2 Kings 22:8-13

The Book of the Law Found

8 Hilkiah the high priest told Shaphan the court secretary, "I have found the book of the law in the Lord's temple,"^[a] and he gave the book to Shaphan, who read it.

9 Then Shaphan the court secretary went to the king and reported,^[b] "Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hand of those doing the work-those who oversee the Lord's temple."

10 Then Shaphan the court secretary told the king, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book," and Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.^[c]

11 When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

12 Then he commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and the king's servant Asaiah:

13 "Go and inquire of the Lord for me, the people, and all Judah about the instruction in this book that has been found. For great is the Lord's wrath that is kindled against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this book in order to do everything written about us."^[d]

2 Kings 22:8-13 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Dt 31:24-26
• [b]. Lit and returned a word to the king and said
• [c]. Dt 17:18-20
• [d]. 2 Ch 34:14-21