11 When the king heard the words of the book of the law , he tore his clothes . 12 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest , Ahikam the son of Shaphan , Achbor the son of Micaiah , Shaphan the scribe , and Asaiah the king's servant saying , 13 "Go , inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found , for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because e our fathers have not listened to the words of this book , to do according to all that is written concerning us." 14 So Hilkiah the priest , Ahikam , Achbor , Shaphan , and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess , the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah , the son of Harhas , keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter); and they spoke to her. 15 She said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel , 'Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 thus says the Lord , "Behold , I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants , even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read . 17 " Because e they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands , therefore My wrath burns against this place , and it shall not be quenched ."' 18 "But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord thus shall you say to him, 'Thus says the Lord God of Israel , "Regarding the words which you have heard , 19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before e the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse , and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you," declares the Lord . 20 "Therefore , behold , I will gather you to your fathers , and you will be gathered to your grave in peace , and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place .""' So they brought back word to the king .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Kings 22:11-20
Commentary on 2 Kings 22:11-20
(Read 2 Kings 22:11-20)
The book of the law is read before the king. Those best honour their Bibles, who study them; daily feed on that bread, and walk by that light. Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this inquiry, What shall we do to be saved? Also, what we may expect, and must provide for. Those who are truly apprehensive of the weight of God's wrath, cannot but be very anxious how they may be saved. Huldah let Josiah know what judgments God had in store for Judah and Jerusalem. The generality of the people were hardened, and their hearts unhumbled, but Josiah's heart was tender. This is tenderness of heart, and thus he humbled himself before the Lord. Those who most fear God's wrath, are least likely to feel it. Though Josiah was mortally wounded in battle, yet he died in peace with God, and went to glory. Whatever such persons suffer or witness, they are gathered to the grave in peace, and shall enter into the rest which remaineth for the people of God.