• Welcome to Baptist Board, a friendly forum to discuss the Baptist Faith in a friendly surrounding.

    Your voice is missing! You will need to register to get access to all the features that our community has to offer.

    We hope to see you as a part of our community soon and God Bless!

Hezekiah and Josiah?

J

James65

New Member
The Book of II Kings give great honor to both King Hezekiah and King Josiah. But I happen to be puzzled when comparing these 2 passages:
Hezekiah—He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any before him. II Kings 18:5
Josiah—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. II Kings 23:35

So how can both these be true?
 
A

Alex2165

Active Member
James65 said:
The Book of II Kings give great honor to both King Hezekiah and King Josiah. But I happen to be puzzled when comparing these 2 passages:
Hezekiah—He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like him among all the kings of Judah, nor any before him. II Kings 18:5
Josiah—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. II Kings 23:35

So how can both these be true?
Click to expand...
Hezekiah was the 13th king of Judah, son of Ahaz (716-687). During his rule were active prophets: Micah, Hosea, Isaiah.


Indeed where was no other loyal, faithful, and god-fearing king of Judah as Hezekiah, and his description by the prophets is absolutely right and fair.



Josiah was the 16th king of Judah, son of Amon (640-609). During his rule were active prophets: Zephaniah, Jeremiah.


Difference here between these two kings is some around 40 years apart.


I am sure that Zephaniah and Jeremiah knew about righteousness and godliness of the king Hezekiah, because in the 40 years it is almost impossible to forgot some one very distinguished man as king Hezekiah, also no one forgot any villain in the 40 years period of time, because it is relatively a short time.


So Zephaniah and Jeremiah decided honored and king Josiah in the same way as other prophets honored king Hezekiah for his dedication to GOD of Israel.


King Hezekiah of course was dead at that time, and so will be no problem to honor and king Josiah with the same words, because he also deserved this.


Were have been other few king of Judah who also deserve similar honors, which is basically traditional way to honor someone special.


These words of honor cannot be taken literally, but mostly used as praise for one who must be distinguished and honored verbally, or in writing, or in poem, or in song.
 
Deacon

Deacon

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Two different kings, both trusted the LORD, both had special characteristics that distinguished them from other Kings, both before and after.

Modern example:
  • President Washington, there were none like him among all the other other Presidents
  • President Lincoln, there were none like him among all the Presidents.
No contradiction, each was special in their own way.

Rob
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top