2 Chronicles 34:20 kjv
And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,
2 Chronicles 34:20 nkjv
Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying,
2 Chronicles 34:20 niv
He gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king's attendant:
2 Chronicles 34:20 esv
And the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying,
2 Chronicles 34:20 nlt
Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king's personal adviser:
2 Chronicles 34 20 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Chr 34:19 | And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. | Josiah's repentance upon hearing the Law. |
| 2 Ki 22:12 | And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan... and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, | Parallel account of Josiah's command. |
| Deu 31:10-12 | "At the end of every seven years, at the set time... you shall read this law before all Israel..." | Requirement for public reading of the Law. |
| Exo 24:7 | Then he took the Book of the Covenant and read it in the hearing of the people. | Reading of the Law establishes covenant. |
| Lev 26:14-39 | "But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments... " | Curses for disobeying God's Law. |
| Deu 28:15-68 | "But if you do not obey the LORD your God... then all these curses shall come upon you..." | Comprehensive list of curses for disobedience. |
| Ps 19:7-11 | The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul... | Excellency and power of God's Law. |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's Word as guidance and illumination. |
| Prov 2:1-6 | If you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding... | Seeking wisdom and understanding from God. |
| Jer 26:24 | But the hand of Ahikam the son of Shaphan was with Jeremiah, so that he was not given into the hand of the people to put him to death. | Ahikam's loyalty and protection for Jeremiah. |
| 2 Chr 34:21 | Go, inquire of the LORD for me and for them that are left in Israel... for great is the wrath of the LORD. | Josiah's specific command for inquiry. |
| 2 Ki 22:13 | Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found. | Parallel command for inquiry about the Book. |
| Ezr 7:6 | this Ezra came up from Babylon, a scribe skilled in the Law of Moses. | Importance of scribes in handling the Law. |
| Neh 8:8 | They read from the Book of the Law of God, making it clear and giving the meaning... | Importance of interpreting the Law for the people. |
| Jos 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night... | Continual study and obedience to the Law. |
| 1 Sa 9:9 | (Formerly in Israel, when a man went to inquire of God, he would say, "Come, let us go to the seer,"...) | Seeking God through a prophet/seer. |
| 2 Sa 2:1 | After this David inquired of the LORD, "Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah?" And the LORD said to him, "Go up." | King seeking divine guidance before action. |
| Ps 25:4-5 | Show me your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth... | Desire to be guided by God's truth. |
| Jn 5:39 | You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, | Importance of searching Scriptures for life. |
| Rom 3:20 | For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. | Law reveals sin and God's standard. |
| Rom 7:7 | ...I would not have known sin except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet." | Law as revealing sin. |
| Jas 1:22-25 | But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. | Call to action and obedience based on God's word. |
2 Chronicles 34 verses
2 Chronicles 34 20 Meaning
This verse records King Josiah's immediate action after hearing the words of the Book of the Law. Overwhelmed by the discovered divine commands and the potential wrath of God, he gathers a select group of high-ranking officials and priests, commissioning them to seek God's will and inquire concerning the newly revealed Law. It initiates a crucial inquiry into the implications of Judah's long-standing disobedience.
2 Chronicles 34 20 Context
This verse is pivotal, serving as the immediate response to the discovery and reading of the Book of the Law within the Temple (2 Chr 34:14-18). King Josiah, recognizing the vast deviation of his kingdom from God's commands and understanding the severity of God's promised judgment, tears his clothes in genuine repentance (2 Chr 34:19). This action signifies deep contrition and fear before the Lord. Historically, Judah had succumbed to generations of idolatry and neglect of God's covenant, reaching a spiritual low under Josiah's grandfather, Manasseh. The rediscovery of the Law exposed the depth of their national apostasy, compelling Josiah, a king with a sincere heart for the Lord, to seek immediate divine counsel. The verse initiates this process, establishing the key figures entrusted with seeking God's prophetic word regarding the impending doom and how to avert or mitigate it. It highlights Josiah's humility and proactive commitment to divine restoration.
2 Chronicles 34 20 Word Analysis
- And the king commanded: "King" here is Josiah, whose deep piety and commitment to reform are a defining feature of his reign (2 Chr 34:2). His "command" (וַיְצַו, way-ṣaw, from צָוָה, tsavah) highlights his divinely appointed authority as Israel's ruler and his active role in spiritual restoration. This wasn't merely a suggestion but a directive, demonstrating his earnestness.
- Hilkiah: (חִלְקִיָּהוּ, Ḥilqiyyahu, "my portion is Yahweh"). The high priest (2 Chr 34:9), a pivotal figure who discovered the Book of the Law in the Temple (2 Chr 34:14). His name reflects a deep faith in Yahweh. As high priest, he held the authority to mediate between God and the people, and to consult the divine. He represents the religious authority.
