Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
While temple funds are being handled, Hilkiah finds the book of the law and gives it to Shaphan. After reporting on the repair work, Shaphan also reads the discovered book before the king.
W14hile they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. 15And Hilkiah 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. 16Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. 17They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.” 18Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
Hearing the law, Josiah tears his clothes and sends trusted men to inquire of the LORD. He recognizes that the nation stands under wrath because its fathers have not kept what is written.
19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes 20and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king: 21“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.”