King Josiah of Judah Recovers the Book of the Law

2 Kings 22

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of YHWH and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn away to the right hand or to the left.

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of YHWH, saying, “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of YHWH, which the doorkeepers have gathered from the people. Let them deliver it into the hand of the workers who supervise the house of YHWH. Have them give it to the workers who are in the house of YHWH to repair the damage to the house, to the carpenters, the builders, and the masons to buyi timber and cut stone to repair the house. However, no accounting is required for the money delivered into their hand, because they deal faithfully.”

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the house of YHWH.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought the king word again, saying, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversee the house of YHWH.” Shaphan the scribe informed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it outloud before the king.

When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, “Y’all must go inquire of YHWH for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, about the words of this book that is found. Great is YHWH’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our ancestors have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”

Huldah the Prophetess Proclaims YHWH’s Word to King Josiah

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 (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. She said to them, “YHWH the God of Israel says, ‘Y’all must tell the man who sent y’all to me, “YHWH says, ‘Look, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods and provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, my wrath burns against this place, and it will not be quenched.’” But y’all are to tell the king of Judah, who sent y’all to inquire of YHWH, “YHWH the God of Israel says, ‘Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before YHWH when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,’ says YHWH. ‘Therefore look, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So they brought this message back to the king.