2 Kings 23:3

“And the king stood by a pillar, etc.] As the manner of kings was, (<121114>2 Kings 11:14) and is thought to be the brasen scaffold erected by Solomon, on which he stood at the dedication of the temple, and now Josiah at the reading of the law, (<140613>2 Chronicles 6:13), it is said to be his place, (<143431>2 Chronicles 34:31), (see Gill on “<121114>2 Kings 11:14”) and made a covenant before the Lord: agreed and promised in the presence of God, both he and his people: to walk after the Lord: the worship of the Lord, as the Targum; closely to attend to that: and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes: all the laws of God, moral, civil, and ceremonial: with all their…”

“all the people stood to the covenant--that is, they agreed to the proposals made; they assented to what was required of them.”

“By a pillar - Rather, “upon the pillar” (see 2 Kings 11:14, note). Made a covenant - “The covenant.” Josiah renewed the old covenant made between God and His people in Horeb Deuteronomy 5:2, so far at least as such renewal was possible by the mere act of an individual. He bound himself by a solemn promise to the faithful performance of the entire Law. With all their heart - “Their” rather than “his,” because the king was considered as pledging the whole nation to obedience with himself. He and they “stood to it,” i. e., “accepted it, came into the covenant.” return to 'Top of Page'”

“Stood - They declared their consent to it, and their concurrence with the king in that act, which possibly they did by standing up, as the king himself stood when he took it. It is of good use, with all possible solemnity, to oblige ourselves to our duty. And he that bears an honest heart, does not startle at assurances. 4 Kings (2 Kings) 23:4”

“23:3 The king . . . renewed the covenant: Covenant renewal was observed at several critical points in the history of God’s people (see 11:12, 17; Josh 24:1-27; 1 Kgs 8:1-53).”

“stood: Kg2 11:14, Kg2 11:17; Ch2 23:13, Ch2 34:31, Ch2 34:32 made a covenant: Exo 24:7, Exo 24:8; Deu 5:1-3, Deu 29:1, Deu 29:10-15; Jos 24:25; Ch2 15:12-14, Ch2 23:16; Ch2 29:10; Ezr 10:3; Neh 9:38, Neh 10:28-39; Jer 50:5; Heb 8:8-13, Heb 12:24; Heb 13:20 to walk: Deu 8:19 his commandments: Deu 4:45, Deu 5:1, Deu 6:1; Psa 19:7-9 with all their heart: Deu 6:5, Deu 10:12, Deu 11:13; Mat 22:36, Mat 22:37 And all: Exo 24:3; Jos 24:24; Ch2 34:32, Ch2 34:33; Ecc 8:2; Jer 4:2 4 Kings (2 Kings) 23:4”