Josiah's Death in the Book of Kings : A New Solution to an Old Theological Conundrum

Abstract

Most recent studies dealing in Josiah's death have focused on a comparison between the books of Kings and Chronicles. In this study I attempted to answer the theological question of how the author of the Book of Kings explains the death of the righteous king Josiah. My claim is that the Deuteronomist finds fault with Josiah's behaviour before setting out on a war against the King of Egypt. Josiah should have consulted a prophet. When he did not he became vulnerable to the enemy. Josiah is thus included in the list of kings who are criticized for acting independently, without consulting a prophet. These kings' decisions would have been justified from their point of view, but according to the prophets living at that time they led to disaster.