2 Kings 22:1-6

The Book of the Law Found

1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.

2 He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the LORD. He said:

4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.

5 Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair the temple of the LORD—

6 the carpenters, the builders and the masons. Also have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple.

2 Kings 22:1-6 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

• 1. Jeremiah 1:2; Jeremiah 25:3
• 2. Joshua 15:39
• 3. S Deuteronomy 17:19; S 1 Kings 14:8
• 4. S Deuteronomy 5:32
• 5. 2 Chronicles 34:20; Jeremiah 39:14
• 6. Ezra 7:1
• 7. 2 Kings 12:4-5
• 8. 2Ki 12:5,11-14
• 9. 2 Kings 12:11-12