Bible Commentaries
2 Kings 22

Introduction

Overview

2 Kings 22:1, Josiah’s good reign; 2 Kings 22:3, He takes care for the repair of the temple; 2 Kings 22:8, Hilkiah having found a book of the law, Josiah sends to Huldah to enquire of the Lord; 2 Kings 22:15, Huldah prophesies the destruction of Jerusalem, but respite thereof in Josiah’s time.

Verse 1

am 3363-3394, bc 641-610

Josiah: This prince was one of the best, if not the best, of all the Jewish kings since the time of David. He began well, continued well, and ended well. 1 Kings 13:2, 2 Chronicles 34:1, 2 Chronicles 34:2-33, Jeremiah 1:2, Zephaniah 1:1, Matthew 1:10, Josias

eight years old: 2 Kings 11:21, 2 Kings 21:1, Psalms 8:2, Ecclesiastes 10:16, Isaiah 3:4

Boscath: This was a city in the plain country of the tribe of Judah; and is mentioned in the parallel passage along with Lachish and Eglon. Joshua 15:39, Bozkath

Reciprocal: 1 Chronicles 3:14 - Josiah

Verse 2

right: 2 Kings 16:2, 2 Kings 18:3, 2 Chronicles 17:3, 2 Chronicles 29:2, Proverbs 20:11

walked: 1 Kings 3:6, 1 Kings 11:38, 1 Kings 15:5

turned: Deuteronomy 5:32, Joshua 1:7, Proverbs 4:27, Ezekiel 18:14-17

Reciprocal: Exodus 15:26 - and wilt Deuteronomy 28:14 - thou shalt 2 Samuel 2:19 - turned 1 Kings 13:2 - Josiah by name 1 Chronicles 28:9 - serve him 2 Chronicles 31:20 - wrought 2 Chronicles 34:2 - right in the sight Isaiah 30:21 - when ye turn to the right Jeremiah 22:15 - and do

Verse 3

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in the: 2 Chronicles 34:3-8, 9-33

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 12:10 - the king's 2 Kings 22:9 - Shaphan 2 Chronicles 34:8 - sent Shaphan Jeremiah 36:12 - Gemariah Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan

Verse 4

Hilkiah: 1 Chronicles 6:13, 1 Chronicles 9:11, 2 Chronicles 34:9-18

that he may: Ten years seem to have elapsed since the people began to present the accustomed offerings; yet no one had taken an account of them, nor were they applied to the purpose for which they were given.

sum the silver: 2 Kings 12:4, 2 Kings 12:8-11, 2 Chronicles 24:8-12, Mark 12:41, Mark 12:42

the keepers: 1 Chronicles 9:19, 1 Chronicles 26:13-19, 2 Chronicles 8:14, Nehemiah 11:19, Psalms 84:10

door: Heb. threshold

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 12:9 - the priests 2 Kings 23:4 - the keepers 1 Chronicles 15:23 - General Ezra 7:1 - Hilkiah

Verse 5

deliver: 2 Kings 12:11-14

to repair: 2 Kings 12:5, 2 Chronicles 24:7, 2 Chronicles 24:12, 2 Chronicles 24:13, 2 Chronicles 24:27, Ezra 3:7

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:9 - they delivered 2 Chronicles 34:10 - in the hand

Verse 6

carpenters: or, artificers, Exodus 28:11, Exodus 35:35, Exodus 38:23

builders: 2 Kings 12:11, Genesis 4:17, 1 Kings 5:18, 1 Kings 6:12

masons: or, repairers of the wall, 2 Kings 12:12, Isaiah 58:12, Ezekiel 22:30

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 12:5 - let them repair 1 Chronicles 22:2 - masons 2 Chronicles 34:10 - in the hand Ezra 3:7 - gave money

Verse 7

Howbeit: 2 Kings 12:15, 2 Chronicles 24:14

they dealt faithfully: Exodus 36:5, Exodus 36:6, Nehemiah 7:2, Proverbs 28:20, Luke 16:10-12, 1 Corinthians 4:2, 2 Corinthians 8:20, 2 Corinthians 8:21, 2 Timothy 2:2, 3 John 1:5

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:12 - faithfully Ezra 7:18 - whatsoever Nehemiah 13:13 - counted

Verse 8

I have found: This certainly was a genuine copy of the divine law, and probably the autograph of Moses, as it is said, in the parallel place of Chronicles, to be the book of the law of the Lord by Moses. It is not probable that this was the only copy of the law in the land, or that Josiah had never before seen the book of Moses; but the fact seems to be, that this was the original of the covenant renewed by Moses in the plains of Moab, and now being unexpectedly found, its antiquity, the occasion of its being made, the present circumstances of the people, the imperfect state in which the reformation was as yet, after all that had been done, would all concur to produce the effect here mentioned on the mind of the pious Josiah. Deuteronomy 31:24-26, 2 Chronicles 34:14, 2 Chronicles 34:15-28

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 17:18 - out of that which Deuteronomy 31:26 - in the side Joshua 8:31 - as it is 2 Kings 23:2 - the book 2 Kings 23:24 - the book Ezra 7:1 - Hilkiah Jeremiah 29:3 - Shaphan Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan

