2 Kings 22:9

And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.

And Shaphan {H8227} the scribe {H5608} came {H935} to the king {H4428}, and brought {H7725} the king {H4428} word {H1697} again {H7725}, and said {H559}, Thy servants {H5650} have gathered {H5413} the money {H3701} that was found {H4672} in the house {H1004}, and have delivered {H5414} it into the hand {H3027} of them that do {H6213} the work {H4399}, that have the oversight {H6485} of the house {H1004} of the LORD {H3068}.

Then Shafan the secretary went back to the king and gave the king this report: "Your servants have poured out the money found in the house and handed it over to the people supervising the work in the house of ADONAI."

And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, “Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the temple and have put it into the hands of the workers and supervisors of the house of the LORD.”

And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen that have the oversight of the house of Jehovah.

Commentary

This verse from 2 Kings 22:9 describes a significant report from Shaphan the scribe to King Josiah, detailing the progress of the Temple repairs. It marks a moment of administrative diligence and financial accountability in Judah.

Historical and Cultural Context

King Josiah, who began his reign at a young age, is lauded as one of Judah's most righteous kings, doing "that which was right in the sight of the LORD" (2 Kings 22:2). His reign brought about a major religious reform. One of his first acts of reform was to initiate extensive repairs to the dilapidated Temple in Jerusalem. This verse specifically highlights the transparency and proper handling of the funds collected for these repairs. Shaphan, a trusted royal scribe, serves as the intermediary, ensuring the king is fully informed about the progress and the integrity of the process.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Stewardship and Accountability: The report emphasizes careful management of resources, specifically the money collected from the people for sacred purposes. It shows a system of accountability where funds are gathered and directly delivered to those responsible for the work.
  • Diligence in Service: The "servants" and "them that do the work" demonstrate diligence in their tasks, working towards the restoration of God's house. This diligent effort is a precursor to the profound spiritual revival that would soon sweep through Judah.
  • Integrity in Financial Matters: The clear reporting structure and the direct transfer of funds to the overseers underscore the importance of honesty and integrity in handling sacred finances. This stands in contrast to previous periods of corruption.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Shaphan the scribe" points to his significant role. A scribe (Hebrew: sopher) was not merely a copyist but often a high-ranking official, a royal secretary, or an administrator, indicating his trustworthiness and proximity to the king. The "house of the LORD" refers unequivocally to the Jerusalem Temple, the central place of worship for the Israelites.

Related Scriptures

This organized approach to Temple finances echoes earlier efforts, such as the repairs under King Joash (2 Kings 12:4-16), though Josiah's reforms were more comprehensive. The diligent work described here sets the stage for the pivotal discovery of the Book of the Law, which immediately follows this report in the narrative (2 Kings 22:8), triggering an even deeper spiritual awakening.

Practical Application

For believers today, 2 Kings 22:9 serves as a reminder of the importance of integrity and transparency in handling resources, especially those dedicated to God's work. Whether in personal finances, church administration, or charitable endeavors, responsible stewardship is paramount. Furthermore, it highlights how diligent attention to practical matters can lay the groundwork for profound spiritual renewal and a deeper relationship with God, just as the Temple repairs paved the way for Josiah's widespread reform.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 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 — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Kings 25:22

    ¶ And [as for] the people that remained in the land of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had left, even over them he made Gedaliah the son of Ahikam, the son of Shaphan, ruler.

  • Jeremiah 36:10

    Then read Baruch in the book the words of Jeremiah in the house of the LORD, in the chamber of Gemariah the son of Shaphan the scribe, in the higher court, at the entry of the new gate of the LORD'S house, in the ears of all the people.

  • Jeremiah 36:12

    Then he went down into the king's house, into the scribe's chamber: and, lo, all the princes sat there, [even] Elishama the scribe, and Delaiah the son of Shemaiah, and Elnathan the son of Achbor, and Gemariah the son of Shaphan, and Zedekiah the son of Hananiah, and all the princes.

  • 2 Kings 18:18

    And when they had called to the king, there came out to them Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, which [was] over the household, and Shebna the scribe, and Joah the son of Asaph the recorder.

  • Ezekiel 8:11

    And there stood before them seventy men of the ancients of the house of Israel, and in the midst of them stood Jaazaniah the son of Shaphan, with every man his censer in his hand; and a thick cloud of incense went up.

  • 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,

  • 2 Kings 22:12

    And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
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