But the people of the land killed all those who had conspired against King Amon, and the people of the land made his son Josiah king in place of him — the populace responds to Amon's assassination by executing the conspirators and crowning his son Josiah. The phrase 'the people of the land' (עַם־הָאָרֶץ, *am ha-aretz*) indicates popular intervention in succession politics. Josiah's coronation by popular initiative suggests either his youth requiring regency or the populace's determination to restore legitimate succession after assassination.

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