How did josiah's actions affect the religious lives of all the children of israel?

King Josiah was Judah's last gasp — the last good thing thathappened to the Israelites before their kingdom was destroyed.

Josiah became king as a child of only eight, and soon took an interestin the LORD, contrary to his father King Amon. Early in life he instituted reforms and took steps against idol worship.

At 25 years of age, Josiah decided to rebuild theLORD's temple, deteriorated with age. As theworkers were cleaning, they found an obscure bookthat no one had ever heard of — the Bible, forgotten byprevious generations. As the king listened to his secretary read theBible, he was struck with grief and terror, certain theLORD was furious with Josiah and his people fortheir disobedience.

Immediately, Josiah set upon a sweeping programto eliminate pagan worship and renew the ancient covenant of theLORD. He toured the land, destroying paganshrines, and celebrated the Passover for the first time in decades.

The revival was wonderful. But as soon as Josiah died, the people returned to their evil ways, andbefore his sons reached middle age, the LORD'sjudgment for centuries of evil practices came, and Judah was no more.