6th.: King Josiah
King Josiah was a good king. Meaning he sougt to do what God wanted,
as in “did right in the sight of the Lord.” (2nd Kings 22:2a).
Sometime during his reign, his religious leaders read the Bible to him.
Hearing the old prophecies and commands, Josiah knew immediately that Israel had disobeyed God.
So Josiah told his religious leaders,
“Go ye, inquire of the Lord for me, and for this people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book.” (2nd Kings 22:13).
The Lord confirmed that Israel was in trouble.
Yet Josiah’s tender heart, and his tears for the things of God, pleased God.
The Lord promised Josiah that he would be gathered unto the grave in peace (see 2nd Kings 22:15-20).
Josiah then proceeded to celebrate the Passover like no other king before him (see 2nd Kings 23:21-23).
Thirteen years after this Passover celebration, Pharaoh Nechoh, king of Egypt,
wanted to pass through Israel to fight Assyria. Instead of asking the Lord,
Josiah went out to fight Pharaoh Nechoh.
Josiah died from the wounds he received in that battle (see 2nd Kings 23:29-30; 2nd Chr. 35:20-24),
even though the Lord promised Josiah that he would die in peace.
If Josiah had inquired of the Lord, the Lord could have told Josiah not to go.
The main point is to seek the Lord, when we make our plans.
“Forsake the foolish, and live. And go in the way of understanding.” (Pr. 9:6)