2 Kings 22:13 kjv
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: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
2 Kings 22:13 nkjv
"Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
2 Kings 22:13 niv
"Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD's anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us."
2 Kings 22:13 esv
"Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us."
2 Kings 22:13 nlt
"Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the words written in this scroll that has been found. For the LORD's great anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do."
2 Kings 22 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text (shortened) | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking God's Will/Guidance | ||
| 2 Kgs 22:18-19 | Because your heart was tender... humbled yourself before the Lord... I have heard you... | Josiah's personal humility leads to a response |
| 1 Sam 28:6 | When Saul inquired of the Lord, the Lord did not answer him... | Importance of God's response to inquiry |
| Isa 55:6 | Seek the Lord while he may be found; call upon him while he is near. | Call to immediate seeking of God |
| Jer 29:13 | You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. | Promise to those who seek God wholeheartedly |
| Jas 4:8 | Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. | Principle of reciprocal drawing near |
| The Book of the Law & Its Authority | ||
| 2 Kgs 23:2 | The king went up to the house of the Lord... and he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant... | Public reading emphasizes the Law's authority |
| Deut 17:18-20 | [Kings] shall write for himself a copy... all the words of this law and these statutes... | Law's role in guiding leadership |
| Josh 1:8 | This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth... for then you will make your way prosperous... | Blessing upon meditating and obeying the Law |
| Ps 119:105 | Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. | God's word guides the way |
| 2 Tim 3:16 | All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. | Divine origin and purpose of Scripture |
| Wrath of the Lord/Divine Judgment | ||
| Deut 28:15-68 | [Curses] But if you will not obey the voice of the Lord your God... | Comprehensive list of covenant curses |
| Lev 26:14-39 | But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments... | Covenant curses for disobedience |
| 2 Chr 34:25 | Because they have forsaken me... my wrath will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched. | Huldah's prophecy echoing Josiah's fear |
| Rom 1:18 | For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness... | God's enduring wrath against sin |
| Eph 5:6 | Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. | Warning against complacency in disobedience |
| Disobedience & Corporate Guilt | ||
| Neh 9:30-31 | Many years you bore with them and warned them by your Spirit through your prophets... yet they would not give ear... | God's long-suffering despite persistent sin |
| Dan 9:5-8 | We have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly... For we have sinned against you. | Confession of corporate and individual sin |
| Jer 31:29-30 | In those days they shall no longer say: “The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.” | Future individual responsibility under new covenant |
| Ezek 18:2-4 | What do you mean by repeating this proverb... “The fathers eat sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge”? | God challenges the concept of inherited guilt |
| 1 Jn 1:9 | If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us... | Promise of forgiveness upon confession |
2 Kings 22 verses
2 Kings 22 13 Meaning
King Josiah, upon hearing the words of the newly discovered Book of the Law, expresses deep conviction of Judah's widespread disobedience and the imminent divine judgment. He instructs his officials to "inquire of the Lord" for himself, the people, and all of Judah regarding the stipulations of this book. His profound fear stems from the realization that previous generations failed to obey these commands, resulting in God's immense wrath being poured out upon them, fulfilling the curses written therein. This verse signifies a moment of spiritual awakening and urgent seeking of divine counsel concerning the nation's spiritual standing and future.
2 Kings 22 13 Context
Chapter 22 of 2 Kings opens with Josiah's reign at the age of eight. Unlike his wicked father Amon and grandfather Manasseh, Josiah "did what was right in the eyes of the Lord" (2 Kgs 22:2). In the eighteenth year of his reign, he initiated extensive repairs on the Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair and defilement during the idolatrous reigns of his predecessors. During these renovations, Hilkiah the high priest "found the Book of the Law" (2 Kgs 22:8), likely the foundational covenant document, very probably the book of Deuteronomy, that defined Israel's relationship with Yahweh. When the book was read before King Josiah, he was immediately overwhelmed by the words of the Law, particularly the warnings and curses, and "tore his clothes" (2 Kgs 22:11) as an expression of profound sorrow, remorse, and fear concerning the nation's deviation from God's commands. Verse 13 is his urgent and contrite response, instructing his trusted officials to seek divine counsel to understand the full implications of what has been discovered and how to avert the stated divine judgment.
2 Kings 22 13 Word analysis
- Go, inquire: The Hebrew verb is darash (דָּרַשׁ), meaning to seek, search for, consult, or investigate. It conveys a deep, urgent quest for knowledge or guidance, often in a spiritual or judicial context. Here, it signifies Josiah's earnest desire to understand God's will and ascertain the gravity of Judah's situation from the Lord Himself, not just the words of the book.
- of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah: This highlights Josiah's role as king, representing himself and the entire nation before God. His personal humility ("for me") is immediately followed by his intercessory responsibility for his subjects. It shows his concern extends beyond himself to the collective spiritual well-being of the whole land.
- concerning the words of this book that has been found: This refers to the "Book of the Law," the Torah. Its discovery during the temple renovation indicates how deeply God's foundational commands had been neglected and perhaps even lost. The "words" (davar) emphasize the specific, authoritative decrees and commands.
- great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out on us: The phrase "wrath of the Lord" (ḥaron ap) signifies God's burning anger and righteous indignation against sin and covenant unfaithfulness. "Poured out" suggests an unstoppable, overwhelming judgment. Josiah recognized the severity of the coming judgment described in the Law, believing it was justly aimed at Judah.
- because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book: This acknowledges a legacy of disobedience, attributing the present national crisis to generations of covenant breaking. It highlights corporate responsibility, where the sins of predecessors accumulate consequences for the present generation.
- to do according to all that is written concerning us: This emphasizes the comprehensiveness of God's commands and the total obedience required. The phrase "concerning us" signifies that the Law was specifically given for their lives, for their nation, and with specific blessings and curses attached to their obedience or disobedience.
2 Kings 22 13 Bonus section
The specific nature of the "Book of the Law" found by Hilkiah is widely understood to be at least a portion, if not the entirety, of the book of Deuteronomy. This is because Deuteronomy contains extensive covenant stipulations, including a prominent section outlining the severe curses that would befall the nation for disobedience (Deut 28), aligning perfectly with Josiah's distressed reaction in 2 Kings 22. The fact that the book was "found" suggests a prolonged period of national spiritual decline and neglect where the authoritative Word of God had been sidelined and perhaps physically lost within the temple. Josiah's humility in seeking divine counsel through the prophetess Huldah (v.14-20) instead of relying solely on his own interpretation or seeking the more prominent prophet Jeremiah, underscores his genuine submission to God's chosen messenger, regardless of their social standing. This act sets Josiah apart as a king uniquely dedicated to re-establishing faithful worship and obedience based on God's revealed Word.
2 Kings 22 13 Commentary
2 Kings 22:13 captures a pivotal moment of spiritual crisis and humility in Josiah's reign. The king’s immediate, contrite response to the discovered Book of the Law demonstrates a profound fear of God and a sincere recognition of Judah's spiritual failings. His tearing of clothes (v.11) and subsequent command to "inquire of the Lord" underscore the gravity of the national disobedience to the divine covenant. Josiah understands that the historical pattern of disobedience by "our fathers" has amassed such a debt of iniquity that God’s fierce "wrath is poured out," bringing the nation to the brink of catastrophe. This verse powerfully illustrates the conviction that God’s Word is living and active, carrying both the power to condemn when disregarded and the potential for salvation when heeded. Josiah’s proactive seeking of divine counsel, even in the face of daunting revelation, exemplifies genuine repentance and responsible leadership, acknowledging corporate sin and its consequences while still seeking grace.