2 Kings 22:2 Meaning: The Meaning of "Not Turning Aside"
He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
and he doth that which is right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walketh in all the way of David his father, and hath not turned aside--right or left.
And he did what was right in the sight of Jehovah, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand nor to the left.
Meaning in one sentence
What does it mean to not turn aside to the right or left? Josiah's faithfulness offers a model of unwavering obedience to God's commands.
Context
The second book of Kings tracks the final years of Judah's rulers and the fall of Jerusalem. After two generations of wicked kings, Josiah takes the throne at eight years old. This verse introduces his reign with a summary: he lived uprightly before God and followed the path of David his ancestor. The language of not turning aside comes directly from Deuteronomy and Joshua, where God commands His people to stay faithful to His law. It sets the stage for the reform that follows, Josiah repairs the temple and rediscovers the Book of the Law.
Key Words
The Hebrew word for right is yashar, meaning straight, level, or upright. When Josiah does what is right in the Lord's eyes, he aligns himself with God's plumb line, not his own opinions or the culture around him. It is the same word used for the straight paths of the Lord.
Then the verse says he walked in the way of David. The word is derekh, which means a road or journey, but also a whole manner of life. For Josiah, walking in David's way meant more than copying religious habits; it meant trusting the same God, repenting when he failed, and keeping the covenant.
Finally, he didn't turn away, the Hebrew verb sur, meaning to turn aside, depart, or remove. The phrase "to the right hand or to the left" pictures a traveler who keeps his eyes fixed on the destination. Josiah did not get distracted by the shortcuts or detours that tempted other kings. His faithfulness was steady, consistent, and wholehearted.
How Christians Read This Verse
Reformed commentator Matthew Henry emphasizes that Josiah walked in the ways of David, imitating his piety and devotion to God's law. The Geneva Bible notes that Josiah did uprightly especially in religious worship. Keil and Delitzsch point out that the phrase "not turning aside" comes directly from Deuteronomy and expresses unwavering adherence to the law. Baptist scholar John Gill says Josiah kept "an even, constant path of worship and duty."
Christians across traditions agree that Josiah's faithfulness was remarkable, especially after his father's wickedness. Some see his wholehearted obedience as surpassing even David's, since David had notable failures. The comparison to David remains the standard, not sinless perfection, but a heart fully set on God.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that "did not turn aside to the right or left" means Josiah never sinned. In fact, the phrase (drawn from Deuteronomy 5:32 and Joshua 1:7) describes a consistent direction of obedience, not absolute perfection. Josiah later made a tragic mistake in going to war against Pharaoh Neco against God's warning (2 Chronicles 35:20-24). The verse celebrates his steadfast commitment to God's law over his reign, not a flawless record.
Living This Out
Josiah's example gives a picture of what steady faithfulness looks like. This week you might face small choices that test your integrity: a half-truth that would make things easier, a shortcut at work, a compromise in relationships that you know is wrong. Josiah didn't turn aside to the right or left, he kept walking straight. You don't need to be perfect; you need to keep your eyes on God and take the next right step. When you feel pulled in different directions, remember that the Lord sees not only your actions but the direction of your heart.
Main takeaway: Walking in God's ways means staying on His path, not turning aside for convenience or compromise.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Josiah was a young king who loved God. He tried to do the right thing, even when it was hard. You can follow God's ways too, by staying close to Him.
For ages 9, 12
Josiah became king when he was just eight years old. He decided to follow God completely, just like his great ancestor David. The Bible says he didn't turn aside to the right or left, meaning he kept going straight on God's path. When you have to choose between what's easy and what's right, remember Josiah and keep your eyes on God.
Questions People Ask
What does "did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord" mean?
This phrase means Josiah acted in a way that pleased God, according to God's standards of righteousness, not human opinion. It echoes the evaluation of other good kings like David and Hezekiah, who also sought to obey God's commands.
Why is Josiah compared to David?
David served as the standard for faithful kings because of his wholehearted devotion to God despite his failures. Comparing Josiah to David highlights his commitment to obey God's commands and follow the covenant path, even though David himself had notable sins.
What does "did not turn aside to the right or the left" mean?
This expression comes from Deuteronomy 5:32 and Joshua 1:7 and describes unwavering obedience to God's law. It means Josiah did not compromise or take shortcuts; he stayed faithful to God's commands throughout his reign, keeping a steady direction rather than being pulled by temptations.
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