2 Kings 22:4-14

4 "Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered from the people.

5 And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, who have the oversight of the house of the LORD; and let them give it to the doers of the work who are in the house of the LORD to repair the breaches of the house --

6 unto carpenters and builders and masons -- and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

7 However there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully."

8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto 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.

9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again and said, "Thy 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 have the oversight of the house of the LORD."

10 And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, "Hilkiah the priest hath delivered to me a book." And Shaphan read it before the king.

11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he rent his clothes.

12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying,

13 "Go ye, 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 wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college), and they communed with her.

2 Kings 22:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 2 KINGS 22

This chapter begins with the age and character of Josiah king of Judah, 2Ki 22:1-2, relates his orders for repairing the temple, 2Ki 22:3-7, his attention to the book of the law, which was found, and read to him, and the effect it had upon him, 2Ki 22:8-11, the command he gave to certain persons to inquire of the Lord about it, who applied to Huldah the prophetess, 2Ki 22:12-14, who returned an answer by them to the king, foretelling the destruction of Jerusalem, and giving the reason of it, and at the same time assuring the king it should not be in his days, 2Ki 22:15-20.