Josiah

Josiah son of Amon was king of Judah from approximately 640 to 609 BCE, renowned for the most thorough religious reformation in Israelite history. Coming to the throne at eight years of age after his wicked father's assassination, he began seeking God at sixteen and initiated sweeping purges of Baal worship, Asherah poles, and pagan shrines throughout Judah and into the former northern territories (2 Chronicles 34). The discovery of the 'Book of the Law' during Temple repairs (likely Deuteronomy) prompted grief, repentance, and the renewal of the covenant (2 Kings 22–23). He reinstated the Passover on a scale not seen since Samuel's day (2 Kings 23:22). He died at Megiddo fighting Pharaoh Neco (2 Kings 23:29–30), and his death was mourned as a national tragedy (2 Chronicles 35:24–25).