2 Chronicles 34:18-28

18 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

19 When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.

20 He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah,^[a] Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant:

21 “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the LORD; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.”

22 Hilkiah and those the king had sent with him^[b] went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath,^[c] the son of Hasrah,^[d] keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

23 She said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,

24 ‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah.

25 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all that their hands have made,^[e] my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched.’

26 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard:

27 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.

28 Now I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.’ ” So they took her answer back to the king.

2 Chronicles 34:18-28 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 CHRONICLES 34

This chapter begins with the good reign of Josiah, the reformation he made in the land, purging it from idolatry, 2Ch 34:1-7, relates the orders he gave to repair the house of the Lord, which was accordingly done, 2Ch 34:8-13, when the book of the law was found and brought to him, which greatly affected him, 2Ch 34:12-19, upon which he deputed some persons to inquire of the Lord, who did of Huldah the prophetess, to whom she gave an answer, which they returned to the king, 2Ch 34:20-28 and the chapter is concluded with an account of reading the book in the ears of all the people, and of the king, and then making a covenant with the Lord to serve him, 2Ch 34:27-33.

Of these two verses, \\see Gill on "2Ki 22:1"\\, \\see Gill on "2Ki 22:2"\\. 19893-950128-2136-2Ch34.2

Cross References

• 1. Deuteronomy 28:3-68
• 2. Joshua 7:6; Isaiah 36:22; Isaiah 37:1
• 3. S 2 Kings 22:3
• 4. 2 Chronicles 29:8; Lamentations 2:4; Lamentations 4:11; Ezekiel 36:18
• 5. S Exodus 15:20; Nehemiah 6:14
• 6. Proverbs 16:4; Isaiah 3:9; Jeremiah 40:2; Jeremiah 42:10; Jeremiah 44:2,11
• 7. 2 Chronicles 36:14-20
• 8. Deuteronomy 28:15-68
• 9. 2 Chronicles 33:3-6; Jeremiah 22:9
• 10. S 2 Chronicles 12:7; 2 Chronicles 32:26
• 11. S Exodus 10:3; S 2 Chronicles 6:37
• 12. 2 Chronicles 35:20-25
• 13. S 2 Chronicles 32:26

Footnotes

• [a]. Also called "Akbor son of Micaiah"
• [b]. One Hebrew manuscript, Vulgate and Syriac; most Hebrew manuscripts do not have "had sent with him."
• [c]. Also called "Tikvah"
• [d]. Also called "Harhas"
• [e]. Or "by everything they have done"