מלכים ב, פרק כ״ג, פסוק כ״א

Following a thorough campaign to rid Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, pagan priests, and statues, the people experience a profound renewal in their commitment to God. To seal this spiritual transformation, King Josiah commands a step that is both practical and deeply symbolic: the observance of Passover exactly as prescribed in the Book of the Covenant, which refers to the Book of the Torah [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. The choice of this specific holiday is highly intentional. Just as the original Passover in Egypt served to reject the Egyptian worship of the ram, celebrating it now stands as a powerful declaration against the idolatry that had recently infected the nation [מלבי״ם].

While historical records note that a Passover of this kind had not been observed since the era of the Judges, commentators agree that the nation had never completely abandoned the holiday. Passover was indeed celebrated during the reigns of previous kings. The uniqueness of this specific observance, held in the eighteenth year of Josiah's rule, lies in its absolute purity. It takes place only after the total removal of illegal altars and idol worship, marked by the united participation of the people and a shared hope for continued faithfulness to the Torah [מלבי״ם, אברבנאל, צאינה וראינה].

Earlier periods were marred by various flaws in how the holiday was kept. During the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon, unauthorized altars still remained throughout the land. Even when King Hezekiah attempted to restore the Temple service, the national repentance was incomplete. Some people openly mocked the messengers who invited them to Jerusalem, and among those who did attend, many ate the Passover sacrifice in a state of impurity. Josiah's Passover, by contrast, is fulfilled under perfect conditions and in a state of complete purity. The only comparable historical era is the time of the Judges, specifically during the leadership of Samuel the Prophet. Only then did the nation experience such a comprehensive, sincere return to God, where the entire house of Israel followed Him with a whole heart [אברבנאל, מלבי״ם].