Judah (2 Kings 23:4–20). Scriptures obeyed — a Passover like none before in the eighteenth year (2 Kings 23:21–23).
8. The Secret (2 Kings 23:25)
Victory over idolatry. No king like him who 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 (2 Kings 23:25; cf. Deuteronomy 6:5).
Get on that road of full surrender to God — and stay on it.
Truths to Take Home
- God still raises unlikely people, even children, for His purpose (2 Kings 22:1; 1 Samuel 16).
- Direction matters more than perfection — stay on David’s road (2 Kings 22:2).
- Do not let the Word get lost in the house of God (2 Kings 22:8–10).
- When sin is exposed, seek a word from God, not a poll (2 Kings 22:11–13).
- Idols of pleasure, prosperity, popularity, money, and people must go (Exodus 20:3–4).
- Revival looks like gathering, reading Scripture, surrender, standing, dealing with sin, and obeying (2 Kings 23).
- The secret is whole-hearted turn to the Lord (2 Kings 23:25).