Josiah Reigns in Judah
(2 Kings 22:1–2)

1Josiah (whom YHWH heals) was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem (city of peace) thirty-one years. 2And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD {YHWH} and walked in the ways of his father David (beloved); he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.

Josiah Destroys Idolatry
(1 Kings 13:1–10; 2 Kings 23:4–20)

3In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God {Elohe} of his father David (beloved), and in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace) of the high places, the Asherah poles (goddess), the carved idols, and the cast images. 4Then in his presence the altars of the Baals (lord) were torn down, and he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them. He shattered the Asherah poles (goddess), the carved idols, and the cast images, crushed them to dust, and scattered them over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. 5Then he burned the bones of the priests on their altars. So he cleansed Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace).

6Josiah did the same in the cities of Manasseh (causing to forget), Ephraim (doubly fruitful), and Simeon (heard), as far as Naphtali (wrestling), and in the ruins (in the regions)a around them. 7He tore down the altars and Asherah poles (goddess), crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel (he wrestles with God). Then he returned to Jerusalem (city of peace).

Josiah Repairs the Temple
(2 Kings 22:3–7)

8Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, in order to cleanse the land and the temple, Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah (YHWH has set apart), Maaseiah (work of YHWH) the governor of the city, and Joah (YHWH is brother) son of Joahaz (YHWH has grasped), the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God {YHWH Elohaw}.

9So they went to Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) the high priest and gave him the money that had been brought into the house of God {Elohim}, which the Levites who guarded the doors had collected from the people of Manasseh (causing to forget) and Ephraim (doubly fruitful), from all the remnant of Israel (he wrestles with God), from all Judah (praised) and Benjamin (son of the right hand), and from the people of Jerusalem (city of peace). 10They put it into the hands of those supervising the work in the house of the LORD {YHWH}, who in turn gave it to the workmen restoring and repairing the house of the LORD. 11They also gave money to the carpenters and builders to buy dressed stone, as well as timbers for couplings and beams for the buildings that the kings of Judah (praised) had allowed to deteriorate.

12And the men did the work faithfully. The Levites overseeing them were Jahath (He will snatch up) and Obadiah (servant of YHWH), descendants of Merari (bitter), and Zechariah (YHWH remembers) and Meshullam (friend), descendants of Kohath. Other Levites, all skilled with musical instruments, 13were over the laborers and supervised all who did the work, task by task. Some of the Levites were secretaries, officers, and gatekeepers.

Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law
(2 Kings 22:8–13)

14While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the LORD {YHWH}, Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by \the Law of the LORD by the hand of/b Moses (drawn out). 15And Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD {YHWH}!” And he gave it to Shaphan.

16Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. 17They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD {YHWH} and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.”

18Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.

19When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes 20and commanded Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH), Ahikam (my brother has arisen) son of Shaphan, Abdon (Achbor)c son of Micah (Micaiah),d Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah (made by YHWH) the servant of the king: 21“Go and inquire of the LORD {YHWH} for me and for those remaining in Israel (he wrestles with God) and Judah (praised) 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.”

Huldah’s Prophecy
(2 Kings 22:14–20)

22So Hilkiah (my portion is YHWH) and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah [and those the king had told went to Huldah]e the prophetess, the wife of Shallum (retribution) son of Tokhath (Tikvah),f the son of Hasrah (Harhas),g the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem (city of peace), in the Second District (the Second Quarter).h

23And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God {YHWH Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘Tell the man who sent you⁺ 24that this is what the LORD {YHWH} 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 (praised), 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 (praised), who sent you⁺ to inquire of the LORD {YHWH}, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God {Elohe} of Israel (he wrestles with God), says: ‘As for the words that you heard, 27because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God {Elohim} 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 {YHWH}.

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.

Josiah Renews the Covenant
(2 Kings 23:1–3)

29Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace). 30And he went up to the house of the LORD {YHWH} with all the people of Judah (praised) and Jerusalem (city of peace), 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 {YHWH} 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 (city of peace) and Benjamin (son of the right hand) take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God {Elohim}, the God of their fathers.

33And Josiah (whom YHWH heals) removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites (God prevails), and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God {YHWH Elohehem}. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.