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 talked with her. She said to them, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, “Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. Because 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 shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’ ” But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh. ‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’ ” ’ ” So they brought this message back to the king.
Parallel Translations
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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 talked with her.
She said to them, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me,
“Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.
Because 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 shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’ ”
But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard,
because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh, when you heard what I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh.
‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’ ” ’ ” So they brought this message back to the king.
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So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
Show all 3 translations
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So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe — now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter — and they spoke with her.
And she said unto them: 'Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: Tell ye the man that sent you unto me:
Thus saith the LORD: Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read;
because they have forsaken Me, and have offered unto other gods, that they might provoke Me with all the work of their hands; therefore My wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it shall not be quenched.
But unto the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him: Thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel: As touching the words which thou hast heard,
because thy heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spoke against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become an astonishment and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me, I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.
Therefore, behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil which I will bring upon this place.' And they brought back word unto the king.
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Contradictions (2)
Questions where the Bible appears to say two different things, with the passages on each side set together.
Cross-references (106)
- Psalms 51:17 (v19) The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.
- 1 Kings 21:29 (v19) “See how Ahab humbles himself before me? Because he humbles himself before me, I will not bring the evil in his days; but I will bring the…
- Exodus 10:3 (v19) Moses and Aaron went in to Pharaoh, and said to him, “This is what Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, says: ‘How long will you refuse to…
- Isaiah 57:15 (v19) For the high and lofty One who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy, says: “I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also who is of a…
- Psalms 37:37 (v20) Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.
Show all 100 cross-references
- 1 Samuel 24:5 (v19) Afterward, David’s heart struck him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt.
- Isaiah 57:1-2 (v20) The righteous perish, and no one lays it to heart. Merciful men are taken away, and no one considers that the righteous is taken away from…
- Micah 6:8 (v19) He has shown you, O man, what is good. What does Yahweh require of you, but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?
- 1 Peter 5:5-6 (v19) Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elder. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another;…
- Isaiah 66:5 (v19) Hear Yahweh’s word, you who tremble at his word: “Your brothers who hate you, who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said, ‘Let Yahweh…
- Jeremiah 44:22 (v19) Thus Yahweh could no longer bear it, because of the evil of your doings, and because of the abominations which you have committed.…
- Luke 19:41 (v19) When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it,
- James 4:6-10 (v19) But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” Be subject therefore to God. Resist the…
- 1 Chronicles 17:11 (v20) It will happen, when your days are fulfilled that you must go to be with your fathers, that I will set up your offspring after you, who…
- 2 Chronicles 33:12 (v19) When he was in distress, he begged Yahweh his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers.
- Isaiah 66:2 (v19) For my hand has made all these things, and so all these things came to be,” says Yahweh: “but I will look to this man, even to he who is…
- Jeremiah 26:6 (v19) then I will make this house like Shiloh, and will make this city a curse to all the nations of the earth.” ’ ”
- Genesis 25:8 (v20) Abraham gave up his spirit, and died at a good old age, an old man, and full of years, and was gathered to his people.
- Leviticus 26:31-32 (v19) I will lay your cities waste, and will bring your sanctuaries to desolation. I will not take delight in the sweet fragrance of your…
- 2 Kings 20:5 (v19) “Turn back, and tell Hezekiah the prince of my people, ‘Yahweh, the God of David your father, says, “I have heard your prayer. I have seen…
- 2 Chronicles 33:19 (v19) His prayer also, and how God was entreated of him, and all his sin and his trespass, and the places in which he built high places, and set…
- Jeremiah 22:15-16 (v20) “Should you reign, because you strive to excel in cedar? Didn’t your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness? Then it was…
- Daniel 9:11-14 (v16) Yes, all Israel have transgressed your law, turning aside, that they should not obey your voice. “Therefore the curse and the oath written…
- Deuteronomy 29:23 (v19) that all of its land is sulfur, salt, and burning, that it is not sown, doesn’t produce, nor does any grass grow in it, like the overthrow…
- Joshua 23:15 (v16) It shall happen that as all the good things have come on you of which Yahweh your God spoke to you, so Yahweh will bring on you all the…
- Judges 2:4-5 (v19) When Yahweh’s angel spoke these words to all the children of Israel, the people lifted up their voice and wept. They called the name of…
- Judges 4:4 (v14) Now Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, judged Israel at that time.
