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New Defender's Study Bible Notes
22:1 Josiah. The last godly king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity was prophetically named about three hundred years before he was born (I Kings 13:1-2).
22:2 that which was right. Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, was the most wicked of all Judah’s king, and his father Amon (who only reigned two years) was no better. However, Manasseh did experience a change of heart while a prisoner in Assyria in his old age (II Chronicles 33:11-19), and it is possible that he took a special interest in the spiritual instruction of his young grandson during those years. Perhaps it was the instruction of faithful priests. Somehow, little Josiah was led to the Lord as a child, and it impacted his entire life.
22:8 Hilkiah the high priest. A seal in a ring containing the name of this same Hilkiah was found in Palestine.
22:8 found the book of the law. The Pentateuch had probably been placed by Moses in the Ark of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 10:5) along with the two tables of the law, and possibly the record of Joshua as well. In any case, one copy of the Pentateuch had apparently been hidden somewhere in the temple by a faithful priest during the time when Manasseh was attempting to destroy the religion of his forefathers. Evidently the sacred writings, still in the ark, had been transferred from the tabernacle to the temple when it was built, and had been kept safe there from the times of Solomon onward to Josiah. Also see note on II Chronicles 34:14.
22:11 heard the words of the book. For the fifty-five years of Manasseh’s evil reign, the Scriptures had been ignored and all but forgotten. Nevertheless, “the Word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword” (Hebrews 4:12). When it is read or heard with a sincere heart, it will change the life, for “by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20).
22:11 rent his clothes. Evidently Josiah had not previously read the inspired words of Moses before this lost copy of the Pentateuch was found hidden in the temple. His wicked grandfather, King Manasseh, had done all he could to stamp out the worship of Jehovah in Israel, no doubt trying to destroy as many copies of the Scriptures as he could find. God has always preserved His Word, however, and some faithful scribe or priest had hidden this particular copy somewhere in the temple where it could be preserved until it was finally rediscovered by Hilkiah the high priest when the temple was being renovated at Josiah’s orders. Even though Josiah had not previously seen the Scriptures himself, he had evidently been instructed therein to some degree by faithful priests, so that he had desired while still young to restore the temple and its worship. Undoubtedly other copies of the Scriptures had also been preserved at various locations in Judah. When Josiah saw the book himself, however, and realized that God had kept it safe in the temple all those years, he was profoundly moved, and the great revival under his leadership was the result.
22:14 Huldah the prophetess. Both Jeremiah and Zephaniah began their prophetic ministries during the reign of King Josiah. At this time, however, early in his reign, the only true prophet available in Jerusalem was actually a prophetess. She did, however, have an authentic word for Josiah from the Lord.
22:20 thy grave in peace. Huldah was referring to peace of soul, not political peace. Josiah actually died in battle (II Kings 23:29).