So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District. So Hilkiah the priestHilkiah, whose name means "my portion is Yahweh," was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah. His role was crucial in the religious reforms of Judah, as he discovered the Book of the Law in the temple. This discovery led to a national revival. The priesthood, especially the high priest, was a position of immense responsibility, serving as a mediator between God and the people. Hilkiah's actions demonstrate the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding a nation back to God. Ahikam
Ahikam, meaning "my brother has risen," was a prominent official and supporter of the prophet Jeremiah. His presence in this delegation signifies the involvement of influential and faithful leaders in seeking divine guidance. Ahikam's later protection of Jeremiah highlights his commitment to God's truth, even amidst political and social pressures. Achbor
Achbor, whose name means "mouse," was another official in Josiah's court. His inclusion in this group underscores the collaborative effort of the king's advisors in addressing the spiritual crisis. Achbor's participation reflects the necessity of unity among leaders when confronting national issues, especially those concerning faith and obedience to God. Shaphan
Shaphan, meaning "rock badger," was the royal secretary and a key figure in the reform movement. His role in reading the Book of the Law to King Josiah illustrates the power of God's Word to convict and inspire change. Shaphan's faithfulness in delivering the message emphasizes the importance of integrity and courage in positions of influence. Asaiah
Asaiah, meaning "Yahweh has made," was a servant of the king. His involvement in this mission highlights the diverse backgrounds of those committed to seeking God's will. Asaiah's participation reminds us that God uses people from all walks of life to accomplish His purposes, and that every role is significant in the kingdom of God. went to Huldah the prophetess
Huldah, whose name means "weasel," was a respected prophetess in Jerusalem. Her role as a female prophet in a predominantly male society underscores the inclusivity of God's call. Huldah's prophetic authority was recognized by the king's officials, demonstrating that God can speak through anyone He chooses, regardless of gender or societal norms. the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, the keeper of the wardrobe
This description provides insight into Huldah's social standing and family connections. Shallum, meaning "retribution," was responsible for the royal wardrobe, indicating a position of trust and responsibility. The mention of her family lineage and her husband's role suggests that Huldah was well-respected and integrated into the fabric of Jerusalem's society. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District
The Second District, or Mishneh, was a part of Jerusalem, possibly indicating a newer or expanded area of the city. Huldah's residence here suggests her accessibility and the strategic location for delivering God's message. Living in the heart of the city, she was positioned to influence the spiritual direction of the nation. And they spoke with her
This phrase signifies the act of seeking divine counsel through Huldah. The officials' willingness to consult a prophetess reflects their recognition of the need for spiritual insight beyond their understanding. It highlights the importance of humility and openness to God's guidance, especially when faced with critical decisions. Persons / Places / Events 1. Hilkiah the PriestA high priest during the reign of King Josiah, instrumental in the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple. 2. AhikamA royal official and son of Shaphan, known for his support of the prophet Jeremiah later in the biblical account. 3. AchborAnother royal official, involved in the consultation with Huldah the prophetess. 4. ShaphanThe royal secretary who read the Book of the Law to King Josiah, playing a key role in the religious reforms. 5. AsaiahA servant of the king, part of the delegation sent to consult Huldah. 6. Huldah the ProphetessA respected female prophet in Jerusalem, consulted for divine insight regarding the Book of the Law. 7. Jerusalem, Second DistrictThe location where Huldah resided, indicating her accessibility and the respect she commanded. Teaching Points The Importance of Seeking Godly CounselThe delegation to Huldah underscores the value of seeking wisdom from those who are spiritually mature and recognized for their insight. God's Use of Women in MinistryHuldah's role as a prophetess highlights the significant contributions of women in God's redemptive history, affirming their place in ministry. The Power of God's WordThe discovery and subsequent consultation about the Book of the Law demonstrate the transformative power of Scripture when it is read, understood, and applied. Community in Decision-MakingThe collective approach of the officials in seeking Huldah's counsel illustrates the importance of community and collaboration in discerning God's will. Bible Study Questions 1. What does the role of Huldah the prophetess teach us about the inclusion of women in spiritual leadership within the biblical account? 