Who were Josiah's sons?

Historical and Scriptural Background

Josiah was a king of Judah noted for his earnest reforms and commitment to honoring the covenant with God. Several Old Testament passages describe his reign, most notably 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35. He became king at eight years old, initiated religious reforms by rediscovering the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8; 2 Chronicles 34:14), and systematically removed idol worship in Judah. Understanding who his sons were and how they appear in Scripture helps shed light on the final generations of the Davidic dynasty before the Babylonian exile.

Key Biblical Passages and References

Two primary sections of Scripture detail the lineage of Josiah:

• 1 Chronicles 3:15 reports: “The sons of Josiah: Johanan the firstborn, Jehoiakim the second…” and continues to list, “Zedekiah the third, Shallum the fourth.”

• 2 Chronicles 36:1–5 describes the succession of Josiah’s sons to the throne of Judah.

Within these accounts, the sons named are Johnanan (also spelled Johanan), Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum (commonly identified with Jehoahaz). Other passages such as 2 Kings 23:29–24:6, 2 Kings 24:18, 2 Chronicles 36:10, and Jeremiah 22:11 correlate with details about their identities and short reigns.

Overview of Josiah’s Sons

1. Johanan (Firstborn)

• Little is recorded about Johanan beyond 1 Chronicles 3:15. He did not reign as king, and Scripture does not describe his life events.

• Some scholars suggest Johanan may have died prematurely or for some reason was never considered for the throne. The biblical text simply preserves his name to safeguard historical and genealogical continuity.

2. Jehoiakim (Second Son)

• Originally named Eliakim (2 Kings 23:34), he received the throne name “Jehoiakim” after Pharaoh Necho II placed him on the throne in place of his brother.

• He reigned for eleven years (2 Kings 23:36) and was known for disobedience toward prophetic warnings. Jeremiah repeatedly confronted him (Jeremiah 22:13–19).

• His reign ended under the threat of Babylonian invasion; he died or was deposed before Jerusalem’s first major exile.

3. Zedekiah (Third Son)

• Zedekiah, also placed on the throne by Babylonian authority (2 Kings 24:17), served as the final king of Judah before the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

• He was known to vacillate between the counsel of the prophet Jeremiah and his own officials. Eventually, his decision to rebel against Babylon led to Jerusalem’s fall (2 Chronicles 36:13–21).

• Scripturally, Zedekiah highlights the tragic end of the Davidic monarchy’s independence at that time, though the line did not die out completely due to later genealogical threads seen in the Old Testament and ultimately through the lineage of Jesus (cf. Matthew 1:11–12).

4. Shallum (Fourth Son), Also Called Jehoahaz

• The name “Jehoahaz” appears in 2 Kings 23:30. Jeremiah 22:11 associates Shallum with this same individual: “For this is what the LORD says concerning Shallum son of Josiah, who became king in place of his father Josiah…”.

• Jehoahaz (Shallum) reigned for only three months before Pharaoh Necho II removed him from power and took him to Egypt, where he later died (2 Kings 23:31–34).

• While his reign was short, he represents one of the immediate political upheavals following Josiah’s death.

Correlation with Historical Events

When Josiah was killed fighting Pharaoh Necho II at Megiddo (2 Kings 23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:20–24), Judah quickly descended into vassalage status under Egypt and then Babylon. Josiah’s sons emerged as successive kings:

• Jehoahaz (Shallum) was enthroned but deposed by Pharaoh Necho in mere months.

• Jehoiakim then ruled as an Egyptian vassal, eventually shifting alliance to Babylon.

• Zedekiah, the last to reign, oversaw the tragic fall of Jerusalem to Babylon in 586 BC.

Outside of the direct succession, Johanan remains a figure about whom the biblical record is silent regarding further life details or rule. This abrupt transition through multiple kings in a short period carried Judah headlong into the Babylonian exile.

Manuscript Consistency and Genealogical Reliability

The books of Kings and Chronicles, preserved in the earliest Hebrew manuscripts and confirmed in fragments of the Dead Sea Scrolls, align on Josiah’s lineage, though Chronicles offers the clearest listing. Several Hebrew manuscript families and the ancient Greek Septuagint tradition confirm the existence of four named sons. The genealogical information in 1 Chronicles 3 and mention of these sons throughout 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles show textual coherence. This consistency supports a tangible historical record, further illustrated by Babylonian and Egyptian records referencing the imprisonment or subjugation of these Judean kings.

Archaeological and Historical Corroboration

• Babylonian Chronicle tablets (housed in the British Museum) record campaigns against Judah in ways consistent with the biblical account of Jehoiakim and Zedekiah.

• Egyptian inscriptions underline Pharaoh Necho’s regional campaigns, corresponding to Josiah’s death (2 Chronicles 35:22–24) and the elevation of Jehoahaz.

• Although direct epigraphic evidence naming each son is limited, the historical context for shifting Judean kingship under foreign powers corroborates the biblical narrative.

Practical and Spiritual Implications

The story of Josiah’s sons underscores the volatility of Judah’s final days before exile and reminds readers of the consequences of departing from divine counsel. While the biblical record focuses on faithfulness, it also catalogs the descent into national judgment.

Scripture repeatedly ties these historical moments to the broader plan of redemption. Throughout changes in earthly leadership, the message remains that ultimate authority and salvation are found in God and His promises, culminating in the Messiah. The line of David continues leading to this Messiah, fulfilling God’s eternal purposes (cf. 2 Samuel 7:12–16; Matthew 1:1–17).

Conclusion

Josiah, a righteous king of Judah, had four sons listed in the biblical record: Johanan, Jehoiakim, Zedekiah, and Shallum (Jehoahaz). Each is noted at pivotal points in the decline of the kingdom of Judah prior to the Babylonian exile. Their lives and reigns reflect the warnings of the prophets and the unfolding of divine judgment foretold in Scripture.

The account of these sons—supported by Hebrew manuscripts, ancient translations, and corroborated by external sources—reinforces the historical reliability of the Scriptures. Their story forms a key transition in Old Testament history, setting the stage for the exilic and post-exilic periods and ultimately pointing to God’s unwavering plan of salvation.