2 Kings 22:11-17

11 When the king heard the words of the book of the law, 1he tore his clothes.
12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, 2Ahikam the son of Shaphan, 3Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant saying,
13 "Go, inquire of the LORD for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for 4great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us, because * our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."

Huldah Predicts

14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of 5Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the 6Second Quarter); and they spoke to her.
15 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 7bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.
17 "8Because * 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 burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched."'

2 Kings 22:11-17 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.

Cross References 8

  • 1. Genesis 37:34; Joshua 7:6
  • 2. 2 Kings 25:22; Jeremiah 26:24
  • 3. 2 Chronicles 34:20
  • 4. Deuteronomy 29:23-28; Deuteronomy 31:17, 18
  • 5. 2 Chronicles 34:22
  • 6. Zephaniah 1:10
  • 7. Deuteronomy 29:27; Daniel 9:11-14
  • 8. Deuteronomy 29:25, 26; 2 Kings 21:22

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. In 2 Chr 34:20, "Abdon, son of Micah"
  • [b]. In 2 Chr 34:22, "Tokhath, son of Hasrah"
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