2 Kings 22:8–23:3

⁸The chief priest Hilkiah told the scribe Shaphan, “I have found the Book of Moses’ Teachings in the Lord’s temple.” Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who then read it. 

⁹The scribe Shaphan went to the king and reported, “We have taken the money donated in the temple and have given it to the workmen who are in charge of the Lord’s temple.” ¹⁰Then the scribe Shaphan told the king, “The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it to the king. 

¹¹When the king heard what the book of the Teachings said, he tore his clothes ⸤in distress⸥. ¹²Then the king gave an order to the priest Hilkiah, to Ahikam (son of Shaphan), Achbor (son of Micaiah), the scribe Shaphan, and the royal official Asaiah. He said, ¹³“On behalf of the people, all of Judah, and me, ask the Lord about the words in this book that has been found. The Lord’s fierce anger is directed towards us because our ancestors did not obey the things in this book or do everything written ⸤in it⸥.”^a

¹⁴So the priest Hilkiah, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to talk to the prophet Huldah. She was the wife of Shallum, son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas. Shallum was in charge of the ⸤royal⸥ wardrobe. Huldah was living in the Second Part of Jerusalem. 

¹⁵She told them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ¹⁶‘This is what the Lord says: I’m going to bring disaster on this place and on the people living here according to everything written in the book that the king of Judah has read. ¹⁷I will do this because they have abandoned me and sacrificed to other gods in order to make me furious. Therefore, my burning anger directed at this place will never be extinguished.’ ” 

¹⁸⸤Huldah added,⸥ “But tell Judah’s king who sent you to me to ask the Lord a question, ‘This is what the Lord God of Israel says about the words you heard: ¹⁹You had a change of heart and humbled yourself in front of the Lord when you heard my words against this place and those who live here. I had said that those who live here will be destroyed and cursed. You also tore your clothes ⸤in distress⸥ and cried in front of me. So I will listen ⸤to you⸥, declares the Lord. ²⁰That is why I’m going to bring you to your ancestors. I’m going to bring you to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see any of the disaster I’m going to bring on this place.’ ” 

So they reported this to the king. 

23RD CHAPTER

King Josiah’s Religious Reforms—2 Chronicles 34:29–33, 4–7; 35:1–27; 36:1

¹Then the king sent for all the respected leaders of Judah and Jerusalem to join him. ²The king, everyone in Judah, everyone living in Jerusalem, the priests, the prophets, and all the people (young and old) went to the Lord’s temple. Josiah read everything written in the Book of the Promise^afound in the Lord’s temple so that they could hear it. ³The king stood beside the pillar and made a promise to the Lord that he would follow the Lord and obey his commands, instructions, and laws with all his heart and soul. He confirmed the terms of the promise written in this book. And all the people joined in the promise.