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2 Kings 22

2 Kings 22 Summary, Context, and Full Chapter

In 2 Kings 22, King Josiah leads Judah with unusual faithfulness and turns his attention to repairing the temple. A lost copy of the Book of the Law is found, and when Josiah hears it read, he responds with grief and humility. The chapter shows a king who takes God's word seriously.

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What happens in 2 Kings 22?

Josiah, who began ruling as a child, is described as doing what was right before the Lord. In his eighteenth year, he orders funds to be used for repairing the temple, trusting the workers to handle the money honestly. During the repairs, Hilkiah the priest finds the Book of the Law and gives it to Shaphan, who reads it to the king. Josiah tears his clothes in distress, recognizes Judah's disobedience, and sends officials to ask the Lord what should be done. Huldah answers that judgment is coming because of the nation's idolatry, but Josiah himself will die in peace because he humbled himself.

This chapter comes near the end of the account of Judah's kings before the fall of Jerusalem. It follows the dark reign of Manasseh and the shorter rule of Amon, then sets up Josiah's reforms in the next chapter. The discovery of the Law becomes a turning point in the book, showing how God's word confronts both national sin and personal repentance.

Themes to notice

  • Faithful leadershipJosiah is presented as a king who seeks to do what is right and act with integrity.
  • God's word recoveredThe discovery and reading of the Book of the Law brings truth back into focus for Judah.
  • Repentance and judgmentJosiah humbles himself before the Lord, even as the nation faces coming discipline.

Questions for 2 Kings 22

  • Why does Josiah respond so strongly when he hears the Book of the Law read?
  • What does the temple repair project show about Josiah's priorities?
  • How do Huldah's words hold together both judgment on Judah and mercy toward Josiah?

Read the full text of 2 Kings 22 below, then open it in the reader to highlight, take notes, or ask follow-up Bible questions. No account is required to read.

2 Kings 22

Josiah Reigns in Judah

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.

Funding the Temple Repairs

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.”

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

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 clothes12and 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.”

Huldah’s Prophecy

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 you16that 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.

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