2 Kings 22

2 Kings 22:1

eight years. Manasseh began at twelve, bred under godly Hezekiah. Josiah began at eight, bred by ungodly Amon. Contrast the two characters.

Boscath. In Judah. Compare Joshua 15:39.

2 Kings 22:2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

turned not aside. Josiah is the only king of whom this is said.

2 Kings 22:3

the eighteenth year. Marks the completion of the work (2 Kings 23:23). Begun in the twelfth year (2 Chronicles 34:3, 2 Chronicles 34:8). Jeremiah was called in Josiah’s thirteenth year (Jeremiah 1:2; Jeremiah 25:3), and was to Josiah what Isaiah had been to Hezekiah.

Shaphan. Eight relatives mentioned in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles:

(1) His grandfather, Meshullam (2 Kings 22:3);

(2) his father, Azaliah (2 Kings 22:3);

(3) his son, Ahikam (2 Kings 22:12);

(4) his son, Gemariah (Jeremiah 36:10);

(5) his son, Elasah (Jeremiah 29:3);

(6) his son, Jaazaniah (Ezekiel 8:11);

(7) his grandson, Michaiah (Jeremiah 36:11, Jeremiah 36:13);

(8) his grandson, Gedaliah (Jeremiah 39:43).

2 Kings 22:4

Hilkiah. The son of Shallum and father of Azariah (1 Chronicles 6:13). sum = pour out, or pay away.

2 Kings 22:5

of the doers. These were the overseers. to the doers. These were the labourers.

2 Kings 22:6

the house. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Septuagint, read “the breaches of the house”, as in 2 Kings 22:5.

2 Kings 22:8

the book of the law. i.e. the original copy of the Pentateuch, laid up by the side of the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). Probably secreted during the reigns of Manasseh (2 Kings 21:16) and Amon (2 Kings 21:21). See App-47.

2 Kings 22:10

read it. Especially those parts applicable to the then circumstances, such as Leviticus 26. Deuteronomy 28. &c.

2 Kings 22:11

he rent his clothes. Not necessarily on account of his surprise, but on account of the solemnity of the words.

2 Kings 22:12

Ahikara. The friend of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24) and father of Gedaliah (Compare 2 Kings 25:22. Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 40:5). See note on “Shaphan” (2 Kings 22:3).

Achbor. Not the same person as Abdon, in 2 Chronicles 34:20.

2 Kings 22:13

and for all Judah. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read “and for the remnant in Israel and in Judah”. Compare 2 Chronicles 34:21. 2 Chronicles 6:4); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14); Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3); Anna (Luke 2:36); and Philip’s daughters (Acts 21:9).

the wife. Compare the usage (Judges 4:4). The employment of a woman as prophet shows the degeneracy of the times, deplored by Isaiah (2 Kings 9:15), denounced by Jeremiah (2 Kings 5:7, 2 Kings 5:8; 2 Kings 14:14; 2 Kings 23:14-30; 2 Kings 37:19. Lamentations 2:14), and by Ezekiel (2 Kings 13:2-23). Inferred also from Huldah’s words (verses: 2 Kings 22:15-18), and Jeremiah 5:31.

wardrobe: i.e. vestry, or vestments.

now. Note the Figure of speech Parenthesis.

in the college. Hebrew in the second. Some supply “part”, or “city”. Probably = “second gate [of the city]”. Compare 2 Chronicles 34:22 and Zephaniah 1:10,

2 Kings 22:16

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

evil. Hebrew. ra’a’. App-44.

2 Kings 22:17

forsaken Me. Huldah adopts the words of Deu 29:25-27.

2 Kings 22:18

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

As touching. No Ellipsis here, but at end of verse. See below.

heard, or hearkened to. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus: “Thus saith Jehovah Elohim: the words which thou hast hearkened to [shall surely come to pass]. In that thine heart was tender . . . I also have heard thee”.

2 Kings 22:19

Because = In that.

a desolation and a curse. These words are from Deuteronomy 11:26; Deuteronomy 28:15-19; Deuteronomy 29:19; Deuteronomy 30:1. Compare Jeremiah 44:22.

2 Kings 22:20

gathered. See note on Genesis 49:33.

thy grave. Hebrew. keber (not Sheol). in 2 Kings 21:26 rendered sepulchre.

in peace. Josiah died in war (2 Kings 23:29); but why not “in peace” of mind and heart as well? Compare Isaiah 57:2,