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2 Kings 22:18

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But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, [As touching] the words which thou hast heard;

But to the king {H4428} of Judah {H3063} which sent {H7971} you to enquire {H1875} of the LORD {H3068}, thus shall ye say {H559} to him, Thus saith {H559} the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, As touching the words {H1697} which thou hast heard {H8085};

But you are to tell the king of Y'hudah, who sent you to consult ADONAI, that ADONAI the God of Isra'el also says this: 'In regard to the words you have heard,

But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,

But unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Jehovah, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard,

Commentary

2 Kings 22:18 is a pivotal verse that marks the beginning of God's specific message to King Josiah through the prophetess Huldah. This divine communication comes in response to Josiah's profound humility and distress upon hearing the words of the newly discovered Book of the Law.

Historical and Cultural Context

During the reign of King Josiah, a period of spiritual revival began in Judah. While overseeing repairs on the Temple, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law (likely a scroll containing much of Deuteronomy). Reading its contents, Josiah was overwhelmed with grief and fear, recognizing how far Judah had strayed from God's commands and the severe curses promised for disobedience. His reaction, recorded in 2 Kings 22:11, led him to send a delegation to "enquire of the LORD" concerning the words of the book. This verse begins Huldah's direct response to Josiah's sincere seeking, distinguishing his fate from the broader judgment awaiting the nation of Judah.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Revelation and Prophecy: The phrase "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" underscores the absolute authority and divine origin of Huldah's message. God directly communicates His will and judgment through His chosen prophets.
  • God's Acknowledgment of Repentance: Even as judgment is decreed for the nation (as seen in 2 Kings 22:16-17), God specifically addresses Josiah's personal response. This verse sets the stage for God's compassionate consideration of Josiah's humble heart.
  • The Weight of God's Word: "The words which thou hast heard" refers to the curses and judgments pronounced in the Book of the Law. It highlights the serious consequences of neglecting God's covenant and emphasizes that God's warnings are not empty threats but declarations of inevitable justice.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "enquire of the LORD" (mentioned in the preceding verses as Josiah's action) comes from the Hebrew verb darash (דָּרַשׁ), meaning "to seek," "to consult," or "to inquire earnestly." It denotes a serious, devoted effort to understand and obey God's will. This is contrasted with the casual or insincere seeking often found in Israel's history. The prophetic formula "Thus saith the LORD God of Israel" (כֹּה אָמַר יְהוָה אֱלֹהֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל) is a common and powerful declaration, authenticating the message as direct divine revelation.

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that God is attentive to the sincere cry of a repentant heart. Like Josiah, when we encounter God's Word and are convicted of sin, our appropriate response is to humbly seek Him. Even when circumstances around us seem dire or judgment is impending, our individual faithfulness and humility can lead to God's specific grace and protection. It encourages us to take God's warnings seriously and to allow His Word to prompt genuine self-examination and a turning towards Him, just as Josiah's actions led to a personal promise from God, as detailed in the following verse.

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 (May 20, 2025) 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

  • Isaiah 3:10 (2 votes)

    Say ye to the righteous, that [it shall be] well [with him]: for they shall eat the fruit of their doings.

  • Malachi 3:16 (2 votes)

    Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard [it], and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name.

  • Malachi 3:17 (2 votes)

    And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.

  • 2 Chronicles 34:26 (2 votes)

    And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel [concerning] the words which thou hast heard;

  • 2 Chronicles 34:28 (2 votes)

    Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again.