Josiah Reigns in Judah
Josiah became the king of Judah in 640...
Josiah became the king of Judah in 640 BC. Like Joash (2 Kings 11:21), he was still a child when he became king. He was loyal to the Lord, much like David, Asa (1 Kings 15:11), and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3).
did what was right: Josiah's actions followed the high standards of the law (Deuteronomy 17:11; 28:14).
Josiah became the king of Judah in 640 BC. Like Joash (2 Kings 11:21), he was still a child when he became king. He was loyal to the Lord, much like David, Asa (1 Kings 15:11), and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3).
did what was right: Josiah's actions followed the high standards of the law (Deuteronomy 17:11; 28:14).
1Josiah 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. 2And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Funding the Temple Repairs
By the eighteenth year of his reign, which...
By the eighteenth year of his reign, which was in 621 BC, Josiah had followed the Lord for ten years (see 2 Chronicles 34:3–7).
Hilkiah, the high priest, came from Zadok's family line (1 Chronicles 9:10–11). Some scholars think this Hilkiah was Jeremiah’s father (Jeremiah 1:1).
The money was collected in a large chest placed where people could easily access it as they entered the temple (compare 2 Kings 12:9).
By the eighteenth year of his reign, which was in 621 BC, Josiah had followed the Lord for ten years (see 2 Chronicles 34:3–7).
Hilkiah, the high priest, came from Zadok's family line (1 Chronicles 9:10–11). Some scholars think this Hilkiah was Jeremiah’s father (Jeremiah 1:1).
The money was collected in a large chest placed where people could easily access it as they entered the temple (compare 2 Kings 12:9).
3Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying, 4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.
Josiah gave Shaphan instructions similar to those Joash...
Josiah gave Shaphan instructions similar to those Joash gave for repairing the temple during his rule (2 Kings 12:10–15).
5And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORD— 6to the carpenters, builders, and masons—to buy timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. 7But they need not account for the money put into their hands, since they work with integrity.”
Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
The scroll called the Book of the Law...
The scroll called the Book of the Law might have included all or part of Deuteronomy or even the entire Pentateuch (compare Deuteronomy 31:26). We do not know how it was lost or where it was found in the temple. Shaphan quickly reported the important discovery and read it to the king.
8Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
9And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”
10Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
Like Hezekiah before him (2 Kings 19:1), Josiah...
Like Hezekiah before him (2 Kings 19:1), Josiah tore his clothes in deep sorrow for his own spiritual state and that of the people of Judah.
have not obeyed the words of this book: The part Shaphan read to Josiah reminded him of God's claim on his people, the need to stay faithful to the covenant, and the consequences for unfaithfulness (see Deuteronomy 28). Realizing that Judah had not followed the law, Josiah rightly feared the Lord's great anger.
Like Hezekiah before him (2 Kings 19:1), Josiah tore his clothes in deep sorrow for his own spiritual state and that of the people of Judah.
have not obeyed the words of this book: The part Shaphan read to Josiah reminded him of God's claim on his people, the need to stay faithful to the covenant, and the consequences for unfaithfulness (see Deuteronomy 28). Realizing that Judah had not followed the law, Josiah rightly feared the Lord's great anger.
11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes 12and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor† son of Micaiah,† Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king: 13“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”
Huldah’s Prophecy
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah,† the son of Harhas,† the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.†
this is what the LORD says: Like Miriam...
this is what the LORD says: Like Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah had the honor of sharing God's message with the people. Huldah confirmed Josiah's fears that God would punish Jerusalem for the people's unfaithfulness and many sins.
15And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you 16that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read, 17because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place and will not be quenched.’
God praised Josiah for his sorrow and humility...
God praised Josiah for his sorrow and humility after hearing God's word. Although God's judgment was sure, God would delay it until after Josiah's death.
18But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard, 19because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
20‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.