Like unto him was there no king before him, &c.— As it is mentioned to the particular praise of Hezekiah, chap. 2 Kings 18:5., that there was no king like him, who trusted in the Lord God of Israel; so the preference given to Josiah is here limited to his turning to the Lord with all his heart, &c. by which is partly meant that he made a more thorough and complete reformation than any of his predecessors. But however sincere he was in this reformation, omitting nothing to restore the purity of God's worship wherever his power extended, yet a great part at least of the people still had a hankering after the corruption of the former part of Manasseh's reign. They complied indeed with the present reformation, but this was only through fear of incurring the king's displeasure, or of feeling the severity of his justice. Their hearts were not right towards God, as appears fully from the writings of the prophets of those times; and therefore, seeing no sign of their repentance, God had no reason to reverse his decree, nor to turn from the fierceness of his great wrath; 2 Kings 23:26.
Related Commentaries of 2 Kings 23:25
2 Kings 23:25
25 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.