2 Kings 23:15-20

What earlier word is remembered at Bethel?

Berean Standard Bible

15 He even pulled down the altar at Bethel, the high place set up by Jeroboam son of Nebat, who had caused Israel to sin. Then he burned the high place, ground it to powder, and burned the Asherah pole. 16 And as Josiah turned, he saw the tombs there on the hillside, and he sent someone to take the bones out of the tombs, and he burned them on the altar to defile it, according to the word of the LORD proclaimed by the man of God who had foretold these things. 17 Then the king asked, “What is this monument I see?” And the men of the city replied, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done to the altar of Bethel.” 18 “Let him rest,” said Josiah. “Do not let anyone disturb his bones.” So they left his bones undisturbed, along with those of the prophet who had come from Samaria. 19 Just as Josiah had done at Bethel, so also in the cities of Samaria he removed all the shrines of the high places set up by the kings of Israel who had provoked the LORD to anger. 20 On the altars he slaughtered all the priests of the high places, and he burned human bones on them. Then he returned to Jerusalem.

What is the context?

Josiah destroys the altar and high place associated with Jeroboam at Bethel. He burns bones from nearby tombs on the altar, defiling it in accordance with the earlier word of the Lord.

When he asks about a monument, the local men identify the grave of the man of God who had foretold these actions. Josiah leaves that prophet’s bones undisturbed, along with those of the other prophet buried with him.

The reform extends to shrines in Samaria, where Josiah kills the priests on their altars and burns human bones. Both the violence and the stated link with the earlier prophecy belong to this account; it does not authorize modern readers to claim the same royal commission.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley connects the action with 1 Kings 13:1–3, where a future Davidic king named Josiah is announced. The same chapter explains the shared burial through the old prophet’s request. This is a specific connection supplied by the biblical narrative, rather than a claim that every later religious reform fulfills a hidden prediction.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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