2 Kings22
New Living Translation
1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath.
2He did what was pleasing in the Lord’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn away from doing what was right.
3In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the Lord. He told him,
4“Go to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money the gatekeepers have collected from the people at the Lord’s Temple.
5Entrust this money to the men assigned to supervise the restoration of the Lord’s Temple. Then they can use it to pay workers to repair the Temple.
6They will need to hire carpenters, builders, and masons. Also have them buy the timber and the finished stone needed to repair the Temple.
7But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”
8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the Lord’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it.
9Shaphan went to the king and reported, “Your officials have turned over the money collected at the Temple of the Lord to the workers and supervisors at the Temple.”
10Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.
11When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.
12Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser:
13“Go to the Temple and speak to the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.”
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple wardrobe.
15She said to them, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go back and tell the man who sent you,
16‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this city and its people. All the words written in the scroll that the king of Judah has read will come true.
17For my people have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger will burn against this place, and it will not be quenched.’
18“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him: ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard:
19You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the Lord.
20So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’” So they took her message back to the king.
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for 2 Kings 22.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Josiah's good reign, His care for repairing the temple, The book of the law found. (1–10). Josiah consults Huldah the prophetess. (11–20).
vv1-10
The different event of Josiah's early succession from that of Manasseh, must be ascribed to the distinguishing grace of God; yet probably the persons that trained him up were instruments in producing this difference. His character was most excellent. Had the people joined in the reformation as heartily as he persevered in it, blessed effects would have followed. But they were wicked, and had become fools in idolatry. We do not obtain full knowledge of the state of Judah from the historical records, unless we refer to the writings of the prophets who lived at the time. In repairing the temple, the book of the law was found, and brought to the king. It seems, this book of the law was lost and missing; carelessly mislaid and neglected, as some throw their Bibles into corners, or maliciously concealed by some of the idolaters. God's care of the Bible plainly shows his interest in it. Whether this was the only copy in being or not, the things contained in it were new, both to the king and to the high priest. No summaries, extracts, or collections out of the Bible, can convey and preserve the knowledge of God and his will, like the Bible itself. It was no marvel that the people were so corrupt, when the book of the law was so scarce; they that corrupted them, no doubt, used arts to get that book out of their hands. The abundance of Bibles we possess aggravates our national sins; for what greater contempt of God can we show, than to refuse to read his word when put into our hands, or, reading it, not to believe and obey it? By the holy law is the knowledge of sin, and by the blessed gospel is the knowledge of salvation. When the former is understood in its strictness and excellence, the sinner begins to inquire, What must I do to be saved? And the ministers of the gospel point out to him Jesus Christ, as the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
vv11-20
The book of the law is read before the king. Those best honour their Bibles, who study them; daily feed on that bread, and walk by that light. Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? Also, what we may expect, and must provide for. Those who are truly apprehensive of the weight of God's wrath, cannot but be very anxious how they may be saved. Huldah let Josiah know what judgments God had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. The generality of the people were hardened, and their hearts unhumbled, but Josiah's heart was tender. This is tenderness of heart, and thus he humbled himself before the Lord. Those who most fear God's wrath, are least likely to feel it. Though Josiah was mortally wounded in battle, yet he died in peace with God, and went to glory. Whatever such persons suffer or witness, they are gathered to the grave in peace, and shall enter into the rest which remaineth for the people of God.
Key Words
יֹאשִׁיָּה: Joshijah, the name of two Israelites
שְׁמֹנֶה: a cardinal number, eight (as if a surplus above the 'perfect' seven); also (as ordinal) eighth
שָׁנֶה: a year (as a revolution of time)
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
מָלַךְ: to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence (by implication) to take counsel
יְרוּשָׁלַ͏ִם: Jerushalaim or Jerushalem, the capital city of Palestine
אֵם: a mother (as the bond of the family); in a wide sense (both literally and figuratively (like father))
שֵׁם: an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
יְדִידָה: Jedidah, an Israelitess
בַּת: a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)
Cross References
2 Kings 22Parallel account highlighting that the discovered book of the Law was written by Moses.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The command to place the Book of the Law beside the Ark, where it was later found.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
The parallel account detailing the finding of the book and the subsequent royal inquiry.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Precedent under Jehoash where temple repair money was delivered without reckoning due to faithfulness.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallel account of Huldah's specific message of peace and comfort to King Josiah.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallel details of the levitical collection and temple repairs under Hilkiah and Shaphan.
Supported by JFB
Ahikam the son of Shaphan later protects the prophet Jeremiah, demonstrating his family's piety.
Supported by JFB
Identifies Achbor (or Abdon) as an influential court official in Jeremiah's time.
Supported by JFB
The specific covenant curses read to Josiah that caused him to rend his clothes.
Supported by JFB
Josiah's reformations and birth were explicitly prophesied by name centuries earlier.
Supported by Matthew Henry
The law requiring the king to write and read a personal copy of the Law.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Shaphan the scribe reports to the king, initiating the reading of the book.
Supported by JFB
Parallel verification of the priestly/royal lineage of Harhas and Huldah's husband.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Establishes the levitical gatekeepers/door keepers according to the command of David.
Supported by Matthew Poole
The righteous are mercifully taken away to rest in peace before overwhelming calamity arrives.
Supported by Matthew Henry