2 Kings 22

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.

At the tender age of eight, Josiah began his rule, and for thirty-one years, he led with wisdom in Jerusalem. His mother, Jedidah, a woman of grace and strength, was the cherished daughter of Adaiah from Boscath.

And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

He acted rightly, as God would approve, following the path of his father David without straying.

And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,

In the 18th year of King Josiah's reign, he sent Shaphan, Azaliah's son and Meshullam's grandson, who was a scribe, to the Lord's house. He told him,

Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:

Ask Hilkiah, the respected priest, to count the silver that people have generously donated to the Lord's house, collected by the doorkeepers.

And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,

Allow those who care for the Lord's house to receive what's needed. Let them use it to mend the damages in the house of the Lord.

Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.

To skilled craftsmakers, builders, and stone masons, purchase wood and cut stone to mend the sacred home.

Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.

Despite no account being kept of the money given to them, they were trusted completely because they handled it honestly.

And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.

With a sense of awe, High Priest Hilkiah told Scribe Shaphan, "I've discovered the sacred law book in God's house." Handing it over, Shaphan read the book with reverence.

And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.

Shaphan the writer returned to the king, bringing news. He said, "Your servants have collected the money found in the house. They've given it to those in charge of the Lord's house, who are overseeing the work."

And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.

Shaphan the writer presented to the king, emotionally stating, "Hilkiah the priest has given me a book." Then, Shaphan passionately read it aloud to the king.

And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.

When the king heard the words from the law book, he was so overwhelmed that he tore his clothes in distress.

And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’s, saying,

The king ordered Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah, his servant, with a stern voice and a determined look in his eyes.

Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.

Please, seek God's guidance for me, for our people, and for all of Judah. We need to understand the message of this discovered book. God's anger is fierce against us because our ancestors ignored its teachings. They failed to live as it instructed us.

So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

Hilkiah the priest, along with Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asahiah, sought guidance from Huldah, a respected prophetess. Huldah, the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas, keeper of the royal wardrobe, lived in Jerusalem, in the city's Second District. They went to her, eager to hear her insights.

And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,

She told them, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Relay my message to the man who sent you to me."

Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

The Lord declares, "I will bring disaster on this land and its people, just as described in the book the King of Judah read."

Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

They've abandoned me, worshipping other gods, their actions fueling my anger. Thus, my fury will ignite against them, an unquenchable flame.

But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;

To the King of Judah who sought the Lord's wisdom, relay this message: This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says about the words you have heard:

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

Your heart was soft and you humbly bowed before God. When you heard His words of warning about the impending doom and curse on this place and its people, you tore your clothes in distress and cried out to Him. God has heard your plea.

Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

So, I promise you, you'll join your ancestors in peaceful rest, shielded from the impending chaos I'll unleash here. This message was then relayed back to the king.