2 Chronicles 34 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Chronicles 34 Short Summary:
In 2 Chronicles 34, Josiah’s men find the Book of the Law during a restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem. The words of the books strike fear into the people of Judah because they realize they haven’t been following God’s instructions. God warns the nation they will be punished for the neglect of His laws, but He delays the punishment until after the death of godly king Josiah.
2 Chronicles 34 Extended Summary
WHEN:
Josiah reigned in Judah for 31 years. Estimated dates for his reign are 640-609 B.C.
KEY CHARACTERS:
Josiah – The son of Amon and the next king of Judah.
Hilkiah – The High Priest who assisted Josiah with the repair of the Temple.
Shaphan – Josiah’s secretary who read him the Book of God’s Law.
Huldah – A prophetess who lived in Jerusalem.
WHERE:
Jerusalem – The capital of the Kingdom of Judah and the location of God’s Temple.
Judah and the Remnant of Israel – Josiah purged Judah of idolatry. His reforms even extended north, to what remained of the tribes of Israel. Remember, the northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed and taken captive by the Assyrians in 721 B.C. (about 100 years before Josiah).
OUTLINE:
JOSIAH BECOMES KING OF JUDAH (34:1-7):
Josiah was eight years old when he took the throne and ruled 31 years.
“He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left” (34:2).
While a teenager, he “began to seek the Lord,” and he started purging Judah of idols and destroying the altars to false gods.
He did this, not only in Judah, but in cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon, and Naphtali.
THE BOOK OF THE LAW IS REDISCOVERED (34:8-21):
In the 18th year of Josiah’s reign, he determined to restore the Temple in Jerusalem.
Josiah’s men gave money to the High Priest, Hilkiah, who used it to pay workmen to start repairing the Lord’s house.
As the men were working, Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. This book contained a record of the laws God gave to Moses. It was God’s spiritual and civil law for His people. But His people had been so wicked in the past that they hadn’t even bothered to keep track of the book.
Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the secretary, who took it and read it to the King Josiah.
After hearing the words, the king tore his clothes. It seems it was a revelation to him to realize just how badly the people of Israel and Judah had failed to keep God’s instruction.
Josiah feared God would keep the promises He made in the Book of the Law and punish His people.
HULDAH PROPHESIES THE FATE OF JUDAH (34:22-33):
Josiah sent Hilkiah and some of his servants to talk to Huldah the prophetess.
She told Josiah’s men that God was indeed angry with Judah and would punish them.
Their love for idols and immorality would bring about the curses found in the Book of the Law. But, since Josiah loved God, God would delay the punishment until after his reign.
THE BOOK OF THE LAW IS TAUGHT TO THE PEOPLE OF JUDAH (34:30-33):
Josiah gathered the men of Judah in Jerusalem and taught them the Book of the Law.
The people made a promise to try to follow all of God’s commands.
APPLICATION:
Josiah was shocked to discover what was written in the Book of the Law, and he seemed unaware of just how poorly the law was being kept by his people.
He didn’t know about God’s anger because the people who came before him didn’t care to locate the book, much less read it.
Unfortunately, there will be people who find themselves equally as shocked on the Judgement Day to learn about the commands of God.
This will be because they never bothered to try to find God’s instructions during their life.
The way to avoid that shock and to avoid the anger of God is to seek out His revelation, His words, which we believe are found in the Bible.
If we know His words, we can direct our lives accordingly. If we never bother locating His book, we’re going to end up in trouble.
