2 Kings 23 recounts the righteous reforms carried out by King Josiah of Judah. Josiah gathers all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem and reads to them the Book of the Law that was found in the house of the Lord. Upon realizing that the nation had strayed from God's commandments, Josiah tears his clothes in distress and seeks guidance from the prophetess Huldah. She confirms that the Lord will bring disaster upon Jerusalem and its inhabitants but spares Josiah due to his repentance.
King Josiah then proceeds to destroy all the idols and false gods in Judah and purifies the temple. He removes the idolatrous priests from their positions, demolishes the shrines of pagan worship, and desecrates the high places where sacrifices were made. He even destroys the altars and symbols of worship in Samaria, which belonged to the northern kingdom of Israel.
Josiah celebrates the Passover with great zeal, following the instructions written in the Book of the Covenant. This Passover is considered one of the most significant celebrations since the days of the judges.
Although Josiah successfully eradicates idolatry, the chapter ends by stating that the Lord's wrath against Judah was not turned away due to the sins of Manasseh, Josiah's grandfather.