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,

And the king {H4428} commanded {H6680} Hilkiah {H2518} the priest {H3548}, and Ahikam {H296} the son {H1121} of Shaphan {H8227}, and Achbor {H5907} the son {H1121} of Michaiah {H4320}, and Shaphan {H8227} the scribe {H5608}, and Asahiah {H6222} a servant {H5650} of the king's {H4428}, saying {H559},

Then the king issued this order to Hilkiyah the cohen, Achikam the son of Shafan, 'Akhbor the son of Mikhayah, Shafan the secretary and 'Asayah the king's servant:

and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:

And 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,

Commentary

2 Kings 22:12 details the critical step King Josiah took after the discovery of the Book of the Law, demonstrating his profound commitment to understanding and obeying God's will.

Context of 2 Kings 22:12

This verse is set during the reign of King Josiah, a righteous king who initiated significant religious reforms in Judah. It follows the momentous discovery of the Book of the Law (likely a portion of Deuteronomy) by Hilkiah the high priest during temple repairs. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply convicted, tearing his clothes as a sign of repentance and humility (2 Kings 22:11). In response to this spiritual awakening, Josiah immediately dispatches a delegation of trusted officials to "inquire of the Lord" concerning the implications of the Law for himself and the people, recognizing the nation's long history of disobedience.

Key Themes and Insights

  • Seeking Divine Counsel: Josiah's immediate action after hearing the Law was not to implement reforms unilaterally, but to seek further divine instruction. This highlights the importance of acknowledging God in all his ways and seeking His specific guidance.
  • Godly Leadership: King Josiah exemplifies what it means to be a leader who takes God's Word seriously. His humility and earnest pursuit of God's will set a powerful example for his entire kingdom, paving the way for widespread spiritual revival.
  • The Authority of Scripture: The profound impact of the rediscovered Law underscores the transformative power and inherent authority of God's revealed Word to expose sin and call for repentance and obedience.
  • Trusted Advisors: The individuals named—Hilkiah the priest, Shaphan the scribe, and others—were key figures in Josiah's administration, indicating the gravity of the mission and the king's reliance on a circle of respected and capable advisors.

Linguistic Nuances

The individuals listed in this verse were prominent figures in King Josiah's court:

  • Hilkiah the priest: As the high priest, he was the chief religious authority and the one who discovered the Book of the Law.
  • Shaphan the scribe: This refers to the royal secretary, a highly influential position responsible for official documents and communications. His family, including his son Ahikam, often played significant roles in the political and religious life of Judah.
  • The mission to "inquire of the Lord" (the implied command in this verse, explicitly stated in 2 Kings 22:13) typically involved consulting a prophet or prophetess to receive a direct word or oracle from God concerning a specific situation or question.

Significance and Application

2 Kings 22:12 offers timeless lessons for believers today:

  1. Humility in the Face of Truth: When confronted with the truths of God's Word, we are called to respond with humility and a genuine desire to understand and apply its principles to our lives.
  2. Seeking Wise Counsel: Like Josiah, we should actively seek godly counsel and spiritual guidance when navigating challenging situations or seeking deeper understanding of God's will.
  3. Proactive Obedience: Josiah's immediate and decisive action demonstrates the importance of not delaying in responding to God's commands. True spiritual renewal often begins with a fresh encounter with Scripture and a commitment to obedient action.
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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

  • Jeremiah 26:24 (5 votes)

    Nevertheless the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, that they should not give him into the hand of the people to put him to death.

  • 2 Kings 25:22 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • Isaiah 37:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ And it came to pass, when king Hezekiah heard [it], that he rent his clothes, and covered himself with sackcloth, and went into the house of the LORD.

  • Isaiah 37:4 (2 votes)

    It may be the LORD thy God will hear the words of Rabshakeh, whom the king of Assyria his master hath sent to reproach the living God, and will reprove the words which the LORD thy God hath heard: wherefore lift up [thy] prayer for the remnant that is left.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:19 (2 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:21 (2 votes)

    Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great [is] the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book.

  • Jeremiah 26:22 (2 votes)

    And Jehoiakim the king sent men into Egypt, [namely], Elnathan the son of Achbor, and [certain] men with him into Egypt.