2 Kings 22

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.

He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.

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,

“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which is brought into the LORD’s house, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people.

Let them deliver it into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of the LORD’s house; and let them give it to the workers who are in the LORD’s house, to repair the damage to the house,

to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house.

However, no accounting shall be asked of them for the money delivered into their hand, for they deal faithfully.”

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

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 hands of the workmen who have the oversight of the LORD’s house.”

Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.

When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.

The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,

“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 LORD’s wrath 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.”

So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, 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.

She said to them, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,

“The LORD says, ‘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.

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 will not be quenched.’”

But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard,

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.

‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So they brought this message back to the king.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview.
This chapter centers on King Josiah’s discovery of the Book of the Law during temple repairs and his profound response upon hearing its words. It marks a pivotal moment of spiritual awakening in Judah’s final decades, setting in motion a national renewal in response to God’s revealed will. Josiah’s godly grief and inquiry of the Lord contrast sharply with the persistent covenant unfaithfulness of previous generations, even as divine judgment remains decreed for Judah due to past and accumulated sins.

Flow.

The chapter opens with historical background on Josiah’s reign and traces his commitment to walking wholeheartedly in the Lord’s ways (v. 1–2).
It records Josiah’s initiative to repair the temple, which leads to the unexpected discovery of the Book of the Law by Hilkiah the high priest (v. 3–8).
The reading of the Law before the king prompts Josiah’s repentant response—tearing his clothes and seeking the Lord’s guidance (v. 9–11).
The delegation sent to the prophetess Huldah receives a twofold oracle: certainty of coming judgment on Judah, but also God’s promise of peace for Josiah because of his humility (v. 12–20).

Connections.
Following chapter 21—where Manasseh’s deep impiety and idolatry provoked the Lord’s irreversible promise of judgment—chapter 22 shows a remarkable reversal in Josiah, a king whose heart is tender before God. Though the consequences of national sin remain, Josiah’s response halts further immediate collapse and creates space for renewal. His repentance and reverence contrast with the hardness of previous rulers, and this moment of clarity sets the stage for the covenant renewal and sweeping reforms described in chapter 23, where Josiah acts decisively to restore true worship across Judah.

What it teaches.
True repentance is marked by a trembling recognition of God's word and a godly sorrow over sin. Josiah’s response teaches that God honors humility and faithfulness, even in a generation under judgment, and will sovereignly withhold personal calamity from those who seek Him with sincerity. While covenant disobedience draws divine wrath (WCF 7.3), God’s mercy responds to contrite hearts, as He did with Josiah (HC LD 33). The authority of Scripture is underscored by its power to awaken conscience and initiate national reformation when rediscovered (WCF 1.8), and God continues to speak through prophets to confirm His fixed purposes (CD 1.4).

Apply.
When God’s word is truly heard, it leads not to complacency but to decisive action and whole-life reformation.

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