2 Kings 22:10

And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

And Shaphan {H8227} the scribe {H5608} shewed {H5046} the king {H4428}, saying {H559}, Hilkiah {H2518} the priest {H3548} hath delivered {H5414} me a book {H5612}. And Shaphan {H8227} read {H7121} it before {H6440} the king {H4428}.

Shafan the secretary also told the king, "Hilkiyah the cohen hagadol gave me a scroll." Then Shafan read it aloud before the king.

Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, โ€œHilkiah the priest has given me a book.โ€ And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

Commentary

2 Kings 22:10 marks a pivotal moment in the spiritual revival of Judah under King Josiah, as the newly discovered "Book of the Law" is presented and read before the monarch.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse takes place during the reign of King Josiah, who ascended to the throne of Judah at the young age of eight (around 640 BC). His predecessors, Manasseh and Amon, had led the nation into deep idolatry, causing the people to err more than the nations whom the LORD destroyed. Josiah, however, began to seek the God of David in his eighth year of reign and initiated temple repairs in his eighteenth year (see 2 Chronicles 34:3). It was during these repairs that Hilkiah the priest discovered "the book of the law" (as mentioned in 2 Kings 22:8), which Shaphan the scribe then delivered to the king.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Rediscovery of God's Word: The central theme is the re-emergence of the divine commandments after generations of neglect. This discovery was not accidental but providential, setting the stage for national repentance.
  • Authority and Power of Scripture: The immediate and profound impact of the reading on King Josiah (see 2 Kings 22:11, where he tears his clothes) underscores the inherent authority and transformative power of God's revealed will when it is heard and heeded.
  • Role of Godly Leaders: Hilkiah the priest and Shaphan the scribe played crucial roles in bringing God's truth to light. Their integrity and diligence were instrumental in initiating a widespread spiritual revival.

Linguistic Insights

The term "book" in Hebrew is sepher (ืกึตืคึถืจ), which refers to a scroll or document. In this context, it is widely understood to be the Book of Deuteronomy, or a significant portion of it, which contained the covenant stipulations and blessings/curses for obedience/disobedience. Shaphan, as a "scribe" (sopher - ืกึนืคึตืจ), was a highly trusted and educated official, responsible not only for writing but also for preserving and interpreting important texts. His act of reading it "before the king" signifies a formal and weighty presentation.

Significance and Cross-References

The reading of this book was the catalyst for King Josiah's widespread religious reforms, detailed in 2 Kings 23. It led to the cleansing of the temple, the removal of idolatrous practices, and a national covenant renewal. The parallel account in 2 Chronicles 34:18 confirms the importance of this event, highlighting how the rediscovery of God's commandments spurred a powerful return to Him.

Practical Application

  • Prioritize God's Word: Just as Josiah's kingdom was transformed by the rediscovery of the Law, our lives and communities are transformed when God's Word is given its rightful place and diligently studied.
  • Be Receptive to Truth: King Josiah's humble and immediate response to the Law serves as a model for how we should receive divine truth โ€“ with reverence, repentance, and a commitment to obey.
  • The Need for Spiritual Renewal: This passage reminds us that spiritual decline can occur even when God's truth is present but neglected. It underscores the ongoing need for individuals and the church to return to the foundational truths of Scripture for revival.
Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Jeremiah 36:21

    So the king sent Jehudi to fetch the roll: and he took it out of Elishama the scribe's chamber. And Jehudi read it in the ears of the king, and in the ears of all the princes which stood beside the king.

  • Jeremiah 36:15

    And they said unto him, Sit down now, and read it in our ears. So Baruch read [it] in their ears.

  • Jeremiah 36:6

    Therefore go thou, and read in the roll, which thou hast written from my mouth, the words of the LORD in the ears of the people in the LORD'S house upon the fasting day: and also thou shalt read them in the ears of all Judah that come out of their cities.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:18

    Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

  • Deuteronomy 17:18

    And it shall be, when he sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this law in a book out of [that which is] before the priests the Levites:

  • Deuteronomy 17:20

    That his heart be not lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment, [to] the right hand, or [to] the left: to the end that he may prolong [his] days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel.

  • Nehemiah 8:1

    ยถ And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that [was] before the water gate; and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel.
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