2 Kings 22 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study
2 Kings 22 Short Summary:
2 Kings 22 begins with Josiah becoming king of Judah at just 8 years old. In Josiah’s 18th year as king, he determined to renovate the Temple of God in Jerusalem. During the renovation process, Hilkiah found a book containing the laws God had given to Moses. Josiah was distraught over the people of Judah’s neglect for the law. He sent servants to the Huldah, the prophetess, to hear a word from the Lord. Huldah told Josiah that God would punish Judah, but He would delay the punishment until after Josiah’s death.
2 Kings 22 Extended Summary
WHEN:
The reign of King Josiah in Judah likely fits between 640-608 B.C.
CHARACTERS:
Josiah – The son of Amon. He became king of Judah after Amon his father. He became king at just 8 years old.
Hilkiah – The High Priest in Judah who found the book of God’s laws in the Temple.
Huldah – A prophetess who lived in Jerusalem.
WHERE:
As the capital of Judah, Jerusalem is the central point of 2 Kings 22.
OUTLINE:
JOSIAH BECOMES KING OF JUDAH (22:1-2):
Josiah became king of Judah when he was 8 years old and reigned 31 years.
He “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”
JOSIAH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE AND FINDS THE BOOK OF THE LAW (22:3-11):
In Josiah’s 18th year, he determined to renovate the Temple in Jerusalem.
He instructed Hilkiah, the High Priest, to count the money the people had contributed to the Temple and use it to pay laborers and buy necessary supplies.
Hilkiah found a book containing the laws of God (the laws God gave to Moses) in the Temple.
He gave it to Shaphan, the secretary, who read it to King Josiah.
Josiah tore his clothes when he realized just how badly the people of Judah had neglected God’s commands.
HULDAH THE PROPHETESS AND THE FATE OF JUDAH (22:12-20):
Josiah wanted to hear from God, so he sent Hilkiah and two other men, to inquire of the Lord.
They visited Huldah, the prophetess, and asked her what message God had for Judah.
She told them God had decreed disaster for Judah because they failed to keep His commands, worshipped idols, and practiced wickedness.
God’s wrath was kindled, and He would not quench it (22:17).
But God appreciated Josiah’s humble heart and his respect for the law, so God promised him the punishment of Judah would not happen during his days.
God would punish Judah after Josiah’s death.
Josiah’s messengers took Huldah’s message and reported it to the king.
APPLICATION:
God’s judgement will fall on those who know God’s word and willfully neglect it.
God’s judgements will also fall on those who are ignorant of God’s commands.
It’s hard to believe the people of Judah lost the most important book in the country.
But is your copy of God’s word lost? I don’t mean literally, but is it practically lost? Does it ever get opened? Does it ever get read? Does it collect dust on a bookshelf? Would your life be impacted in any way if it was actually lost?
Many people go through their lives like the people of Judah. Their copy of God’s word is collecting dust, and they aren’t in a hurry to find it.
You can’t fix every household, but you can be a Hilkiah for your family, be the one who dusts off the Scriptures and makes sure your family knows the words of the Lord.
