2 Kings 22:18

KJV

But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [As touching] the words which thou hast heard;

KJV (with Strong's)

But to the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} which sent {H7971} you to enquire {H1875} of the LORD {H3068}, thus shall ye say {H559} to him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, As touching the words {H1697} which thou hast heard {H8085};

Complete Jewish Bible

But you are to tell the king of Y'hudah, who sent you to consult ADONAI, that ADONAI the God of Isra'el also says this: 'In regard to the words you have heard,

Berean Standard Bible

But 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,

American Standard Version

But unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Jehovah, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Kings 22:18 marks the commencement of God's direct message to King Josiah, delivered through the prophetess Huldah. This divine communication is a specific and compassionate response to Josiah's profound humility and distress, which he exhibited upon hearing the words of the recently rediscovered Book of the Law. The verse establishes that God has taken note of Josiah's personal reaction, setting the stage for a distinct word of grace for the king amidst the broader decree of judgment upon the nation of Judah.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated at a critical juncture in the narrative of King Josiah's reign, immediately following the discovery of the "Book of the Law" by Hilkiah the high priest during Temple repairs ([2 Kings 22:8](/2_kings/22-8 "2 Kings 22:8 - Discovery of the Book of the Law")). Josiah's immediate and profound reaction—tearing his clothes in grief and conviction—demonstrates his sincere repentance and fear before the Lord ([2 Kings 22:11](/2_kings/22-11 "2 Kings 22:11 - Josiah's Reaction to the Law")). In response, he sends a delegation, including Hilkiah and Shaphan, to "enquire of the LORD" concerning the words of the book, recognizing the nation's severe deviation from God's covenant. The delegation consults Huldah the prophetess, and [2 Kings 22:18](/2_kings/22-18 "2 Kings 22:18 - God's Word to Josiah through Huldah") begins her response, which extends through [2 Kings 22:20](/2_kings/22-20 "2 Kings 22:20 - Huldah's Prophecy of Peace for Josiah"), distinguishing Josiah's fate from the impending national judgment outlined in [2 Kings 22:16-17](/2_kings/22-16 "2 Kings 22:16-17 - Huldah's Prophecy of Judgment on Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** King Josiah reigned over Judah from 640-609 BC, a period marked by significant spiritual decline and idolatry following the reigns of Manasseh and Amon. The discovery of the Book of the Law (likely a substantial portion of Deuteronomy or the Pentateuch) was a momentous event, indicating how deeply God's covenant teachings had been neglected or lost within the Temple itself. Josiah's response was culturally significant; tearing one's clothes was a profound public display of grief, humility, and repentance in ancient Israel. The act of "enquiring of the LORD" through a prophet or priest was a recognized means of seeking divine guidance and revelation in times of crisis or uncertainty, underscoring the gravity with which Josiah approached the rediscovered Law. Huldah's role as a prophetess, though less prominent in the biblical narrative than some male prophets, highlights God's use of various individuals to convey His authoritative word, even in a patriarchal society.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in 2 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Revelation and Authority**, as God's word is directly communicated through Huldah, authenticated by the formula "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel." Secondly, it emphasizes **God's Attentiveness to Repentance and Humility**. While the preceding verses declare impending judgment for Judah's persistent idolatry and covenant breaking, this verse specifically addresses Josiah's personal, humble response, foreshadowing God's compassionate consideration of his heart. This highlights the theme of **Individual Responsibility and Divine Grace** amidst corporate sin and judgment. Finally, the phrase "the words which thou hast heard" underscores the **Weight and Consequences of God's Word**, particularly the covenant curses found in the Law, demonstrating that God's warnings are not idle threats but declarations of inevitable justice for disobedience, yet also promises of mercy for the repentant, as seen in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **enquire (Hebrew, _darash_):** This verb signifies a deep, earnest seeking, consulting, or inquiring, often with a spiritual or religious connotation. It implies a serious, devoted effort to understand and obey God's will, contrasting sharply with casual or insincere seeking. Josiah's act of sending a delegation to "enquire of the LORD" demonstrates his profound conviction and desire for divine guidance regarding the implications of the newly discovered Law.
* **Thus saith the LORD God of Israel (Hebrew, _koh amar YHWH Elohei Yisrael_):** This is a quintessential prophetic formula, serving as an authoritative declaration that the subsequent message is not the prophet's own words but a direct, verbatim revelation from Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel. Its inclusion here immediately establishes the divine origin and incontrovertible authority of Huldah's message to King Josiah.
* **the words which thou hast heard (Hebrew, _ha'devarim asher shamata_):** This phrase directly refers to the curses and judgments articulated in the Book of the Law that had been read before Josiah. It emphasizes that God's message through Huldah is a direct, personal response to Josiah's specific distress and conviction over these very words, highlighting God's attentiveness to the king's humble and fearful reaction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD":** This opening clause immediately distinguishes Josiah from the rest of the nation. It highlights his initiative in seeking God's word, emphasizing his earnest desire to understand the implications of the Law and his personal responsibility in light of its revelation. God's message is specifically directed to him because of his humble and proactive seeking.
* **"thus shall ye say to him":** This is a direct command from God, delivered through Huldah to the delegation. It underscores the personal and authoritative nature of the message intended for Josiah. It's not a general pronouncement but a tailored word for the king.
* **"Thus saith the LORD God of Israel":** This powerful prophetic formula authenticates the message as divine revelation. It ensures that Josiah understands the absolute authority and divine origin of the words he is about to hear, reinforcing their weight and significance.
* **"[As touching] the words which thou hast heard":** This concluding phrase explicitly links Huldah's prophecy to Josiah's reaction to the Book of the Law. It confirms that God has taken note of Josiah's personal distress and conviction regarding the curses and judgments he heard from the Law, setting the stage for God's specific, compassionate response to his humility.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Prophetic Formula** ("Thus saith the LORD God of Israel") to establish the divine authority and veracity of Huldah's message. This formula acts as an immediate signal to the audience that the following words are not human opinion but direct revelation from God. There is also a strong element of **Direct Address**, as the message is specifically tailored "to the king of Judah," highlighting God's personal attention to Josiah's sincere repentance. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses **Contrast** by setting Josiah's individual response and the subsequent specific promise of grace against the backdrop of the broader, impending national judgment that Huldah has just pronounced (or is about to pronounce, depending on the exact sequence of Huldah's full message). This contrast underscores the power of individual humility and repentance in averting personal disaster, even when corporate judgment is inevitable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's attentiveness to the humble and contrite heart. Despite the pervasive apostasy of Judah and the impending judgment, God singles out Josiah for a distinct word of grace because of his sincere repentance and fear of the Lord upon hearing the Law. This demonstrates that while God's justice is unwavering in the face of corporate sin, His mercy is equally profound for those who genuinely turn to Him. It underscores the principle that God responds not merely to outward acts but to the internal disposition of the heart, offering a path of personal peace even amidst widespread societal decay. Josiah's example serves as a timeless reminder that true spiritual awakening begins with a humble submission to God's revealed Word and a heartfelt desire to align one's life with His commands.

