2 Chronicles 34:19-33
The Book Is Read
19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes
20and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
21“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.”
22So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
23And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you
24that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah,
25because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’
26But as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard,
27because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
28‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its people.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.
29Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
30And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people great and small—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
31So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of the covenant that were written in this book.
32Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
33And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Berean Standard Bible
When Josiah hears the words of the Law, he tears his clothes. He tells Hilkiah and the officials to inquire of the LORD about the words that have been found, because the LORD's wrath is poured out against Judah for not keeping what is written.
Hilkiah and the king's officials go to Huldah the prophetess. She says disaster will come upon Jerusalem and its people because they have forsaken God and provoked him with their idols. But she also delivers God's word to Josiah: because his heart was tender and he humbled himself, he will be gathered to his fathers in peace.
Josiah gathers the elders, priests, Levites, and all the people, from the greatest to the least. He reads the entire Book of the Covenant found in the temple. Then he makes a covenant before the LORD to follow him and keep his commandments, testimonies, and statutes with all his heart and soul.
He removes the detestable things from every territory belonging to Israel and makes everyone in Israel serve the LORD. The people continue to follow the LORD throughout Josiah's lifetime. Hearing the word leads to grief, inquiry, public reading, covenant, and reform.
Questions
1 How did Josiah respond to the Law?
AnswerJosiah tore his clothes and sought the LORD because he understood Judah's guilt.
2 What did Huldah announce?
AnswerHuldah announced coming disaster for Judah but promised Josiah peace because he had humbled himself.
3 Who heard the Book of the Covenant?
AnswerThe elders, priests, Levites, and all the people, from greatest to least, heard it read.
4 What covenant did Josiah make?
AnswerJosiah covenanted to follow the LORD and keep His commandments, testimonies, and statutes with all his heart and soul.
What This Means for Us
Josiah does not use Scripture to confirm what he already wants. He hears judgment, grieves, asks what it means, and brings the whole community under the word.
Let the Bible be heard fully enough to unsettle you when necessary. A serious response includes repentance, shared understanding, and changed practice—not only a strong feeling during the reading.
Prayer
Lord, give us tender hearts when your word exposes our sin. Help us listen together, repent honestly, and make changes that show we have heard what you say. Amen.