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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34 verses 14–28
This whole paragraph we had, just as it is here related, Kg2 22:8-20, and have nothing to add here to what was there observed. But, 1. We may hence take occasion to bless God that we have plenty of Bibles, and that they are, or may be, in all hands, - that the book of the law and gospel is not lost, is not scarce, - that, in this sense, the word of the Lord is not precious. Bibles are jewels, but, thanks be to God, they are not rarities. The fountain of the waters of life is not a spring shut up or a fountain sealed, but the streams of it, in all places, make glad the city of our God. Usus communis aquarum - These waters flow for general use. What a great deal shall we have to answer for if the great things of God's law, being thus made common, should be accounted by us as strange things! 2. We may hence learn, whenever we read or hear the word of God, to affect our hearts with it, and to get them possessed with a holy fear of that wrath of God which is there revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, as Josiah's tender heart was. When he heard the words of the law he rent his clothes (Ch2 34:19), and God was well pleased with his doing so, Ch2 34:27. Were the things contained in the scripture new to us, as they were here to Josiah, surely they would make deeper impressions upon us than commonly they do; but they are not the less weighty, and therefore should not be the less considered by us, for their being well known. Rend the heart therefore, not the garments. 3. We are here directed when we are under convictions of sin, and apprehensions of divine wrath, to enquire of the Lord; so Josiah did, Ch2 34:21. It concerns us to ask (as they did, Act 2:37), Men and brethren, what shall we do? and more particularly (as the jailor), What must I do to be saved? Act 16:30. If you will thus enquire, enquire (Isa 21:12); and, blessed be God, we have the lively oracles to which to apply with these enquiries. 4. We are here warned of the ruin that sin brings upon nations and kingdoms. Those that forsake God bring evil upon themselves (Ch2 34:24, Ch2 34:25), and kindle a fire which shall not be quenched. Such will the fire of God's wrath be when the decree has gone forth against those that obstinately and impenitently persist in their wicked ways. 5. We are here encouraged to humble ourselves before God and seek unto him, as Josiah did. If we cannot prevail thereby to turn away God's wrath from our land, yet we shall deliver our own souls, Ch2 34:27, Ch2 34:28. And good people are here taught to be so far from fearing death as to welcome it rather when it takes them away from the evil to come. See how the property of it is altered by making it the matter of a promise: Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, housed in that ark, as Noah, when a deluge is coming.
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SUMMARY
Following the momentous discovery of the Book of the Law during the temple renovations, 2 Chronicles 34:20 details King Josiah's immediate and decisive action. Deeply convicted by the Law's words, the king prudently assembled a distinguished delegation of his most trusted spiritual and administrative officials—including the high priest, a prominent scribe, and other key royal servants—to embark on a critical mission: to inquire of the Lord concerning the implications of the rediscovered divine commands for himself and the nation of Judah. This verse underscores Josiah's exemplary leadership in responding to God's revelation with both humility and strategic wisdom.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is a pivotal moment in the narrative of Josiah's reforms, directly following the profound impact of the Book of the Law's discovery. In 2 Chronicles 34:14, Hilkiah the high priest finds the book during temple repairs. Shaphan the scribe then reads it to the king in 2 Chronicles 34:18, prompting Josiah's immediate and dramatic response of repentance, tearing his clothes in 2 Chronicles 34:19. Verse 20 sets the stage for the next crucial step in Josiah's response: the formal inquiry to the Lord through the prophetess Huldah, detailed in 2 Chronicles 34:21-28. It marks the transition from personal conviction to collective action, demonstrating Josiah's resolve to align the nation with God's revealed will and to seek divine counsel for its implementation.
Historical & Cultural Context: King Josiah reigned over Judah from 640-609 BC, a period marked by significant religious decline following the idolatrous reigns of his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon. Josiah began his reforms early, seeking the Lord from his youth (2 Chronicles 34:3). The discovery of the Book of the Law (widely believed to be a copy of Deuteronomy) was a monumental event, revealing the extent of Judah's deviation from God's covenant and the severe consequences of their disobedience. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings often consulted divine oracles or prophets for guidance on matters of national importance. Josiah's delegation of high-ranking officials—including the high priest, a royal scribe, and other trusted royal servants—reflects the established protocol for addressing such weighty spiritual and administrative concerns, ensuring that the inquiry carried the full authority and representation of the kingdom.
Key Themes: This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the book of 2 Chronicles. Firstly, it highlights Divine Revelation and Human Response, showing how God's Word, once rediscovered, demands an immediate and profound reaction, leading to conviction and a desire for obedience. Secondly, it exemplifies Wise and Godly Leadership, as Josiah does not act impulsively but thoughtfully delegates the critical task of seeking divine counsel to a diverse group of trusted advisors, demonstrating humility and a reliance on collective wisdom. This action is part of the broader theme of Repentance and Reform, where Josiah's personal contrition in 2 Chronicles 34:19 leads directly to a national effort to understand and implement God's commands. Finally, it underscores the critical importance of Seeking Divine Counsel, as the king prioritizes inquiring of the Lord through His appointed channels, acknowledging God's ultimate authority over the nation's destiny.