* [2 Chronicles 34:27](/2_chronicles/34-27 "2 Chronicles 34:27 - God's Response to Josiah's Humility")
* [Isaiah 66:2](/isaiah/66-2 "Isaiah 66:2 - God's Regard for the Humble")
* [James 4:6](/james/4-6 "James 4:6 - God Opposes the Proud but Gives Grace to the Humble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Josiah's response to God's Word in 2 Kings 22:18 offers a powerful paradigm for contemporary believers. When we encounter the Scriptures, whether through personal reading or corporate worship, our response should mirror Josiah's profound humility and earnest desire to "enquire of the LORD." It's not enough to merely hear the words; true spiritual transformation occurs when God's truth convicts our hearts, leading us to genuine repentance and a turning away from sin. Even in times when the world around us seems to be drifting further from God's standards, or when the consequences of societal sin appear dire, Josiah's experience reminds us that our individual faithfulness and humility can lead to God's specific grace and protection. This passage encourages us to take God's warnings seriously, allowing His Word to prompt deep self-examination and a sincere pursuit of His will, trusting that He is attentive to the cry of a repentant heart.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does encountering God's Word lead to true conviction and repentance in our lives?**
* **In what ways can we cultivate a heart of humility before the Lord, even when faced with difficult truths about ourselves or our society?**
* **How does Josiah's experience encourage us to seek God earnestly, trusting in His specific care for us amidst broader challenges?**

### FAQ
**What was the "Book of the Law" mentioned in 2 Kings 22?**

Answer: While the text does not specify the exact contents, scholarly consensus suggests that the "Book of the Law" discovered during Josiah's reign was likely a significant portion, if not the entirety, of the Book of Deuteronomy. This book contains the covenant stipulations, blessings for obedience, and severe curses for disobedience, which profoundly impacted Josiah and prompted his immediate and strong reaction. The discovery of this book was pivotal, as it revealed the extent to which Judah had strayed from God's covenant, directly leading to Josiah's reforms.

**Why was Huldah consulted instead of Jeremiah or Zephaniah, who were also prophets at the time?**

Answer: The Bible does not explicitly state why Huldah was chosen over other contemporary prophets like Jeremiah or Zephaniah. However, several factors may have contributed. Huldah was a respected prophetess who lived in Jerusalem, specifically in the Second Quarter of the city ([2 Kings 22:14](/2_kings/22-14 "2 Kings 22:14 - Huldah's Residence")). Her accessibility and recognized authority within the capital likely made her a convenient and trusted choice for the delegation seeking an immediate divine word. Her inclusion also highlights God's sovereignty in choosing His messengers, demonstrating that He uses both men and women to convey His authoritative revelation, regardless of their public prominence.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Josiah's encounter with the Law and God's gracious response through Huldah finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. Josiah's profound humility and fear before the Law, recognizing its demands and the nation's failure, foreshadows humanity's universal need for a perfect righteousness that the Law reveals but cannot provide. The "words which thou hast heard" from the Law, bringing conviction and the threat of judgment, ultimately point to the greater "Word" of God, Jesus Christ ([John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")). He perfectly fulfilled the Law's demands, not only living a life of perfect obedience but also becoming the ultimate sacrifice who bore the Law's curses on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Our "enquiring of the LORD" and our humble response to God's truth now find their answer in faith in Christ, who is the "end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes" ([Romans 10:4](/romans/10-4 "Romans 10:4 - Christ is the End of the Law")). Just as God extended grace to Josiah because of his humble heart, so too does He extend the immeasurable grace of the New Covenant through Christ, offering peace and deliverance from judgment to all who, in humility and repentance, turn to Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Christ, Mediator of a Better Covenant")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 3:10

Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

Malachi 3:16

Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

Malachi 3:17

And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

2 Chronicles 34:26

And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel [concerning] the words which thou hast heard;

2 Chronicles 34:28

Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.