5 - Josiah and the Remains of Israel

Summary

There are multiple indications within the Bible itself that Josiah took an interest in the north; these form a foundation for the argument that Isa 24–27 was an overture by Josiah to inhabitants of the former Israelite kingdom. It has demonstrated the continuing consensus that the basic reports of Josiah’s reforming activities in Bethel were more or less contemporaneous with his reign, which suggests that Judah had increased freedom to operate in the former Northern Kingdom. Yet it has also observed that there is no indication in the Bible or in archaeological findings that Josiah ever conquered or ruled the bulk of the north. He had ambitions, but they went unfulfilled – indeed, they may have cost him his life when Egypt sensed them. From Egypt’s point of view, Judah seems to have been more or less free to inhabit its rocky hill country, but an interest in the more desirable lands farther north or west would not have been well received.