Read Scripture ad-free with Bible Gateway Plus—trusted Study Bibles and commentaries beside every verse. Try it FREE for 7 days.
Log In/Sign Up

#
2 Kings 22
New International Version

### The Book of the Law Found(A)

22 Josiah(B) 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.(C) 2 He did what was right(D) in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right(E) or to the left.

3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the secretary, Shaphan(F) son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the temple of the Lord. He said: 4 “Go up to Hilkiah(G) the high priest and have him get ready the money that has been brought into the temple of the Lord, which the doorkeepers have collected(H) from the people. 5 Have them entrust it to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. And have these men pay the workers who repair(I) the temple of the Lord— 6 the carpenters, the builders and the masons. Also have them purchase timber and dressed stone to repair the temple.(J) 7 But they need not account for the money entrusted to them, because they are honest in their dealings.”(K)

8 Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law(L) in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.(M)

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law,(N) he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam(O) son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant:(P) 13 “Go and inquire(Q) of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger(R) that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

14 Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet(S) Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

15 She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster(T) on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book(U) the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken(V) me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made,[a] my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire(W) of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled(X) yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse[b](Y) and be laid waste(Z)—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace.(AA) Your eyes(AB) will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

So they took her answer back to the king.

#### Footnotes

1. 2 Kings 22:17 Or by everything they have done
2. 2 Kings 22:19 That is, their names would be used in cursing (see Jer. 29:22); or, others would see that they are cursed.

#### Cross references

1. 2 Kings 22:1 : 22:1-20pp — 2Ch 34:1-2, 8-28
2. 2 Kings 22:1 : Jer 1:2; 25:3
3. 2 Kings 22:1 : Jos 15:39
4. 2 Kings 22:2 : S Dt 17:19; S 1Ki 14:8
5. 2 Kings 22:2 : S Dt 5:32
6. 2 Kings 22:3 : 2Ch 34:20; Jer 39:14
7. 2 Kings 22:4 : Ezr 7:1
8. 2 Kings 22:4 : 2Ki 12:4-5
9. 2 Kings 22:5 : 2Ki 12:5, 11-14
10. 2 Kings 22:6 : 2Ki 12:11-12
11. 2 Kings 22:7 : S 2Ki 12:15
12. 2 Kings 22:8 : S Dt 28:61; S 31:24; Gal 3:10
13. 2 Kings 22:10 : Jer 36:21
14. 2 Kings 22:11 : ver 8
15. 2 Kings 22:12 : 2Ki 25:22; Jer 26:24; 39:14
16. 2 Kings 22:12 : 1Sa 8:14
17. 2 Kings 22:13 : S Ge 25:22; S 1Sa 9:9
18. 2 Kings 22:13 : Dt 29:24-28; S 31:17; Isa 5:25; 42:25; Am 2:4
19. 2 Kings 22:14 : S Ex 15:20
20. 2 Kings 22:16 : S Dt 31:29; S Jos 23:15; Jer 6:19; 11:11; 18:11; 35:17
21. 2 Kings 22:16 : Da 9:11
22. 2 Kings 22:17 : S 1Ki 9:9
23. 2 Kings 22:18 : Jer 21:2; 37:3, 7
24. 2 Kings 22:19 : S Ex 10:3; Isa 57:15; 61:1; Mic 6:8
25. 2 Kings 22:19 : Jer 24:9; 25:18; 26:6
26. 2 Kings 22:19 : Lev 26:31
27. 2 Kings 22:20 : Isa 47:11; 57:1; Jer 18:11
28. 2 Kings 22:20 : S 1Ki 21:29

New International Version (NIV)

Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.

### More on the NIV

- Unleash God's Word!

#### Bible Gateway Recommends

NIV, Journal the Word Bible, Red Letter, Comfort Print: Reflect, Take Notes, or Create Art Next to Your Favorite Verses
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $27.99
Save: $12.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Woman's Study Bible, Full-Color, Red Letter: Receiving God's Truth for Balance, Hope, and Transformation
Retail: $49.99
Our Price: $34.99
Save: $15.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, The Story, Hardcover, Comfort Print: The Bible as One Continuing Story of God and His People
Retail: $19.98
Our Price: $7.50
Save: $12.48 (62%)
Buy Now
NIV, Artisan Collection Bible, Gilded Edges, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Radiant Virtues Bible: A Beautiful Word Collection, Red Letter Edition, Comfort Print: Explore the virtues of faith, hope, and love
Retail: $69.98
Our Price: $48.99
Save: $20.99 (30%)
Buy Now
NIV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible, Red Letter Edition: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture
Retail: $59.99
Our Price: $41.99
Save: $18.00 (30%)
Buy Now
View more titles