2Ki 23:15-20 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 2Kgs 23:15-17: 23:15-17 Jeroboam had built the altar at Bethel to encourage Israelites to worship at centers closer to home rather than going to Jerusalem (1 Kgs 12:26-31 ). Josiah’s desecration of the site followed the stipulations of the law (Deut 7:5 ; 12:3 ) and fulfilled the earlier prophecy of the man of God who had denounced the altar (1 Kgs 13:1-3 ).

a23:15-17►

b1 Kgs 12:26-31►

cDeut 7:5►

e1 Kgs 13:1-3►

f23:19-20►

g2 Chr 34:6-7►

‏ 2 Kings 23:15-20

Summary for 2Kgs 23:15-17: 23:15-17 ^a Jeroboam had built the altar at Bethel to encourage Israelites to worship at centers closer to home rather than going to Jerusalem (1 Kgs 12:26-31 ^b). Josiah’s desecration of the site followed the stipulations of the law (Deut 7:5 ^c; 12:3 ^d) and fulfilled the earlier prophecy of the man of God who had denounced the altar (1 Kgs 13:1-3 ^e).
Summary for 2Kgs 23:19-20: 23:19-20 ^f pagan shrines ... of Samaria: Josiah’s religious purge extended throughout the former northern kingdom (see also 2 Chr 34:6-7 ^g). Josiah’s freedom to carry out such reforms testifies to his strength and Assyria’s growing weakness (see study note on 2 Kgs 23:29).