📖 2 Kings — Chapter 22 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
2 Kings 22:1 RJosiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
2 Kings 22:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and Rwalked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
2 Kings 22:3 And it came to pass Rin the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
2 Kings 22:4 Go up to RHilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the Tdoor have gathered of the people:
2 Kings 22:5 And let them Rdeliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
2 Kings 22:6 Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
2 Kings 22:7 RHowbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
2 Kings 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, RI have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
2 Kings 22:9 And RShaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have Tgathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
2 Kings 22:10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
2 Kings 22:11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, Rthat he rent his clothes.
2 Kings 22:12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and RAhikam the son of Shaphan, and TAchbor the son of TMichaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,
2 Kings 22:13 Go ye, Renquire 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 wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
2 Kings 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the Rprophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the Twardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem Tin the college;) and they communed with her.
2 Kings 22:15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
2 Kings 22:16 Thus saith the LORD, RBehold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
2 Kings 22:17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all Rthe works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
2 Kings 22:18 But to Rthe 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;
2 Kings 22:19 Because Rthine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
2 Kings 22:20 Behold therefore, RI will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 22:1–7 — Josiah repairs the temple
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Josiah begins young and does what is right in the LORD's sight. In his eighteenth year he directs temple repairs. Money is entrusted to workers whose faithfulness makes a special accounting unnecessary. Care for worship includes honest stewardship and practical work as well as royal intention.
Key Truth: Faithfulness includes how we handle entrusted resources.
Check What You Remember
1. How old was Josiah when he began to reign? (2 Kings 22:1)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:1 (KJV).
2. In which year did he send Shaphan to the temple? (2 Kings 22:3)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:3 (KJV).
3. Why was no reckoning made with those handling the money? (2 Kings 22:7)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:7 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 22:8–13 — The law is heard
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Hilkiah finds the book of the law, and Shaphan reads it before Josiah. The king tears his clothes and orders an inquiry of the LORD. Hearing Scripture exposes the nation's disobedience. Josiah receives its words as a call to respond, not merely as an important discovery.
Key Truth: Hearing God's word calls for a response.
Check What You Remember
1. Who found the book of the law? (2 Kings 22:8)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:8 (KJV).
2. Who read it before the king? (2 Kings 22:10)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:10 (KJV).
3. What did Josiah tear when he heard it? (2 Kings 22:11)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:11 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
2 Kings 22:14–20 — Humility before God's word
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Huldah confirms that judgment will come because Judah has forsaken the LORD. She also tells Josiah that God has heard his humble response. He will not see the coming national disaster. This promise should be read alongside his later death, rather than treated as a promise that he can never fall in battle.
Key Truth: God hears a tender and humbled heart.
Check What You Remember
1. Which prophetess did the messengers consult? (2 Kings 22:14)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:14 (KJV).
2. What had Judah burned unto other gods? (2 Kings 22:17)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:17 (KJV).
3. What did Josiah do before the LORD? (2 Kings 22:19)
Find it in 2 Kings 22:19 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
Psalms 119:130 — God's words give light and understanding.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
When Scripture exposes something wrong, what would a humble response look like?
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. How does the opening assess Josiah’s course?
2. What role does Shaphan have in the discovery reaching the king?
3. Why does Josiah call for enquiry after hearing the book?
4. What explanation does Huldah give for the announced evil?
5. Why is Josiah promised he will not see the announced evil?
Notes
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