Surely there was not holden such a passover, &c.— These words, taken in a literal sense, must denote that this passover, which was celebrated by two tribes only, was more numerous and more magnificent, than all those that were observed in the days of David and Solomon, in the most happy and flourishing states of the Jewish monarchy, and when the whole twelve tribes were met together to solemnize that feast. It may not be amiss therefore to allow, that in these expressions there is a kind of auxesis or exaggeration not unusual in sacred as well as in profane authors: for, nothing is more common than to say, never was so much splendour and magnificence seen, when we mean no more than that the thing we speak of, was very splendid and magnificent: unless we suppose with some, that a preference is given to this passover above all the rest, on account of the exact observation of the rites and ceremonies belonging to it, which at other times were performed according to custom, and several things either altered or omitted; whereas at this, every thing was performed according to the prescribed form of the law, from which, since the finding of the authentic copy of it before mentioned, Josiah enjoined them not to vary a tittle. See Calmet and Le Clerc.
REFLECTIONS.—1st, To avert, if possible, the threatened wrath, Josiah, with earnest solicitude, seeks the reformation of the people.
1. In a general assembly of the elders, priests, prophets, and people, convened on purpose for the occasion, he himself, as it seems, read in their ears the words of the book found in the house of the Lord, that it might more deeply engage their attention.
2. The book of the covenant being rehearsed, the tenor of which was, that on their fidelity they were assured of God's blessing, the king, to encourage and engage the people, solemnly, as in the presence of God, declared his purpose of walking after the Lord, in all the ways of his instituted worship, and observing all his commandments moral, judicial, and ceremonial; and this with all simplicity and sincerity, trusting in God to enable him to perform what was so plainly his duty, and so greatly his desire. The people join the king in his engagement, and, promising all fidelity, stand to the covenant. Note; (1.) A good and great example is very influential. (2.) Jesus our king, is our covenant-head; faith in him is now our security. (3.) God's people are bound to him, not so much by bonds of vows and promises, as by better bonds of divine love.
2nd, In consequence of his solemn engagements, Josiah without delay set himself to remove all the abominations contrary to the book of the law, which were found in the land.
1. He began with Judah and Jerusalem; where, shocking to tell! the most gross and strange monuments of idolatry remained. To purge the house of the Lord was his first concern: thence he fetched all the vessels which had been consecrated to and employed in the service of Baal and Astoreth, and the hosts of heaven; and having burnt them, he carried their ashes to Beth-el, that hated beginning of idolatry, which now he would make a dunghill, and lay there the filth and off-scouring of all these abominations. The idolatrous priests, (for such there will be, when court-favour follows Baal's worship,) he put down, destroying all the high places where they offered incense, which, though Hezekiah had ruined, his wicked successors had restored. These were degraded from their office; and though they had a portion with the priests for their maintenance, they were no more suffered to approach the altars of the Lord. The images of their false deities he stamped to powder, and, to render them more loathsome, cast the dust on the graves of their worshippers, as a reproach to their memory, and in contempt to their idols; whilst he dug up the bones of the priests, and scattered them upon the high places, where they had used to sacrifice. Topheth he defiled, making it a burying-place. The horses which had been dedicated to the sun, he took away, and burnt the chariots. His own house also he thoroughly purged: the altar of Ahaz, which was on the roof, and those which Manasseh had made, he beat to powder, and threw the dust into the brook Kidron. Throughout Judah, he put away all wizards and workers with familiar spirits; and in short, every abomination that he found, after the strictest search made according to the word of the Lord, he utterly abolished. Note; True conversion to God makes thorough work, casting away every weight, and the sin which doth most easily beset us.
2. He proceeded to carry the reformation that he had begun in Judah, into the cities of Israel. The altar at Beth-el he defiled; and, after sacrificing the idolatrous priests, and burning the bones of dead men upon it, destroyed it, with the high place and the grove adjoining. And as he did at Beth-el, he did in the other cities of Samaria, utterly rooting out every monument of idolatry. Note; Though God's word be long ere it be fulfilled, whether it be promise or threatening, the accomplishment is sure.
3. The land being thus cleansed from idols, and the people, according to their engagements, returning in truth to the worship of God; a solemn passover is proclaimed and kept, with such exactness and conformity to the divine institution, with such delight and joy, that since the days of the judges, even under the best of their kings, no such passover had been observed. Note; They who are faithful in the covenant, will be happy to partake of the seals of it. Neglect of the table of the Lord, is a sure mark of the continuing apostacy of the heart from God.