According to his book Zephaniah was a great-great-grandson of Hezekiah, and King Josiah was a great- grandson of Hezekiah. Maybe they were related or maybe these were different Hezekiah’s, but it is interesting to ponder.
Zephaniah’s prophecy may have been in the early years of Josiah’s reign before the reforms began to take place or maybe Zephaniah was aware of a lot of hypocrisy among some Jewish leaders who give half-hearted support to Josiah’s reforms. But it was there because Josiah’s three sons and grandson who succeeded him never followed God.
Zephaniah prophesied a world-wide calamity but then mentions specific nations surrounding Judah. We need to understand that to people in those days their world was fairly small. This was the conquest of the Babylonians. The Kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians shortly after Josiah’s death.
Outline:
1A. Judgment coming to Judah, but there is still time to repent. Chapters 1:2-2:3
2A. Judgment coming on surrounding nations. Chapter 2:4-15
3A. Judgment coming to Judah with restoration promised. Chapter 3
Key Verse: “For the Lord will remove His hand of judgment and will disperse the armies of your enemy. And the Lord Himself, the King of Israel, will live among you! At last your troubles will be over, and you will never again fear disaster.” Zephaniah 3:15 NLT.