2 Chronicles 34:2

Authorized King James Version

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And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.

Original Language Analysis

וַיַּ֥עַשׂ And he did H6213
וַיַּ֥עַשׂ And he did
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 1 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַיָּשָׁ֖ר that which was right H3477
הַיָּשָׁ֖ר that which was right
Strong's: H3477
Word #: 2 of 12
straight (literally or figuratively)
בְּעֵינֵ֣י in the sight H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֣י in the sight
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 3 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD H3068
יְהוָ֑ה of the LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 4 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ H1980
וַיֵּ֗לֶךְ
Strong's: H1980
Word #: 5 of 12
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
בְּדַרְכֵי֙ in the ways H1870
בְּדַרְכֵי֙ in the ways
Strong's: H1870
Word #: 6 of 12
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
דָּוִ֣יד of David H1732
דָּוִ֣יד of David
Strong's: H1732
Word #: 7 of 12
david, the youngest son of jesse
אָבִ֔יו his father H1
אָבִ֔יו his father
Strong's: H1
Word #: 8 of 12
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
וְלֹא H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 9 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
סָ֖ר and declined H5493
סָ֖ר and declined
Strong's: H5493
Word #: 10 of 12
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
יָמִ֥ין neither to the right hand H3225
יָמִ֥ין neither to the right hand
Strong's: H3225
Word #: 11 of 12
the right hand or side (leg, eye) of a person or other object (as the stronger and more dexterous); locally, the south
וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃ nor to the left H8040
וּשְׂמֹֽאול׃ nor to the left
Strong's: H8040
Word #: 12 of 12
properly, dark (as enveloped), i.e., the north; hence (by orientation), the left hand

Cross References

2 Chronicles 29:2And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that David his father had done.Proverbs 4:27Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.Deuteronomy 17:20That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.Deuteronomy 17:11According to the sentence of the law which they shall teach thee, and according to the judgment which they shall tell thee, thou shalt do: thou shalt not decline from the sentence which they shall shew thee, to the right hand, nor to the left.Deuteronomy 28:14And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.Deuteronomy 5:32Ye shall observe to do therefore as the LORD your God hath commanded you: ye shall not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.Joshua 1:7Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.Joshua 23:6Be ye therefore very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left;1 Kings 14:8And rent the kingdom away from the house of David, and gave it thee: and yet thou hast not been as my servant David, who kept my commandments, and who followed me with all his heart, to do that only which was right in mine eyes;1 Kings 15:5Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.

Analysis & Commentary

Young King Josiah's faithfulness is described: 'And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left.' Beginning his reign at age 8, Josiah's spiritual integrity came through divine grace, not family influence (his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh were wicked). The phrase 'declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left' echoes Deuteronomic covenant faithfulness (Deuteronomy 5:32). Following 'David his father' skips intervening generations to return to the covenant ideal. This demonstrates God's sovereign grace in raising up faithful leaders even from ungodly lineage, pointing to Christ, the Son of David who perfectly walks God's ways.

Historical Context

Josiah's reign (640-609 BCE) marked Judah's last great reform before Babylonian exile. His discovery of the Law scroll (34:14-33) sparked revival, showing that God's Word has power even when neglected for generations. His death fighting Egypt (35:20-24) ended the reform movement.

Questions for Reflection