2 Kings 23:1

All the elders. Wise leaders consult with leaders. Josiah gathered together all the leading men of the nation in order to see whether something could be done to avert the threatened calamity, or to cause the coming judgment to be tempered with mercy. In announcing doom, God did not preclude repentance and reformation. Nothing would be lost by setting before the people the terrible fate that threatened if they persisted in their iniquity. What was needed was a return to God and righteousness, and Josiah determined that every possible effort should be put forth to bring about a national revival.