Josiah's discovery of the law book triggers the only recorded instance where a king tears his clothes in repentance and immediately enacts comprehensive religious reforms.
2 Kings 22
Josiah's Reign and Reforms
1Josiah 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.
2He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the LORD’s house, saying,
4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which is brought into the LORD’s house, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people.
5Let them deliver it into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the LORD’s house; and let them give it to the workers who are in the LORD’s house, to repair the damage to the house,
6to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house.
7However, no accounting shall be asked of them for the money delivered into their hand, for they deal faithfully.”
8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “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 oversight of the LORD’s house.”
10Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.
11When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
12The 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,
13“Go inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the LORD’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”
14So 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.
15She said to them, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,
16“The LORD says, ‘Behold, 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.
17Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’”
18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard,
19because 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 should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,’ says the LORD.
20‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, 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.
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Theme
King Josiah, who began ruling at age eight and faithfully followed the Lord, initiates temple repairs in his eighteenth year of reign. During the restoration work, the high priest Hilkiah discovers the Book of the Law, which had been lost. When the book is read to Josiah, he tears his clothes in distress, recognizing how far the nation has strayed from God's commands, and sends officials to inquire of the prophetess Huldah about God's judgment.
Context
This chapter marks a pivotal moment in Judah's history, following the wicked reigns of Manasseh and Amon, and sets the stage for Josiah's comprehensive religious reforms in chapter 23.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-2 Josiah's Righteous Reign Introduction to Josiah as a king who walked faithfully in the ways of David
- 3-7 Temple Restoration Project Josiah orders repairs to the Lord's house and entrusts the work to faithful overseers
- 8-10 Discovery of the Law Book High priest Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law during temple repairs and reports it to the king
- 11-13 Josiah's Response to the Law The king tears his clothes in distress and commands his officials to inquire of the Lord
- 14-20 Huldah's Prophetic Message The prophetess delivers God's word of coming judgment on the nation but mercy for Josiah
Josiah's Reign and Reforms
22:1–23:30 narrative narration hopeful
King Josiah begins his righteous reign at age eight, following David's example, and initiates temple repairs during which the book of the law is discovered.
person_contrast
Josiah's discovery of the law book triggers the only recorded instance where a king tears his clothes in repentance and immediately enacts comprehensive religious reforms.
Insights
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
2 Kings 22:1 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:1 Lexical
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem.
1 Kings 16:29 Lexical
In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab the son of Omri began to reign over Israel. Ahab the son of Omri re…
2 Chronicles 21:5 Lexical
Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
2 Kings 8:17 Lexical
He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign. He reigned eight years in Jerusalem.
2 Chronicles 21:20 Lexical
He was thirty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He departed with no one’s r…
2 Kings 22:2 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:2 Lexical
He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the…
1 Samuel 6:12 Lexical
The cows took the straight way by the way to Beth Shemesh. They went along the highway, lowing as they went, and didn’t…
Deuteronomy 17:20 Lexical
that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or…
Joshua 1:7 Lexical
Only be strong and very courageous. Be careful to observe to do according to all the law which Moses my servant commande…
Joshua 23:6 Lexical
“Therefore be very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that you not turn a…
2 Kings 22:3 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Chronicles 34:8 Lexical
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had purged the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah,…
2 Chronicles 35:19 Lexical
This Passover was kept in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah.
2 Kings 23:23 Lexical
but in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
2 Kings 22:4 1 reference
2 Kings 22:6 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 34:11 Lexical
They gave it to the carpenters and to the builders to buy cut stone and timber for couplings, and to make beams for the…
2 Samuel 5:11 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house.
1 Chronicles 22:15 Lexical
There are also workmen with you in abundance—cutters and workers of stone and timber, and all kinds of men who are skill…
1 Chronicles 14:1 Lexical
Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house.
2 Kings 22:8 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:15 Lexical
Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the bo…
2 Chronicles 34:18 Lexical
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king…
2 Kings 23:24 Lexical
Moreover, Josiah removed those who had familiar spirits, the wizards, and the teraphim, and the idols, and all the abomi…
2 Chronicles 34:14 Lexical
When they brought out the money that was brought into the LORD’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the LORD’s…
2 Chronicles 34:20 Lexical
The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s…
2 Kings 22:9 2 references
Lexicals 2
2 Kings 22:10 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:18 Lexical
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king…
2 Chronicles 34:15 Lexical
Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the bo…
2 Chronicles 34:20 Lexical
The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s…
Jeremiah 36:10 Lexical
Then Baruch read the words of Jeremiah from the book in the LORD’s house, in the room of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the…
2 Kings 18:37 Lexical
Then Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, who was over the household, came with Shebna the scribe and Joah the son of Asaph the r…
2 Kings 22:11 2 references
2 Kings 22:12 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 34:20 Lexical
The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s…
Jeremiah 36:12 Lexical
he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s room; and behold, all the princes were sitting there, Elishama the…
2 Chronicles 34:18 Lexical
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered me a book.” Shaphan read from it to the king…
2 Chronicles 34:15 Lexical
Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the bo…
2 Kings 22:13 1 reference
2 Kings 22:14 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Chronicles 34:22 Lexical
So Hilkiah and those whom the king had commanded went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath,…
2 Chronicles 34:20 Lexical
The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s…
Jeremiah 36:12 Lexical
he went down into the king’s house, into the scribe’s room; and behold, all the princes were sitting there, Elishama the…
2 Kings 22:17 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:25 Lexical
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the w…
Jeremiah 32:29 Lexical
The Chaldeans, who fight against this city, will come and set this city on fire, and burn it with the houses on whose ro…
Jeremiah 44:8 Lexical
in that you provoke me to anger with the works of your hands, burning incense to other gods in the land of Egypt where y…
Jeremiah 1:16 Lexical
I will utter my judgments against them concerning all their wickedness, in that they have forsaken me, and have burned i…
Jeremiah 19:4 Lexical
Because they have forsaken me, and have defiled this place, and have burned incense in it to other gods that they didn’t…
2 Kings 22:19 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 34:27 Lexical
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and again…
Jeremiah 49:13 Lexical
For I have sworn by myself,” says the LORD, “that Bozrah will become an astonishment, a reproach, a waste, and a curse.…
Jeremiah 42:18 Lexical
For the LORD of Armies, the God of Israel, says: ‘As my anger and my wrath has been poured out on the inhabitants of Jer…
Joel 2:13 Lexical
Tear your heart and not your garments, and turn to the LORD, your God; for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, a…
Judges 11:35 Lexical
When he saw her, he tore his clothes, and said, “Alas, my daughter! You have brought me very low, and you are one of tho…
2 Kings 22:20 1 reference
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