Study notes

2 Kings 22

Introducing 2 KingsWho wrote it, when, why, and what to look for as you read

21:1–23:25 Section

Manasseh didn’t follow Hezekiah’s example. He did more evil things than any king in Judah before him. He led the people to worship false gods and follow Canaanite practices that God hated. This included sacrificing children.

Manasseh also murdered many people in Jerusalem. Through the prophets, God announced that his people could no longer continue living in their land. They had made the land unclean with their evil deeds. They hadn’t lived as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. So God told them how they would be punished for making the land unclean.

The worst part of the covenant curses would happen to the southern kingdom. Jerusalem and Judah would be destroyed like Samaria and the northern kingdom had been destroyed. Amon was the next king and he followed Manasseh’s example. Josiah ruled after him. Josiah didn’t do evil like Manasseh did. He followed David’s example.

Josiah listened when the Book of the Law was read out loud. This was a copy of the Law of Moses. Josiah’s heart was humble and tender toward God and the law. This pleased God. The prophet Huldah announced that God wouldn’t allow Judah to be destroyed while Josiah was alive.

Josiah led the people to commit again to obeying the Mount Sinai covenant. He got rid of everything that had to do with worshipping false gods. This included altars and high places.

Josiah also led the people in celebrating the Passover Feast. He made sure that the Law of Moses was followed in Judah.

22:1–2

Josiah became the king of Judah in 640 BC. Like Joash (2 Kings 11:21), he was still a child when he became king. He was loyal to the Lord, much like David, Asa (1 Kings 15:11), and Hezekiah (2 Kings 18:3).
did what was right: Josiah's actions followed the high standards of the law (Deuteronomy 17:11; 28:14).

22:3–4

By the eighteenth year of his reign, which was in 621 BC, Josiah had followed the Lord for ten years (see 2 Chronicles 34:3–7).
Hilkiah, the high priest, came from Zadok's family line (1 Chronicles 9:10–11). Some scholars think this Hilkiah was Jeremiah’s father (Jeremiah 1:1).
The money was collected in a large chest placed where people could easily access it as they entered the temple (compare 2 Kings 12:9).

22:5–7

Josiah gave Shaphan instructions similar to those Joash gave for repairing the temple during his rule (2 Kings 12:10–15).

22:8–10

The scroll called the Book of the Law might have included all or part of Deuteronomy or even the entire Pentateuch (compare Deuteronomy 31:26). We do not know how it was lost or where it was found in the temple. Shaphan quickly reported the important discovery and read it to the king.

22:11–13

Like Hezekiah before him (2 Kings 19:1), Josiah tore his clothes in deep sorrow for his own spiritual state and that of the people of Judah.
have not obeyed the words of this book: The part Shaphan read to Josiah reminded him of God's claim on his people, the need to stay faithful to the covenant, and the consequences for unfaithfulness (see Deuteronomy 28). Realizing that Judah had not followed the law, Josiah rightly feared the Lord's great anger.

22:14

Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum: Some suggest Shallum was related to Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 32:7–12). Huldah's family ties might have let her serve as a court prophet (see also 2 Chronicles 34:22–28).

22:15–17

this is what the LORD says: Like Miriam (Exodus 15:20) and Deborah (Judges 4:4), Huldah had the honor of sharing God's message with the people. Huldah confirmed Josiah's fears that God would punish Jerusalem for the people's unfaithfulness and many sins.

22:18–20

God praised Josiah for his sorrow and humility after hearing God's word. Although God's judgment was sure, God would delay it until after Josiah's death.

Verse notes: Adapted by Mission Mutual (Aquifer Open Study Notes) from Tyndale Open Study Notes © 2023 Tyndale House Publishers. CC BY-SA 4.0. Section notes: Biblica Study Notes © 2023 Biblica, Inc. CC BY-SA 4.0, via BibleAquifer. About the sources