²⁶ There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon^(A) son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

¹⁸ The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem.