Josiah began to seek the LORD as a teenager and initiated the temple repair ten years later (34:3, 8). As a reward for his diligence, the Book of the Law was found during those clean-up efforts. It was not a reward to display in an ornate case, to lock up in a secure vault, or to casually read when he had some free time. By devouring this Book, the young king was able to know the will of God for him and his people. Still today, every earnest seeker is met and rewarded by God in the pages of Scripture, where we not only come to know God’s Law, but are introduced to our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. For Josiah, the great discovery was not only the fruit of his faithfulness, it was an encouragement to even greater faithfulness. What he read in the Book called for yet greater devotion and service to the LORD. So in 2 Chronicles 35, we come to the crowning event in the life of Josiah, as in obedience to God’s Law, Josiah brings the nation together for a Passover celebration, just like his great-grandfather Hezekiah had done (chapter 30). The Chronicler describes this joyous festival as the greatest Passover since the time of Samuel (v 18). First, the ark of the covenant had to be put back where it belonged. It must have been moved during the reign of one of the idolatrous kings, and now it was time to return it to its intended place in the temple. The priests and Levites also had to be returned to their intended places. So Josiah revives the cohorts of priests and Levites as established by David centuries before (v 1-6). So many people attended this Passover celebration that a lot of livestock would be needed for everyone to partake of a Passover lamb. Many bulls were also offered up, providing more food as the festival continued. Josiah made the greatest contribution, and other high-ranking officials also gave generously to supply the need (v 7-9). Needless to say, the priests and Levites were busy, working long hours to serve the crowd. The descendants of David’s three music directors (Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun) led the singing, gatekeepers guarded the premises, and even some from the northern kingdom of Israel participated (v 10-19). Sadly, Josiah’s life ends when he makes an ill-advised military decision. King Neco of Egypt was taking a short-cut through the territory of Judah to fight against Babylon in Carcemish on the Euphrates. Josiah stubbornly sets up a blockade, despite the God-prompted warnings of Neco. Wounded in battle, Josiah is taken back to Jerusalem, where he dies as the last of the godly kings of Judah—until the coming of the great Shepherd-King Himself (v 20-27). For further meditation: