1. This Amon imitated those works of his father which he insolently did
when he was young: so he had a conspiracy made against him by his own
servants, and was slain in his own house, when he had lived twenty-four
years, and of them had reigned two. But the multitude punished those
that slew Amon, and buried him with his father, and gave the kingdom to
his son Josiah, who was eight years old. His mother was of the city
of Boscath, and her name was Jedidah. He was of a most excellent
disposition, and naturally virtuous, and followed the actions of king
David, as a pattern and a rule to him in the whole conduct of his
life. And when he was twelve years old, he gave demonstrations of his
religious and righteous behavior; for he brought the people to a sober
way of living, and exhorted them to leave off the opinion they had of
their idols, because they were not gods, but to worship their own
God. And by repeating on the actions of his progenitors, he prudently
corrected what they did wrong, like a very elderly man, and like one
abundantly able to understand what was fit to be done; and what he found
they had well done, he observed all the country over, and imitated the
same. And thus he acted in following the wisdom and sagacity of his own
nature, and in compliance with the advice and instruction of the elders;
for by following the laws it was that he succeeded so well in the order
of his government, and in piety with regard to the Divine worship. And
this happened because the transgressions of the former kings were seen
no more, but quite vanished away; for the king went about the city, and
the whole country, and cut down the groves which were devoted to strange
gods, and overthrew their altars; and if there were any gifts dedicated
to them by his forefathers, he made them ignominious, and plucked them
down; and by this means he brought the people back from their opinion
about them to the worship of God. He also offered his accustomed
sacrifices and burnt-offerings upon the altar. Moreover, he ordained
certain judges and overseers, that they might order the matters to them
severally belonging, and have regard to justice above all things, and
distribute it with the same concern they would have about their own
soul. He also sent over all the country, and desired such as pleased to
bring gold and silver for the repairs of the temple, according to every
one's inclinations and abilities. And when the money was brought in, he