Verse 9

Shaphan: 2 Kings 22:3, 2 Kings 22:12, 2 Kings 25:22, Jeremiah 26:24, Jeremiah 29:3, Jeremiah 36:10-12, Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 40:11, Jeremiah 41:2, Ezekiel 8:11

the scribe: 2 Kings 18:18

gathered: Heb. melted

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:16 - Shaphan

Verse 10

Shaphan: Deuteronomy 31:9-13, 2 Chronicles 34:18, Nehemiah 8:1-7, Nehemiah 8:14, Nehemiah 8:15, Nehemiah 8:18, Nehemiah 13:1, Jeremiah 36:6, Jeremiah 36:15, Jeremiah 36:21

the king: Deuteronomy 17:18-20, Jeremiah 13:18, Jeremiah 22:1, Jeremiah 22:2

Reciprocal: Leviticus 4:23 - if his sin 2 Chronicles 34:16 - Shaphan Jeremiah 36:13 - General

Verse 11

that he rent: 2 Kings 22:19, 2 Chronicles 34:19, Jeremiah 36:24, Joel 2:13, Jonah 3:6, Jonah 3:7

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 18:37 - with their clothes rent Nehemiah 8:9 - all the people Isaiah 37:1 - he rent Amos 2:4 - because Micah 6:9 - and

Verse 12

the king: 2 Kings 19:2, 2 Kings 19:3, 2 Chronicles 34:19-21, Isaiah 37:1-4

Ahikam: 2 Kings 22:9, Jeremiah 26:22, Jeremiah 26:24

Achbor: 2 Chronicles 34:20, Abdon

Michaiah: or, Micah

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 12:10 - the king's 2 Kings 25:22 - Ahikam 1 Chronicles 6:13 - Hilkiah 2 Chronicles 34:8 - sent Shaphan Psalms 11:3 - what Isaiah 37:2 - General Jeremiah 29:3 - Gemariah Jeremiah 36:11 - Shaphan Jeremiah 36:12 - Elnathan Jeremiah 40:5 - Ahikam Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan

Verse 13

inquire: 2 Kings 3:11, 1 Kings 22:7, 1 Kings 22:8, 1 Chronicles 10:13, 1 Chronicles 10:14, Psalms 25:14, Proverbs 3:6, Jeremiah 21:1, Jeremiah 21:2, Jeremiah 37:17, Ezekiel 14:3, Ezekiel 14:4, Ezekiel 20:1-3, Amos 3:7

great: Exodus 20:5, Deuteronomy 4:23-27, Deuteronomy 29:23-28, Deuteronomy 31:17, Deuteronomy 31:18, Nehemiah 8:8, Nehemiah 8:9, Nehemiah 9:3, Psalms 76:7, Daniel 9:5-7, Nahum 1:6, Romans 3:20, Romans 4:15, Romans 7:9, Revelation 6:17

because our fathers: 2 Chronicles 29:6, 2 Chronicles 34:21, Psalms 106:6, Jeremiah 16:12, Jeremiah 44:17, Lamentations 5:7, Daniel 9:8, Daniel 9:10, James 1:22-25

Reciprocal: Deuteronomy 31:26 - a witness 2 Kings 19:2 - he sent Eliakim Isaiah 5:25 - the anger Isaiah 24:5 - because Jeremiah 18:11 - return Jeremiah 36:7 - for Ezekiel 9:4 - that sigh

Verse 14

prophetess: Exodus 15:20, Judges 4:4, Micah 6:4, Luke 1:41-56, Luke 2:36, Acts 21:9, 1 Corinthians 11:5

Tikvah: 2 Chronicles 34:22, Tikvath, Hasrah

wardrobe: Heb. garments, 2 Kings 10:22, Nehemiah 7:72

college: or, second part

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 19:2 - he sent Eliakim 2 Kings 20:4 - court 2 Chronicles 34:8 - sent Shaphan Isaiah 8:3 - the prophetess Jeremiah 21:2 - Inquire Jeremiah 26:22 - Achbor Jeremiah 36:12 - Elnathan Jeremiah 40:5 - Ahikam Ezekiel 8:11 - Shaphan Ezekiel 13:17 - prophesy Zephaniah 1:10 - the second Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage

Verse 15

2 Kings 1:6, 2 Kings 1:16, Jeremiah 23:28

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:23 - Tell ye the man Proverbs 31:26 - openeth Isaiah 37:6 - Thus shall Jeremiah 42:9 - unto

Verse 16

Behold: 2 Kings 20:17, 2 Kings 21:12, 2 Kings 21:13, 2 Chronicles 34:24, 2 Chronicles 34:25

all the words: 2 Kings 25:1-4, Leviticus 26:15-46, Deuteronomy 28:15-68, Deuteronomy 29:18-23, Deuteronomy 30:17, Deuteronomy 30:18, Deuteronomy 31:16-18, Deuteronomy 32:15-26, Joshua 23:13, Joshua 23:15, Daniel 9:11-14

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 23:26 - Notwithstanding Jeremiah 11:11 - I will bring Jeremiah 19:4 - they have Jeremiah 32:31 - this city Zephaniah 1:2 - I will Zephaniah 2:2 - the decree Zechariah 1:2 - Lord

