1. Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah, and he ruled thirty-one years from Jerusalem.
2. He followed the example of his ancestor David and always obeyed the Lord.
3. When Josiah was only sixteen years old he began worshipping God, just as his ancestor David had done. Then, four years later, he decided to destroy the local shrines in Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the sacred poles for worshipping the goddess Asherah and the idols of foreign gods.
26-27. “Josiah, listen to what I am going to do. I noticed how sad you were when you heard that this country and its people would be completely wiped out. You even tore your clothes in sorrow, and I heard you cry.