- Judges 20:26 (v19) Then all the children of Israel and all the people went up, and came to Bethel, and wept, and sat there before Yahweh, and fasted that day…
- 2 Kings 1:6 (v15) They said to him, “A man came up to meet us, and said to us, ‘Go, return to the king who sent you, and tell him, “Yahweh says, ‘Is it…
- 2 Kings 1:16 (v15) He said to him, “Yahweh says, ‘Because you have sent messengers to inquire of Baal Zebub, the god of Ekron, is it because there is no God…
- 2 Kings 19:20 (v19) Then Isaiah the son of Amoz sent to Hezekiah, saying, “Yahweh, the God of Israel, says ‘You have prayed to me against Sennacherib king of…
- 2 Kings 21:22 (v17) and he abandoned Yahweh, the God of his fathers, and didn’t walk in the way of Yahweh.
- 2 Kings 22:11 (v19) When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.
- 2 Kings 23:29-30 (v20) In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates; and king Josiah went against him; and…
- 2 Chronicles 33:23 (v19) He didn’t humble himself before Yahweh, as Manasseh his father had humbled himself; but this same Amon trespassed more and more.
- 2 Chronicles 34:22 (v14) So Hilkiah, and they whom the king had commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah,…
- Ezra 10:1 (v19) Now while Ezra prayed and made confession, weeping and casting himself down before God’s house, there was gathered together to him out of…
- Nehemiah 1:4 (v19) When I heard these words, I sat down and wept, and mourned several days; and I fasted and prayed before the God of heaven,
- Jeremiah 22:10 (v20) Don’t weep for the dead. Don’t bemoan him; but weep bitterly for him who goes away, for he will return no more, and not see his native…
- Jeremiah 23:28 (v15) The prophet who has a dream, let him tell a dream; and he who has my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the straw to the…
- Exodus 15:20 (v14) Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a tambourine in her hand; and all the women went out after her with tambourines and with…
- Exodus 32:34 (v17) Now go, lead the people to the place of which I have spoken to you. Behold, my angel shall go before you. Nevertheless, in the day when I…
- Leviticus 26:40-41 (v19) “ ‘If they confess their iniquity and the iniquity of their fathers, in their trespass which they trespassed against me; and also that…
- Numbers 25:6 (v19) Behold, one of the children of Israel came and brought to his brothers a Midianite woman in the sight of Moses, and in the sight of all the…
- Deuteronomy 28:15-68 (v16) But it shall come to pass, if you will not listen to Yahweh your God’s voice, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which…
- Deuteronomy 29:18-23 (v16) lest there should be among you man, woman, family, or tribe whose heart turns away today from Yahweh our God, to go to serve the gods of…
- Deuteronomy 29:24-28 (v17) Even all the nations will say, “Why has Yahweh done this to this land? What does the heat of this great anger mean?” Then men will say,…
- Deuteronomy 29:27 (v16) Therefore Yahweh’s anger burned against this land, to bring on it all the curses that are written in this book.
- Deuteronomy 30:17-18 (v16) But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away and worship other gods, and serve them, I declare to you today that…
- Deuteronomy 31:16 (v20) Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods…
- Deuteronomy 31:16-18 (v16) Yahweh said to Moses, “Behold, you shall sleep with your fathers. This people will rise up and play the prostitute after the strange gods…
- Deuteronomy 32:15-19 (v17) But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked. You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he abandoned God who made him, and…
- Deuteronomy 32:15-26 (v16) But Jeshurun grew fat, and kicked. You have grown fat. You have grown thick. You have become sleek. Then he abandoned God who made him, and…
- Deuteronomy 32:22 (v17) For a fire is kindled in my anger, that burns to the lowest Sheol, devours the earth with its increase, and sets the foundations of the…
- Joshua 23:13 (v16) know for a certainty that Yahweh your God will no longer drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap…
- Judges 2:12-14 (v17) They abandoned Yahweh, the God of their fathers, who brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the…
- Judges 3:7-8 (v17) The children of Israel did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and forgot Yahweh their God, and served the Baals and the Asheroth.…
- Judges 10:6-7 (v17) The children of Israel again did that which was evil in Yahweh’s sight, and served the Baals, the Ashtaroth, the gods of Syria, the gods of…
- Judges 10:10-14 (v17) The children of Israel cried to Yahweh, saying, “We have sinned against you, even because we have forsaken our God, and have served the…
- 1 Kings 9:6-9 (v17) But if you turn away from following me, you or your children, and not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but…
- 2 Kings 10:22 (v14) He said to him who kept the wardrobe, “Bring out robes for all the worshipers of Baal!” So he brought robes out to them.
