2 Chronicles 34 (résumé): Josiah's reforms and discovery of the Book

Josiah was 8 when he became king of Judah and he reigned for 31 years. He did what was right before God and ruthlessly combatted paganism smashing its altars, idols and poles. He purged Judah of paganism even burning the bones of pagan priests on their altars. He then repaired the temple and used the money received in the temple to pay the carpenters and builders. The Levites oversaw the workers from job to job. Then amidst their work renovating and restoring the temple Priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law and reported it to King Josiah. When Josiah heard the words of the Law he tore his robes and sought God as to its meaning, sad because it had been previously ignored and had not been obeyed. Then they went and consulted Hulda the prophetess and she said that all the curses of the book would come upon the people because of their disobedience, but because the king had been humble and contrite he would die before God's judgement fell upon his people and not have to see it. So King Josiah renewed the covenant with the Lord and he made all the people pledge themselves to it. He removed paganism from the land and all were faithful to God under his leadership.