One Year Chronological Bible Sampler - Flipbook - Page 186
JULY 31
p a g e 1008
Hilkiah Discovers God’s Law / 2 Kings 22:3-20 / ca. 623 BC
In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and
grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. He told
him, 4“Go to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money the gatekeepers
have collected from the people at the LORD’s Temple. 5Entrust this money to the
men assigned to supervise the restoration of the LORD’s Temple. Then they can
use it to pay workers to repair the Temple. 6 They will need to hire carpenters, builders, and masons. Also have them buy the timber and the finished stone needed to
repair the Temple. 7But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account
of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”
8
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the
Book of the Law in the LORD’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan,
and he read it.
9
Shaphan went to the king and reported, “Your officials have turned over the
money collected at the Temple of the LORD to the workers and supervisors at the
Temple.” 10Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.”
So Shaphan read it to the king.
11
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his
clothes in despair. 12 Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son
of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the
king’s personal adviser: 13 “Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and
for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that
has been found. For the LORD’s great anger is burning against us because our
ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing
everything it says we must do.”
14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the New
Quarter* of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of
Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple wardrobe.
15
She said to them, “ The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go back and tell
the man who sent you, 16‘ This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster
on this city* and its people. All the words written in the scroll that the king of Judah has read will come true. 17For my people have abandoned me and offered
sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they
have done. My anger will burn against this place, and it will not be quenched.’
18
“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him:
‘ This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have
just heard: 19 You were sorry and humbled yourself before the LORD when you
heard what I said against this city and its people—that this land would be cursed
and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in
repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the LORD. 20So I will not send the
promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will
not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’ ”
So they took her message back to the king.
3
2 Chronicles 34:8-28
In the eighteenth year of his reign, after he had purified the land and the Temple, Josiah appointed Shaphan son of Azaliah, Maaseiah the governor of Jerusa-
8
22:14 Or the Second Quarter, a newer section of Jerusalem. Hebrew reads the Mishneh.
in 22:19, 20.
22:16 Hebrew this place; also
