
2 Kings 22
In this chapter, Josiah becomes king of Judah at a young age and is described as a righteous ruler who follows the ways of David. During his reign, the temple is repaired, and the Book of the Law is rediscovered, sparking a religious reform. Josiah’s reaction to the reading of the Law demonstrates his commitment to the covenant, leading to a profound renewal of the nation’s relationship with God.
2 Kings 22:1-5 (NKJV)
1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
3 Now it came to pass, in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the scribe, the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the Lord, saying,
4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people.
5 And let them deliver it into the hand of those doing the work, who are the overseers in the house of the Lord; let them give it to those who are in the house of the Lord doing the work, to repair the damages of the house—”
Josiah is presented as a faithful king who walked in the ways of David, showing his dedication to God’s commands. At only eight years old, Josiah began his reign, and by his eighteenth year, he initiated repairs to the temple, a sign of spiritual revival. He entrusted the temple’s renovation to faithful workers, ensuring that the money collected for repairs was used properly, showing his concern for the worship of God and the care of the sacred space.
2 Kings 22:6 (NKJV)
6 to carpenters and builders and masons—and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
Josiah’s orders extended to the practical needs of the temple repairs. Skilled laborers, including carpenters and masons, were hired to ensure that the temple was restored using high-quality materials such as timber and stone. This reflects the king’s desire for a thorough restoration, one that upheld the importance of the house of God.
2 Kings 22:7 (NKJV)
7 However there need be no accounting made with them of the money delivered into their hand, because they deal faithfully.
Josiah trusted the workers completely, indicating their integrity and commitment to the task. There was no need to keep a strict record of the funds since those entrusted with the work were faithful. This highlights the presence of honest and trustworthy men in the temple restoration, who served with sincerity in God’s house.
2 Kings 22:8 (NKJV)
8 Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
While the temple was being repaired, Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law. This was a monumental discovery, as the Law had been neglected for a long time. Shaphan, the scribe, immediately read it, signifying its importance. The rediscovery of this sacred text would soon have profound consequences for Josiah and the nation.
2 Kings 22:9-10 (NKJV)
9 So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the Lord.”
10 Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
After reporting on the progress of the temple repairs, Shaphan informed Josiah of the discovery of the Book of the Law. He read it to the king, presenting the words of God that had been hidden and forgotten. This reading of the Law would deeply move Josiah, marking the beginning of a spiritual reformation.
2 Kings 22:11 (NKJV)
11 Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes, a traditional expression of grief and repentance. Josiah realized how far the nation had strayed from God’s commandments, and his reaction shows his sorrow over Judah’s spiritual state. This marked the beginning of a personal and national repentance.
2 Kings 22:12-13 (NKJV)
12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying,
13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
Josiah understood the gravity of what he had heard and immediately sent his officials to inquire of the Lord. His concern was not just for himself but for the entire nation of Judah. He recognized that the failure of past generations to obey God’s Law had brought them under divine wrath, and he sought guidance on how to respond.
2 Kings 22:14 (NKJV)
14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She dwelt in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter. And they spoke with her.
The officials sought out Huldah the prophetess, who was known for her ability to convey messages from God. Her role as a prophetess in Jerusalem during this time shows that God was still speaking to His people, and that women, too, played important roles in the spiritual life of Israel.
2 Kings 22:15-17 (NKJV)
15 Then she said to them, “Thus says the Lord God of Israel, ‘Tell the man who sent you to Me,
16 “Thus says the Lord: ‘Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read—
17 because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.’”’”
Huldah delivered a message of judgment from the Lord. The people of Judah had turned away from God, worshiped false gods, and provoked Him to anger. As a result, the curses written in the Law would be fulfilled, and disaster would come upon the land. This reveals the seriousness of forsaking God and the consequences of idolatry.
2 Kings 22:18-20 (NKJV)
18 “But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the Lord God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard—
19 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord.
20 “Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.”’” So they brought back word to the king.
Because Josiah humbled himself before God and showed genuine repentance, God assured him that he would be spared from witnessing the coming judgment. He would die in peace before the calamity fell upon Judah. This highlights God’s mercy toward those who turn to Him in humility and seek His will.