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Enumeration or Listing, meticulously naming each individual chosen by King Josiah for this vital mission. This detailed listing emphasizes the careful, deliberate, and official nature of Josiah's response to the rediscovered Law. By naming each member—Hilkiah the high priest, Ahikam, Abdon, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah—the text underscores the collective authority, diverse expertise, and high trustworthiness of the delegation. This precise Nomenclature also serves to establish the credibility and significance of the upcoming prophetic inquiry, ensuring the reader understands the gravity of the king's actions. Furthermore, the concluding word "saying" acts as a device of Anticipation, creating a narrative pause that builds suspense and directs the reader's attention to the command itself, which is revealed in 2 Chronicles 34:21, highlighting the urgency and gravity of their task.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse highlights the profound theological principle that divine revelation demands a serious and immediate human response. Josiah's command to inquire of the Lord, following his deep conviction, models a leadership that prioritizes God's Word and seeks His will above all else. It demonstrates that true repentance is not merely an emotional reaction but leads to decisive action aimed at understanding and aligning with God's commands. The selection of a diverse and trusted group of officials underscores the wisdom of seeking counsel in matters of spiritual and national importance, reflecting a communal responsibility to God's truth. This act of seeking God's face through His appointed channels is a testament to Josiah's humility and his profound reverence for the Lord's authority, setting a precedent for how individuals and nations should respond to the unveiling of divine truth.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Josiah's immediate and strategic response to the Book of the Law provides a powerful model for believers today. When God's Word convicts us, whether through personal reading, preaching, or study, our response should be one of earnestness, humility, and decisive action. Just as Josiah did not bear the burden of understanding and responding to the Law alone, we are called to seek wise, godly counsel when faced with weighty truths or significant decisions. This might involve consulting trusted spiritual mentors, engaging in community Bible study, or seeking guidance from church leaders. True spiritual leadership, whether in personal life, family, or community, involves acknowledging one's limitations and humbly seeking God's guidance through His Word and His people. It reminds us that our encounter with divine truth should always lead to a desire to inquire further, understand more deeply, and live more faithfully in accordance with God's revealed will.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Who were these individuals, and why were they chosen?
Answer: The individuals commanded by King Josiah were Hilkiah the high priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's. They were chosen for their high office, proven trustworthiness, and likely their spiritual integrity, representing a cross-section of the highest echelons of both spiritual and administrative authority in Judah. Hilkiah was central to the discovery of the Law, Shaphan was the influential royal scribe who read it to the king, and Ahikam, Abdon, and Asaiah were trusted royal officials. Their collective inclusion ensured that the inquiry would be taken with utmost seriousness, its findings respected, and its implementation carried out with the full backing of the kingdom's leadership.
What was the "Book of the Law" that was discovered?
Answer: While the text does not explicitly name the "Book of the Law," scholarly consensus strongly suggests it was a copy of the book of Deuteronomy, or at least a significant portion thereof. The commands and curses detailed in Deuteronomy 28 align perfectly with Josiah's reaction of repentance and his subsequent reforms. Its rediscovery was pivotal because its commands had been largely forgotten or ignored for generations, leading to national apostasy. The book detailed the covenant obligations between God and Israel, outlining the blessings for obedience and the severe consequences for disobedience, profoundly impacting King Josiah and setting in motion the most significant religious revival in Judah's history.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
King Josiah's profound response to the rediscovery of the Book of the Law, leading him to humbly inquire of the Lord and initiate sweeping reforms, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate fulfillment found in Jesus Christ. The Law, though holy and good, revealed humanity's inability to perfectly obey God's righteous standards, bringing conviction and demonstrating the need for a perfect mediator and a new covenant. Josiah's zeal for the Law and his desire to align his kingdom with God's will reflect, in a limited way, Christ's perfect obedience to the Law, for He declared He came not to abolish but to fulfill the Law. While Josiah sent a delegation to inquire of the Lord through a prophetess, Christ is the very Word of God, the ultimate and complete revelation of God to humanity, through whom all divine counsel is now perfectly given. The Law brought a curse for disobedience, but Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from its condemnation (Galatians 3:13). Josiah's reforms sought to bring Judah back into alignment with the old covenant, but Jesus inaugurated a new covenant through His blood, writing God's laws not on tablets of stone but on the hearts of His people (Hebrews 8:10). Thus, Josiah's earnest inquiry points forward to the One who is the very embodiment of God's perfect will and the source of true spiritual life and transformation.