This verse, 2 Kings 23:28, is a pretty standard concluding formula used throughout the books of Kings. It's saying:
"Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did...": This means the book of 2 Kings has given a summary of Josiah's reign, but it's not an exhaustive account. There were other events, decisions, and actions that happened during his time as king that the book hasn't detailed.
"...aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?": This is the key. It points to another, presumably more comprehensive, source that existed at the time the book of Kings was written. This "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" was likely an official royal record, a kind of historical archive kept by the Judahite court.
In essence, the verse serves as a historical marker and a point of reference. It indicates that:
1. The book of 2 Kings is selective. It focuses on events and aspects of Josiah's reign that the author deemed most important for their theological or historical purposes.
2. More detailed historical records existed. The author acknowledged the existence of a more complete account of Josiah's reign in the "book of the chronicles."
3. The author assumes the reader's understanding. It implies that the reader is aware of this "book of the chronicles" (or at least its existence) and could, in theory, consult it for more information.
Important points to consider:
The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" is not the same as the biblical books of Chronicles. While the biblical books of Chronicles draw on similar sources, they are distinct works with different perspectives and purposes.
The original "book of the chronicles" has not survived to the present day. We only know about it through references like this.
These references in Kings are valuable because they give us insight into the sources used by the authors of the Old Testament and the historical context in which they wrote.
This verse, 2 Kings 23:28, is a pretty standard concluding formula used throughout the books of Kings. It's saying:
"Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did...": This means the book of 2 Kings has given a summary of Josiah's reign, but it's not an exhaustive account. There were other events, decisions, and actions that happened during his time as king that the book hasn't detailed.
"...aren't they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?": This is the key. It points to another, presumably more comprehensive, source that existed at the time the book of Kings was written. This "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" was likely an official royal record, a kind of historical archive kept by the Judahite court.
In essence, the verse serves as a historical marker and a point of reference. It indicates that:
1. The book of 2 Kings is selective. It focuses on events and aspects of Josiah's reign that the author deemed most important for their theological or historical purposes.
2. More detailed historical records existed. The author acknowledged the existence of a more complete account of Josiah's reign in the "book of the chronicles."
3. The author assumes the reader's understanding. It implies that the reader is aware of this "book of the chronicles" (or at least its existence) and could, in theory, consult it for more information.
Important points to consider:
The "book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah" is not the same as the biblical books of Chronicles. While the biblical books of Chronicles draw on similar sources, they are distinct works with different perspectives and purposes.
The original "book of the chronicles" has not survived to the present day. We only know about it through references like this.
These references in Kings are valuable because they give us insight into the sources used by the authors of the Old Testament and the historical context in which they wrote.