2 Kings22

King Josiah, reigning righteously in Judah, initiated repairs for the house of the LORD in his eighteenth year. During this work, Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law. Upon hearing its words, Josiah was greatly distressed, recognizing the nation's failure to obey God's commands. He sent messengers to inquire of the LORD, and Huldah the prophetess foretold impending judgment upon Judah for their idolatry, but promised Josiah peace and a peaceful death due to his humble heart.

Josiah's Righteous Reign Begins

1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign; and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem: and his mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. ​
2
He did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and didn’t turn aside to the right hand or to the left. ​

Repairing the Temple

3
In the eighteenth year of king Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the LORD’s house, saying, ​
4
“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the money which is brought into the LORD’s house, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people.
5
Let them deliver it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the LORD’s house; and let them give it to the workmen who are in the LORD’s house, to repair the breaches of the house,
6
to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house.
7
However there was no accounting made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand; for they dealt faithfully.” ​

Discovery of the Book of the Law

8
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the scroll of the Torah in the LORD’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. ​
9
Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the LORD’s house.”
10
Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Shaphan read it before the king.
11
When the king had heard the words of the scroll of the Torah, he tore his clothes. ​
12
The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,

Huldah Prophesies Judgment and Grace

13
“Go inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.” ​
14
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. ​
15
She said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,
16
“Thus says the LORD, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.
17
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.’” ​
18
But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus you shall tell him, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Concerning the words which you have heard,
19
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says the LORD. ​
20
‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, neither shall your eyes see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” They brought back this message to the king. ​

Study Notes for 2 Kings 22

Verse 1

Josiah’s long reign followed the wickedly idolatrous reigns of his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh; his young age at accession suggests the influence of godly advisors early in his life.

Verse 2

Josiah is praised as walking 'in all the way of David,' the highest biblical standard for a Judean king, meaning he maintained exclusive loyalty to Yahweh and the covenant.

Verse 3

The 18th year (c. 622 BC) marks the beginning of Josiah’s major religious reforms. This initiative to repair the deteriorated Temple precedes the discovery of the Law, showing his zeal for proper worship.

Verse 7

This positive note on the workers’ integrity contrasts sharply with earlier accounts of corruption in temple repair projects (e.g., 2 Kgs 12:15), highlighting a period of faithfulness under Josiah.

Verse 8

The 'Book of the Law' is widely identified by scholars as the core of Deuteronomy, which outlines the covenant stipulations, including strict warnings about curses for disobedience.

Verse 11

Rending clothes was a traditional sign of deep distress, grief, and repentance. Josiah’s immediate reaction shows he recognized the severity of the nation’s covenant disobedience and the reality of impending divine judgment.

Verse 13

Josiah quickly understood that the curses described in the book were active and directed against Judah because the previous generations ('our fathers') had abandoned the covenant obligations.

Verse 14

Huldah is a significant female prophet consulted by the king’s delegation, confirming that God’s authoritative word was delivered through various individuals, regardless of their social standing or gender.

Verse 17

The reason for the irreversible judgment is clear: the people had persistently abandoned Yahweh and engaged in idolatry, proving the depth of their apostasy.

Verse 19

God honors Josiah’s 'tender heart' and genuine humility, which stood in stark contrast to the hardened hearts of the people. Humility provides the basis for the delay of judgment.

Verse 20

The promise of 'peace' means Josiah would die a natural death before the catastrophic national judgment (the Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem) arrived, sparing him the sight of the disaster.

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