2 Kings 22
1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.
2And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the Lord, saying:
4Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, and let him tally the silver that has been brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers of the threshold have collected from the people.
5and let them give it into the hand of the workers who are appointed in the house of the Lord; and let them give it to the workers who are in the house of the Lord to repair the damages of the house.
6to the craftsmen and to the builders and to the masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
7However, no accounting shall be required of them for the silver put into their hand, for they are dealing faithfully.
8And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found the scroll of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it.
9And Shaphan the secretary came to the king and brought back a report to the king; and he said, Your servants have poured out the silver that was found in the house, and have given it into the hand of the workers appointed in the house of the Lord.
10And Shaphan the scribe reported to the king, saying, 'A scroll Hilkiah the priest gave to me.' And Shaphan read it before the king.
11When the king heard the words of the scroll of the law, he tore his clothes.
12And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam son of Shaphan, and Achbor son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,
13Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this scroll that has been found, for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers did not obey the words of this scroll, to do according to all that is written concerning us.
14So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe -- she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter -- and they spoke with her.
15And she said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Say to the man who sent you to me,
16Thus says the Lord, Behold, I am bringing disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the scroll that the king of Judah has read.
17Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods, so as to provoke me with all the work of their hands, my wrath has been kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.
18And to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD -- thus you shall say to him: 'Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: the words that you heard --'
19Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke concerning this place and its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your garments and wept before me, I also have heard you -- declares the LORD.
20Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your graves in peace, and your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing upon this place. And they brought back the king a report.