20 May
Bible in 365 Days 
2 Chronicles 35-36
2 Chronicles 35
This chapter gives us the story of the great Passover, in which, following in the steps of Hezekiah, after the cleansing of the land and the restoration of the people Josiah thus restored the great feast of the Exodus.
In the account of the joy following the Passover of Hezekiah, comparison is made with the times of Solomon. Under Josiah this goes further back than Solomon, and declares that none like it was kept by any king.
Following the story of his death we read of the lamentation of the people. Josiah had evidently made himself greatly beloved by them, and the probability is that the reforms he instituted were based on that love rather than on the people's real return to devotion to God. Hence the transitory nature of the reformation, which was so soon followed by the final stages in the corruption even in Judah.
2 Chronicles 36
This is the record of the final movements in the downward course of Judah. They are graphically given. First Jehoahaz reigned for three months, and was deposed by the king of Egypt. Jehoiakim succeeded by appointment of Pharaoh, and after eleven years of continued evil courses was carried prisoner by Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon.
In turn he was succeeded by Jehoiachin, who persisted in the same evil courses for three months and ten days, and in turn was carried away by Nebuchadnezzar.
Zedekiah, appointed by Nebuchadnezzar to the succession, rebelled against him, and continued the same evil history for eleven years, during which corruption became practically universal, the priests and the people sharing therein. Through all these dark days God still patiently waited, sending His messengers because of His compassion. The men who had rebelled against His government contemned His mercy, until the Chaldeans, a people without compassion, swept down upon them like a terrible scourge, and carried the remnant away captive to Babylon.
The Book closes with a statement of the proclamation of Cyrus, which also opens the Book of Ezra.
