2 Kings 22:3

And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, [that] the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,

And it came to pass in the eighteenth {H8083}{H6240} year {H8141} of king {H4428} Josiah {H2977}, that the king {H4428} sent {H7971} Shaphan {H8227} the son {H1121} of Azaliah {H683}, the son {H1121} of Meshullam {H4918}, the scribe {H5608}, to the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}, saying {H559},

In the eighteenth year of King Yoshiyahu, the king sent Shafan the son of Atzalyahu, the son of Meshulam, the secretary, to the house of ADONAI after instructing him,

Now 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,

And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of Jehovah, saying,

Commentary

Context

This verse marks a pivotal moment in the reign of King Josiah of Judah. It states that in his eighteenth year (which means Josiah was around 26 years old, having begun his reign at age eight), he initiated a significant action. Following decades of idolatry and spiritual decline under his grandfather Manasseh and father Amon, Josiah stood out as a king who "did that which was right in the sight of the LORD." This verse details his sending of Shaphan, the royal scribe, to the Temple, also known as "the house of the LORD." This mission was not merely administrative; it was the beginning of a process to repair the dilapidated Temple, a physical manifestation of Judah's spiritual neglect.

Key Themes

  • Righteous Leadership: Josiah's proactive step to restore the Temple demonstrates his devotion to God and his commitment to reversing the spiritual decay of his kingdom. His actions set a powerful example for leadership that prioritizes God's honor.
  • Care for God's House: The act of sending Shaphan to the Temple for repairs underscores the importance of maintaining places of worship. It reflects a reverence for God and a desire to honor His dwelling place among His people.
  • Preparation for Revival: This seemingly routine act of Temple repair laid the groundwork for one of the most significant spiritual revivals in Judah's history. It was during these repairs that the Book of the Law was discovered, leading to widespread repentance and reform.
  • The Role of the Scribe: Shaphan, as the scribe, was a high-ranking official responsible for royal correspondence and records. His involvement highlights the administrative and official nature of Josiah's command, and his role in facilitating the king's righteous intentions.

Practical Application

2 Kings 22:3 reminds us that spiritual renewal often begins with practical steps of obedience and a renewed focus on God's presence. Just as Josiah initiated the repair of the physical Temple, we are called to care for the "house of the LORD" today, which can refer to our local churches, our communities, and even our own lives as temples of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). This verse encourages us to be proactive in addressing areas of neglect, both physical and spiritual, and to seek God's will. It also highlights the significance of faithful service, as seen in Shaphan, whose obedience facilitated a profound spiritual awakening for an entire nation. Our seemingly small acts of service can have far-reaching consequences in God's plan.

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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 34:3

    For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:33

    And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
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