2 Kings 22:19

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD.

Because thine heart {H3824} was tender {H7401}, and thou hast humbled {H3665} thyself before {H6440} the LORD {H3068}, when thou heardest {H8085} what I spake {H1696} against this place {H4725}, and against the inhabitants {H3427} thereof, that they should become a desolation {H8047} and a curse {H7045}, and hast rent {H7167} thy clothes {H899}, and wept {H1058} before {H6440} me; I also have heard {H8085} thee, saith {H5002} the LORD {H3068}.

because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before ADONAI when you heard what I said against this place and its inhabitants - that they would become an object of astonishment and cursing - and have torn your clothes and cried before me, I have also heard you, says ADONAI.

because 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,โ€™ declares the LORD.

because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before Jehovah, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith Jehovah.

Commentary

2 Kings 22:19 is a pivotal verse in the narrative of King Josiah, revealing God's profound response to genuine humility and repentance. It highlights the LORD's character as one who sees and hears the contrite heart, even in the face of impending national judgment.

Context of 2 Kings 22:19

This verse comes during the reign of King Josiah, a righteous king in Judah who initiated significant reforms. The immediate context is the discovery of the Book of the Law (likely a portion of Deuteronomy) by Hilkiah the high priest in the Temple. When the book was read before Josiah, he was deeply convicted by its commands and the curses pronounced against disobedience. His immediate reaction was to tear his clothes as a sign of profound grief and humility.

Josiah then sent a delegation, including Hilkiah, to inquire of the LORD through the prophetess Huldah. Huldah confirmed the severe judgment prophesied against Jerusalem and its inhabitants due to their long history of idolatry and rebellion (2 Kings 22:16-17). However, 2 Kings 22:19 records God's specific message of mercy and postponement of judgment for Josiah personally, because of his sincere response.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Genuine Repentance: The verse emphasizes Josiah's "tender heart" and how he "humbled thyself before the LORD." This was not a superficial act but a deep, internal transformation that manifested in outward expressions of sorrow and remorse (renting clothes, weeping). It underscores that God looks beyond ritual to the heart's true condition.
  • God's Responsiveness to Humility: Despite the irreversible judgment decreed for the nation of Judah, God acknowledges and responds to Josiah's individual humility and sorrow. This demonstrates God's compassion and willingness to show mercy to those who genuinely seek Him, even in the midst of corporate sin.
  • The Power of God's Word: It was the hearing of the Law that convicted Josiah and led to his repentance. This highlights the transformative power of Scripture to reveal sin and call individuals to a right relationship with God.
  • Divine Hearing: The concluding phrase, "I also have heard [thee], saith the LORD," assures Josiah that his cries were not in vain. God hears the prayers and lamentations of a contrite spirit.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Tender heart": The Hebrew phrase for "tender heart" (ืจึทืšึฐ ืœึฐื‘ึธื‘ึฐืšึธ, rak l'vavcha) signifies a heart that is soft, sensitive, and receptive to God's word and conviction, as opposed to a hardened or stubborn heart. This receptiveness was key to Josiah's positive response.
  • "Humbled thyself": The Hebrew verb for "humbled" (ื›ึธึผื ึทืข, kana') implies bringing oneself low, submitting, or being subdued. It denotes a voluntary act of self-abasement before God, recognizing His sovereignty and one's own unworthiness.
  • "Rent thy clothes, and wept before me": These were traditional, profound expressions of grief, remorse, and deep spiritual anguish in ancient Israel. They were outward signs of an intense internal conviction, signifying a complete breakdown before God's majesty and judgment.

Practical Application

2 Kings 22:19 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  • Value a Receptive Heart: Cultivate a "tender heart" that is open and sensitive to God's Word and the Holy Spirit's conviction. Avoid hardening your heart against truth or correction.
  • Embrace True Humility: God responds to genuine humility. When confronted with sin or God's standards, our response should be one of sincere self-abasement and repentance, not defensiveness or pride. See 2 Chronicles 7:14 for a similar promise.
  • God's Mercy Endures: Even when consequences for sin are inevitable, God's personal mercy and grace are available to those who turn to Him with a contrite spirit. His ear is always open to the humble (Isaiah 57:15).
  • The Importance of God's Word: Regularly engage with Scripture, allowing it to speak to your heart and expose areas needing repentance and change.
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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

  • Psalms 51:17

    The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

  • 1 Kings 21:29

    Seest thou how Ahab humbleth himself before me? because he humbleth himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days: [but] in his son's days will I bring the evil upon his house.

  • Exodus 10:3

    And Moses and Aaron came in unto Pharaoh, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of the Hebrews, How long wilt thou refuse to humble thyself before me? let my people go, that they may serve me.

  • Isaiah 57:15

    For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name [is] Holy; I dwell in the high and holy [place], with him also [that is] of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

  • Micah 6:8

    He hath shewed thee, O man, what [is] good; and what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

  • 1 Samuel 24:5

    And it came to pass afterward, that David's heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul's skirt.

  • 1 Peter 5:5

    ยถ Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all [of you] be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.
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