1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.
2And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
3Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe, Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying,
4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people.
5And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of those doing the work on the house of the LORD, who in turn are to give it to the workmen repairing the damages to the house of the LORD—
6to the carpenters, builders, and masons—to buy timber and dressed stone to repair the temple.
7But they need not account for the money put into their hands, since they work with integrity.”
8Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
9And 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.”
10Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
11When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes
12and commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
13“Go and inquire of the LORD for me, for the people, and for all Judah concerning the words in this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that burns against us because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book by doing all that is written about us.”
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
15And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you
16that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read,
17because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place and will not be quenched.’
18But 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,
19because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its people, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
20‘Therefore I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.
2 Kings 22 Section and Chapter Commentary
2 Kgs 22:1-20
Josiah's religious reforms and centralized worship
King Josiah of Judah initiated significant religious reforms, including the destruction of local places of worship and the centralization of God's worship in Jerusalem, as described in the Book of Kings. This reform was prompted by the discovery of the 'Book of the Law' (believed to be an early form of Deuteronomy) during the temple's cleaning, leading to a renewed emphasis on covenant fidelity.
Summarized by AI · Everyday Life in Ancient Israel · Lecture 2: The Household and Its Foodways · watch the clip
2 Kgs 22:3-11
Josiah's Temple Reconstruction and the Discovery of the Law
During King Josiah's reign, the high priest Hilkiah discovered a 'book of the law' while the temple in Jerusalem was being reconstructed. This discovery led Josiah to realize the nation's failure to adhere to God's commands, prompting him to initiate a widespread religious reform.
Summarized by AI · Finding Moses: What Scholars Know About the Exodus and the Jewish Law · Lecture 8: Giving the Law Again · watch the clip
2 Kgs 22:8-13
Deuteronomy's importance to biblical scholarship
Deuteronomy is arguably the most important book in the Pentateuch and potentially the entire Hebrew Bible due to its coherent thought, interweaving of narrative and law, and its critical role in biblical scholarship. It provides insight into the composition of other books, serves as the ideological framework for the Deuteronomistic history (Joshua through Kings), and influenced texts like Jeremiah and Second Isaiah. The understanding that Josiah's law book in 2 Kings refers to Deuteronomy was a linchpin for critical biblical scholarship, leading to the recognition of different authors and historical contexts within the Bible.
Summarized by AI · The Ten Commandments · Lecture 10: Conclusion · watch the clip
Josiah's Discovery of the Torah Scroll
During King Josiah's reign, a Torah scroll, identified as the covenant (Deuteronomy), was discovered in the temple. Josiah's subsequent reforms, including the destruction of northern shrines and the reintroduction of the Passover sacrifice, are presented as a return to the unified, true Yahweh-worshipping community of Joshua's time, fulfilling the Deuteronomistic program.
Summarized by AI · The Rise and Fall of Biblical Israel: The Books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings · Lecture 7: The Empires Strike Back | Israel Under Assyria and Babylon · watch the clip
Josiah's discovery of the Torah scroll
A pivotal event in Josiah's reign was the discovery of a Torah scroll in the temple, which led to a covenant renewal and extensive reforms. Josiah abolished shrines, offered the Passover sacrifice, and sought to restore a unified, Yahweh-worshipping community, symbolically returning to the 'mythic Joshua past.' This narrative is widely understood to describe the discovery and promulgation of the Deuteronomic program.
Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 14: Of Kings and Kingdoms · watch the clip