2. How can we apply the principle of seeking godly counsel in our own decision-making processes today? 3. In what ways does the rediscovery of the Book of the Law parallel our need for regular engagement with Scripture? 4. How does the account of Ahikam's later support of Jeremiah encourage us to stand firm in our faith, even when it is unpopular? 5. What lessons can we learn from the collective approach of Hilkiah and the officials in seeking divine guidance, and how can this be applied in our church communities? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Chronicles 34This chapter parallels the events of 2 Kings 22, providing additional context to King Josiah's reforms and the role of Huldah. Jeremiah 26Ahikam's protection of Jeremiah highlights the continuity of God's work through faithful individuals across different accounts. Acts 21The mention of prophetesses in the New Testament, such as Philip's daughters, shows the ongoing role of women in prophetic ministry. People Achbor, Adaiah, Ahikam, Asahiah, Asaiah, Azaliah, David, Harhas, Hilkiah, Huldah, Jedidah, Josiah, Meshullam, Micaiah, Michaiah, Shallum, Shaphan, TikvahPlaces Bozkath, Jerusalem, Second QuarterTopics Acbor, Achbor, Ahikam, Ahi'kam, Asahiah, Asaiah, Asai'ah, College, Communed, District, Dwelling, Dwelt, Garments, Harhas, Hilkiah, Hilki'ah, Hilkijah, Huldah, Jerusalem, Keeper, Priest, Prophet, Prophetess, Quarter, Robes, Shallum, Shaphan, Speak, Spoke, Talk, Talked, Tikvah, Town, Wardrobe, WifeDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Kings 22:8-16 1640 Book of the Law 2 Kings 22:11-20 8160 seeking God 2 Kings 22:13-20 8129 guidance, examples 2 Kings 22:14-17 7773 prophets, role 2 Kings 22:14-20 5745 women Library The Rediscovered Law and Its Effects
'And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord: and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9. And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the Lord. 10. And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureJosiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII A Traveler's Note-Book
A tourist who roams for a brief while through some great country like England or Russia may jot down a few of the impressions which come home to him, making no pretense at completeness or symmetry of description. So, one who has journeyed like a hasty traveler over some passages in that vast tract of years which we describe as the classic and Christian civilizations, notes down in the following pages a few of the salient features that have impressed him. He has already prefaced this with a sort …
George S. Merriam—The Chief End of Man Whether Determinate Things are Required for a Sacrament?
Objection 1: It seems that determinate things are not required for a sacrament. For sensible things are required in sacraments for the purpose of signification, as stated above [4343](A[4]). But nothing hinders the same thing being signified by divers sensible things: thus in Holy Scripture God is signified metaphorically, sometimes by a stone (2 Kings 22:2; Zech. 3:9; 1 Cor. 10:4; Apoc. 4:3); sometimes by a lion (Is. 31:4; Apoc. 5:5); sometimes by the sun (Is. 60:19,20; Mal. 4:2), or by something …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
THE FALL OF NINEVEH AND THE RISE OF THE CHALDAEAN AND MEDIAN EMPIRES--THE XXVIth EGYPTIAN DYNASTY: CYAXARES, ALYATTES, AND NEBUCHADREZZAR. The legendary history of the kings of Media and the first contact of the Medes with the Assyrians: the alleged Iranian migrations of the Avesta--Media-proper, its fauna and flora; Phraortes and the beginning of the Median empire--Persia proper and the Persians; conquest of Persia by the Medes--The last monuments of Assur-bani-pal: the library of Kouyunjik--Phraortes …
G. Maspero—History Of Egypt, Chaldaea, Syria, Babylonia, and Assyria, V 8 The First Blast of the Trumpet
The English Scholar's Library etc. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. The English Scholar's Library of Old and Modern Works. No. 2. The First Blast of the Trumpet &c. 1558. Edited by EDWARD ARBER, F.S.A., etc., LECTURER IN ENGLISH LITERATURE, ETC., UNIVERSITY COLLEGE, LONDON. SOUTHGATE, LONDON, N. 15 August 1878. No. 2. (All rights reserved.) CONTENTS. Bibliography vii-viii Introduction …
John Knox—The First Blast of the Trumpet Why Should we not Believe These to be Angelic Operations through Dispensation of The...
