2 Chronicles 35: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 2 Chronicles 35 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

2 Chronicles chapter 35 recounts the celebration of Passover during the reign of King Josiah, a pivotal event demonstrating the king's faithfulness to God and his desire to restore proper worship in Judah. Josiah organized the observance with great attention to detail, ensuring that the priests and Levites were prepared and that the sacrifices were made according to the Law of Moses. The chapter highlights the communal aspect of worship, as all the people from Judah and even those from Israel were invited, emphasizing their unity in covenant relationship with God.

Key verse

“So all the service of Yahweh was prepared the same day, to keep the Passover, and to offer burnt offerings on Yahweh’s altar, according to the commandment of king Josiah.”
2 Chronicles 35:16 (WEB)

Outline

2 Chronicles 35:1–2 Josiah's Passover Preparation
2 Chronicles 35:3–6 Instructions to the Priests and Levites
2 Chronicles 35:7–9 Offerings for the Passover
2 Chronicles 35:10–16 Execution of the Passover
2 Chronicles 35:17–19 Observance of Passover
2 Chronicles 35:20–24 Josiah's Conflict with Neco
2 Chronicles 35:25–27 Lament for Josiah

Discussion questions

In v6, why does Josiah instruct the people to 'sanctify yourselves'?
What offerings does Josiah give to the people in v7 for the Passover?
Josiah’s actions in v22: what does his refusal to heed Neco's warning suggest about his character?
The lamentation for Josiah in v25: why is his death met with such deep mourning from the people?
When have you felt compelled to act against advice, like Josiah did in v22?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 2 Chronicles 35: 2 Chronicles 30, 2 Chronicles 29, Ezra 6.

Before next time: read 2 Chronicles 36.