John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem .] Josiah sent messengers throughout the land, and convened all the principal men in it at Jerusalem.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-3 - Josiah had received a message from God, that there was no preventin 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 of hypocritical herein, yet much outward wickedness would be prevented and they were accountable to God for their own conduct.
Original Hebrew וישׁלח7971 המלך4428 ויאספו622 אליו413 כל3605 זקני2205 יהודה3063 וירושׁלם׃3389