16. Why should we not believe these to be angelic operations through dispensation of the providence of God, Who maketh good use of both good things and evil, according to the unsearchable depth of His judgments? whether thereby the minds of mortals be instructed, or whether deceived; whether consoled, or whether terrified: according as unto each one there is to be either a showing of mercy, or a taking of vengeance, by Him to Whom, not without a meaning, the Church doth sing "of mercy and of judgment." …
St. Augustine—On Care to Be Had for the Dead. The Credibility of Scripture Sufficiently Proved in So Far as Natural Reason Admits.
1. Secondary helps to establish the credibility of Scripture. I. The arrangement of the sacred volume. II. Its dignity. III. Its truth. IV. Its simplicity. V. Its efficacy. 2. The majesty conspicuous in the writings of the Prophets. 3. Special proofs from the Old Testament. I. The antiquity of the Books of Moses. 4. This antiquity contrasted with the dreams of the Egyptians. II. The majesty of the Books of Moses. 5. The miracles and prophecies of Moses. A profane objection refuted. 6. Another profane …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Authorship of the Pentateuch.
The term Pentateuch is composed of the two Greek words, pente, five, and teuchos, which in later Alexandrine usage signified book. It denotes, therefore, the collection of five books; or, the five books of the law considered as a whole. 1. In our inquiries respecting the authorship of the Pentateuch, we begin with the undisputed fact that it existed in its present form in the days of Christ and his apostles, and had so existed from the time of Ezra. When the translators of the Greek version, …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Synagogues: their Origin, Structure and Outward Arrangements
It was a beautiful saying of Rabbi Jochanan (Jer. Ber. v. 1), that he who prays in his house surrounds and fortifies it, so to speak, with a wall of iron. Nevertheless, it seems immediately contradicted by what follows. For it is explained that this only holds good where a man is alone, but that where there is a community prayer should be offered in the synagogue. We can readily understand how, after the destruction of the Temple, and the cessation of its symbolical worship, the excessive value attached …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his Adherents, in this Respect, in Tyrannically Oppressing and Destroying Souls.
1. The power of the Church in enacting laws. This made a source of human traditions. Impiety of these traditions. 2. Many of the Papistical traditions not only difficult, but impossible to be observed. 3. That the question may be more conveniently explained, nature of conscience must be defined. 4. Definition of conscience explained. Examples in illustration of the definition. 5. Paul's doctrine of submission to magistrates for conscience sake, gives no countenance to the Popish doctrine of the obligation …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Of the Effects of those Prerogatives.
From these prerogatives there will arise to the elect in heaven, five notable effects:-- 1. They shall know God with a perfect knowledge (1 Cor. i. 10), so far as creatures can possibly comprehend the Creator. For there we shall see the Word, the Creator; and in the Word, all creatures that by the Word were created; so that we shall not need to learn (of the things which were made) the knowledge of him by whom all things were made. The most excellent creatures in this life, are but as a dark veil …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Meditations for one that is Like to Die.
If thy sickness be like to increase unto death, then meditate on three things:--First, How graciously God dealeth with thee. Secondly, From what evils death will free thee. Thirdly, What good death will bring unto thee. The first sort of Meditations are, to consider God's favourable dealing with thee. 1. Meditate that God uses this chastisement of thy body but as a medicine to cure thy soul, by drawing thee, who art sick in sin, to come by repentance unto Christ, thy physician, to have thy soul healed …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Kings 22:14 NIV2 Kings 22:14 NLT2 Kings 22:14 ESV2 Kings 22:14 NASB2 Kings 22:14 KJV
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