- Ahikam the son of Shaphan: (אֲחִיקָם בֶּן-שָׁפָן, 'Aḥiqam ben-Shafan, "my brother has arisen, son of rock badger"). An influential royal official. His father, Shaphan, was a trusted scribe. Ahikam's lineage highlights a family holding positions of power and trust within Josiah's court. He is later noted for protecting Jeremiah (Jer 26:24), indicating his personal character and ongoing faithfulness to God's prophets.
- Abdon the son of Micah: (עַבְדּוֹן בֶּן-מִיכָיָהוּ, 'Avdon ben-Mikhayahu, "service/servant of, son of who is like Yah"). In the parallel account (2 Ki 22:12), he is called "Achbor the son of Micaiah." These variations (Abdon/Achbor, Micah/Micaiah) are minor and common in ancient texts, reflecting textual transmission or alternative spellings for the same individual. He was another royal official, part of Josiah's trusted inner circle.
- Shaphan the scribe: (שָׁפָן הַסּוֹפֵר, Shafan ha-Sopher, "rock badger, the scribe"). A prominent and highly trusted scribe (secretary) in Josiah's administration. He was the one who first received the rediscovered Law from Hilkiah and read it to the king (2 Chr 34:16-18). His role as "the scribe" (סוֹפֵר, sopher) was not just a copyist but a learned royal administrator, likely functioning as a state secretary or archivist, crucial in state affairs and the management of documents like the Book of the Law.
- and Asaiah the king’s servant: (וַעֲשָׂיָה אֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ, va'Asayah 'Eved ha-Melekh, "Yahweh has made, servant of the king"). A high-ranking royal official, likely a court minister or personal attendant of the king, who held significant administrative influence. The title "king's servant" (עֶבֶד הַמֶּלֶךְ, eved ha-melekh) implies a position of great trust and responsibility within the royal administration.
- saying: (לֵאמֹר, le'mor, "to say, saying"). This phrase indicates that the specific instructions or message from the king will follow. It introduces Josiah's direct command for these chosen officials to go and inquire of the Lord, highlighting the gravity and directness of the royal decree.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "And the king commanded Hilkiah... and Asaiah the king's servant": This phrase highlights Josiah's discerning leadership. He carefully selected individuals from different vital areas of the kingdom – priesthood (Hilkiah), royal administration/court officials (Ahikam, Abdon, Asaiah), and intellectual/administrative bureaucracy (Shaphan the scribe). This assembled group represents the highest echelons of both spiritual and political authority, demonstrating the gravity of the mission to inquire of the Lord. It signifies a collective responsibility in seeking divine guidance, involving those directly involved with the discovery of the Law and trusted by the king.
2 Chronicles 34 20 Bonus section
- Complementary roles: This assembly of individuals highlights the necessary partnership between spiritual leadership (Hilkiah) and governmental/administrative authority (Shaphan and other officials) in discerning and implementing God's will for a nation.
- Trust and character: The specific individuals named were not just random appointees but men who had proven their reliability and perhaps their own inclination towards righteousness, particularly in Shaphan and Hilkiah's involvement with the Law's discovery. Their inclusion underscored the seriousness of Josiah's commitment to truly understanding and addressing God's anger.
- Immediate Action: Josiah's swift response, following his humble tearing of clothes, demonstrates a leadership paradigm that emphasizes repentance followed immediately by practical, proactive steps to align with divine truth, rather than just emotional expression.
- No Urim and Thummim mentioned: While the High Priest was present, the typical priestly method of inquiring through the Urim and Thummim (if still practiced or available) is not mentioned. Instead, they were instructed to go to a prophetess (Huldah), indicating that in certain dire situations, direct prophetic utterance was sought, or perhaps that prophetic inquiry was deemed more comprehensive for this specific national crisis.
2 Chronicles 34 20 Commentary
2 Chronicles 34:20 marks a critical juncture in Josiah's reign, demonstrating his humble, immediate, and resolute response to the profound implications of God's discovered Law. After witnessing Josiah's deep contrition in tearing his robes, this verse reveals his practical action. He did not dismiss the Law or procrastinate, but rather assembled his most trusted and influential leaders: the High Priest (Hilkiah), the Royal Scribe (Shaphan), and key officials from prominent families (Ahikam, Abdon, Asaiah). This diversified selection underlines the holistic nature of the inquiry—it was not just a religious matter but one that touched every facet of the kingdom's governance and its relationship with God. Josiah's command to "go, inquire of the Lord" (as specified in the next verse) shows his absolute dependence on divine guidance when confronted with the immense gap between the nation's practices and God's revealed standards. This verse exemplifies righteous leadership, actively seeking God's will through appropriate channels and in consultation with wise counsel, setting the stage for national repentance and reformation.