231 Then the king called together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
231 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
231 Then the king sent, and all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem were gathered to him.
231 The king acted immediately, assembling all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
231 Now the king sent them to gather all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem to him.
231 Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1
Commentary on 2 Kings 23:1-3
(Read 2 Kings 23:1-3)
Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no preventing the ruin of Jerusalem, but that he should only deliver his own soul; yet he does his duty, and leaves the event to God. He engaged the people in the most solemn manner to abolish idolatry, and to serve God in righteousness and true holiness. Though most were formal or hypocritical herein, yet much outward wickedness would be prevented, and they were accountable to God for their own conduct.