2 Kings 22:8-13·~1 min

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law

Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law, Shaphan reads it, and then brings both the repair report and the book itself before the king.

T⁸hen 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.

When Josiah hears the book, he tears his clothes and sends a delegation to inquire of the LORD, fearing the judgment Judah has deserved by disobedience.

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.”

Section summaryWhile the repair work is underway, Hilkiah finds the Book of the Law in the temple and gives it to Shaphan, who reads it and then reads it before the king. Josiah responds with grief and urgency, recognizing that Judah stands under the book’s judgment for long disobedience.

Role in the chapterThis section is the chapter’s turning point. The work of repairing the temple gives way to the deeper work of hearing the neglected word of God.