Introduction to Josiah's Reign (2 Kings 22:1-2).
Josiah's reign commences with the usual introductory formula giving his age when he began to reign, the length of his reign, and the name of the queen mother, followed by a verdict on his reign, which in this case was exemplary.
‘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 Bozkath.'
The early assassination of Amon resulted in Josiah coming to the throne at a very early age, with the result that he was only eight years old when he began to reign, and he then reigned for thirty one years, dying in battle at the age of thirty nine. The name of the queen mother, whose status in Judah was seen as very important, was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah. Jedidah means ‘beloved'. The name Adaiah is found on seals that have been excavated. Bozkath lay between Lachish and Eglon (Joshua 15:39). The purpose of the marriage may well have been in order to seal the relationship between Jerusalem and the border cities in the Shephelah, some of which like Libnah saw themselves as semi-independent (2 Kings 8:22).
‘And he did what was right in the eyes of YHWH, and walked in all the way of David his father, and did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.'
The verdict on his reign was exceptional, for not only did he do what was right in the eyes of YHWH without reservation (he even removed the high places), but he also did not turn aside ‘to right or left' (compare 2 Kings 18:3). In other words he was unwavering in his faithfulness to YHWH.