2 Kings 22

1Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah from Bozkath. 2He did what was right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his ancestor David. He did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent the secretary Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying, 4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count up the money brought into the house of the LORD, the money the doorkeepers have taken in from the people, 5and have them hand it to the men doing the work, who have been put in charge of the house of the LORD. Let these pay it to the workmen in the house of the LORD who are repairing the damage to the house, 6to the craftsmen, the builders and the masons, and let them buy timber and dressed stone to repair the house. 7But no accounting is to be asked of them for the money handed to them, because they deal honestly.” 8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “In the house of the LORD I have found the book of the law.” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him, “Your officials have emptied out the money found in the house and handed it over to the men doing the work, who have been put in charge of the house of the LORD.” 10Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has handed me a book.” And Shaphan read it aloud to the king. 11When the king heard the words written in the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12Then the king gave orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s official, 13“Go and ask the LORD on my behalf, and on behalf of the people and all Judah, about the words of this book that has been found. The LORD’s anger burns hot against us, because our ancestors did not listen to the words of this book or do all that it lays down for us.” 14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to the prophet Huldah, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. Her home was in the Second Quarter of Jerusalem, and they spoke with her. 15She said to them, “The LORD, the God of Israel, says this: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16‘The LORD says this: I am about to bring disaster on this place and on those who live in it, all the words in the book the king of Judah has read, 17because they have abandoned me and burned incense to other gods, provoking me to anger with all the work of their hands. So my wrath will blaze against this place, and it will not be put out.’ 18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to ask the LORD, say this: ‘The LORD, the God of Israel, says this: As for the words you have heard, 19because your heart was tender, and when you heard what I spoke against this place and its people, that they would become a horror and a curse, you humbled yourself before the LORD; and because you tore your clothes and wept before me, I in turn have heard you, declares the LORD. 20Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. You will not see with your own eyes all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’” Then they took her answer back to the king.