2 Kings 22

Josiah Reigns in Judah

1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath. 2He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his ancestor. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Josiah Orders Repairs to the Temple

3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying, 4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and let him count the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered from the people. 5Let them give it into the hand of those doing the work, those appointed over the house of the LORD, and let them give it to those doing the work who are in the house of the LORD to repair the damage of the house: 6to carpenters, builders, and masons, and to buy timber and quarried stone to repair the house. 7But no accounting shall be required from them for the silver given into their hand, for they are acting faithfully.”

The Book of the Instruction Is Found

8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the instruction in the house of the LORD.” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9Shaphan the scribe came to the king and returned a word to the king and said, “Your servants have poured out the silver that was found in the house and have given it into the hand of those doing the work, those appointed over the house of the LORD.” 10Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.

Josiah Tears His Clothes

11And it happened when the king heard the words of the book of the instruction that he tore his clothes. 12The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah servant of the king, saying, 13“Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the fury of the LORD that is kindled against us because our ancestors did not listen to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

Huldah the Prophet Speaks

14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophet, wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, keeper of the garments. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter, and they spoke with her. 15She said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Say to the man who sent you to me: 16Thus says the LORD: Look, I am bringing disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read, 17because they abandoned me and burned incense to other gods in order to provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands. My fury is kindled against this place and will not be extinguished.

Josiah Will Be Gathered in Peace

18“But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus you shall say to him: Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, concerning the words that you have heard: 19Because 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 would become a horror and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the LORD. 20Therefore look, I am gathering you to your ancestors, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I am bringing upon this place.”

Then they returned the word to the king.