Verse 17

have forsaken: Exodus 32:34, Deuteronomy 29:24-28, Deuteronomy 32:15-19, Judges 2:12-14, Judges 3:7, Judges 3:8, Judges 10:6, Judges 10:7, Judges 10:10-14, 1 Kings 9:6-9, Nehemiah 9:26, Nehemiah 9:27, Psalms 106:35-42, Jeremiah 2:11-13, Jeremiah 2:27, Jeremiah 2:28

the works: Psalms 115:4-8, Isaiah 2:8, Isaiah 2:9, Isaiah 44:17-20, Isaiah 46:5-8, Micah 5:13

therefore: 1 Thessalonians 2:16

shall not be: Deuteronomy 32:22, 2 Chronicles 36:16, Isaiah 33:14, Jeremiah 7:20, Jeremiah 17:27, Ezekiel 20:47, Ezekiel 20:48, Zephaniah 1:18

Reciprocal: 2 Kings 21:2 - And he did 2 Kings 21:22 - General 2 Kings 22:19 - hast rent 2 Kings 23:26 - Notwithstanding 2 Kings 24:20 - through 2 Chronicles 34:25 - shall not Isaiah 65:3 - A people Jeremiah 1:16 - who have Jeremiah 19:4 - they have Jeremiah 22:9 - General Jeremiah 32:31 - this city Jeremiah 36:7 - for Jeremiah 44:17 - as we Ezekiel 24:8 - it might Zephaniah 1:2 - I will Zephaniah 2:2 - the decree Zechariah 1:2 - Lord Revelation 9:20 - worship

Verse 18

the king: 2 Chronicles 34:26-28

thus shall ye: Isaiah 3:10, Malachi 3:16, Malachi 3:17

Reciprocal: 2 Chronicles 34:27 - thine heart Jeremiah 37:7 - Thus Ezekiel 18:20 - soul that 2 Corinthians 9:1 - touching

Verse 19

thine heart: 1 Samuel 24:5, Psalms 51:17, Psalms 119:120, Isaiah 46:12, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2, Isaiah 66:5, Jeremiah 36:24, Jeremiah 36:29-32, Ezekiel 9:4, Romans 2:4, Romans 2:5, James 4:6-10

humbled: Exodus 10:3, Leviticus 26:40, Leviticus 26:41, 1 Kings 21:29, 2 Chronicles 33:12, 2 Chronicles 33:19, 2 Chronicles 33:23, Micah 6:8, 1 Peter 5:5, 1 Peter 5:6

a desolation: Leviticus 26:31, Leviticus 26:32, Deuteronomy 29:23, Jeremiah 26:6, Jeremiah 44:22

hast rent: 2 Kings 22:17

wept: Numbers 25:6, Judges 2:4, Judges 2:5, Judges 20:26, Ezra 9:3, Ezra 9:4, Ezra 10:1, Nehemiah 1:4, Nehemiah 8:9, Psalms 119:136, Jeremiah 9:1, Jeremiah 13:17, Jeremiah 14:17, Luke 19:41, Romans 9:2, Romans 9:3

I also have: 2 Kings 19:20, 2 Kings 20:5

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 11:12 - in thy days 2 Kings 18:37 - with their clothes rent 2 Kings 22:11 - that he rent 2 Chronicles 34:19 - that he rent 2 Chronicles 34:27 - thine heart Psalms 34:18 - such as Psalms 119:161 - my heart Jeremiah 23:9 - heart Jeremiah 25:18 - to make Jeremiah 36:13 - General Jeremiah 44:10 - humbled Ezekiel 11:19 - I will put Joel 2:13 - rend Zechariah 1:2 - Lord Acts 24:25 - Felix 1 Corinthians 5:2 - mourned Galatians 3:13 - being

Verse 20

I will gather: Genesis 25:8, Deuteronomy 31:16, 1 Chronicles 17:11, 2 Chronicles 34:28

thou shalt: During thy life, none of these calamities shall fall upon thee nor thy people; no adversary shall be permitted to disturb the peace of Judea; and thou shalt at last "be gathered into thy grave in peace." Now, though it is stated that Pharaoh-Necho slew him at Megiddo, yet the Assyrians and the Jews were at peace; and though Josiah might feel it his duty to oppose the Egyptian king's going against his friend and ally, and that, in his endeavours to oppose him, he was mortally wounded at Megiddo, yet certainly he was not killed there, but was brought to Jerusalem, where he died in peace.

gathered: 2 Kings 23:29, 2 Kings 23:30, Psalms 37:37, Isaiah 57:1, Isaiah 57:2, Jeremiah 22:10, Jeremiah 22:15, Jeremiah 22:16

Reciprocal: 1 Kings 2:6 - in 1 Kings 11:12 - in thy days Job 23:17 - cut off Isaiah 66:2 - to this Jeremiah 23:9 - heart Jeremiah 34:5 - But thou Jeremiah 39:6 - before Ezekiel 9:4 - that sigh Amos 3:7 - but Revelation 13:14 - deceiveth