- 2 Kings 20:17 (v16) ‘Behold, the days come that all that is in your house, and that which your fathers have laid up in store to this day, will be carried to…
- 2 Kings 21:12-13 (v16) therefore Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Behold, I bring such evil on Jerusalem and Judah that whoever hears of it, both his ears will…
- 2 Kings 25:1-4 (v16) In the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth day of the month, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his…
- 2 Chronicles 34:24-25 (v16) “Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place, and on its inhabitants, even all the curses that are written in the book which they…
- 2 Chronicles 34:26-28 (v18) But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, you shall tell him this, ‘Yahweh, the God of Israel says: “About the words…
- 2 Chronicles 34:28 (v20) “Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes won’t see all the evil that I will…
- 2 Chronicles 36:16 (v17) but they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and scoffed at his prophets, until Yahweh’s wrath arose against his people,…
- Ezra 9:3-4 (v19) When I heard this thing, I tore my garment and my robe, and pulled the hair out of my head and of my beard, and sat down confounded. Then…
- Nehemiah 7:72 (v14) That which the rest of the people gave was twenty thousand darics of gold, plus two thousand minas of silver, and sixty-seven priests’…
- Nehemiah 8:9 (v19) Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest and scribe, and the Levites who taught the people, said to all the people, “Today is…
- Nehemiah 9:26-27 (v17) “Nevertheless they were disobedient, and rebelled against you, cast your law behind their back, killed your prophets that testified against…
- Psalms 106:35-42 (v17) but mixed themselves with the nations, and learned their works. They served their idols, which became a snare to them. Yes, they sacrificed…
- Psalms 115:4-8 (v17) Their idols are silver and gold, the work of men’s hands. They have mouths, but they don’t speak. They have eyes, but they don’t see. They…
- Psalms 119:120 (v19) My flesh trembles for fear of you. I am afraid of your judgments.
- Psalms 119:136 (v19) Streams of tears run down my eyes, because they don’t observe your law.
- Isaiah 2:8-9 (v17) Their land also is full of idols. They worship the work of their own hands, that which their own fingers have made. Man is brought low, and…
- Isaiah 3:10 (v18) Tell the righteous “Good!” For they shall eat the fruit of their deeds.
- Isaiah 33:14 (v17) The sinners in Zion are afraid. Trembling has seized the godless ones. Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live…
- Isaiah 44:17-20 (v17) The rest of it he makes into a god, even his engraved image. He bows down to it and worships, and prays to it, and says, “Deliver me; for…
- Isaiah 46:5-8 (v17) “To whom will you compare me, and consider my equal, and compare me, as if we were the same? Some pour out gold from the bag, and weigh…
- Isaiah 46:12 (v19) Listen to me, you stubborn-hearted, who are far from righteousness!
- Jeremiah 2:11-13 (v17) Has a nation changed its gods, which really are no gods? But my people have changed their glory for that which doesn’t profit. “Be…
- Jeremiah 2:27-28 (v17) who tell wood, ‘You are my father,’ and a stone, ‘You have given birth to me,’ for they have turned their back to me, and not their face;…
- Jeremiah 7:20 (v17) Therefore the Lord Yahweh says: “Behold, my anger and my wrath will be poured out on this place, on man, on animal, on the trees of the…
- Jeremiah 9:1 (v19) Oh that my head were waters, and my eyes a spring of tears, that I might weep day and night for the slain of the daughter of my people!
- Jeremiah 13:17 (v19) But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride. My eye will weep bitterly, and run down with tears, because…
- Jeremiah 14:17 (v19) “You shall say this word to them: “ ‘Let my eyes run down with tears night and day, and let them not cease; for the virgin daughter of my…
- Jeremiah 17:27 (v17) But if you will not listen to me to make the Sabbath day holy, and not to bear a burden and enter in at the gates of Jerusalem on the…
- Jeremiah 36:24 (v19) The king and his servants who heard all these words were not afraid, and didn’t tear their garments.
- Jeremiah 36:29-32 (v19) Concerning Jehoiakim king of Judah you shall say, ‘Yahweh says: “You have burned this scroll, saying, “Why have you written therein,…
- Ezekiel 9:4 (v19) Yahweh said to him, “Go through the middle of the city, through the middle of Jerusalem, and set a mark on the foreheads of the men that…
- Ezekiel 20:47-48 (v17) Tell the forest of the South, ‘Hear Yahweh’s word: The Lord Yahweh says, “Behold, I will kindle a fire in you, and it will devour every…
- Micah 5:13 (v17) I will cut off your engraved images and your pillars out from among you; and you shall no more worship the work of your hands.
- Micah 6:4 (v14) For I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage. I sent before you Moses, Aaron, and Miriam.
- Zephaniah 1:10 (v14) In that day, says Yahweh, there will be the noise of a cry from the fish gate, a wailing from the second quarter, and a great crashing from…
- Zephaniah 1:18 (v17) Neither their silver nor their gold will be able to deliver them in the day of Yahweh’s wrath, but the whole land will be devoured by the…
- Malachi 3:16-17 (v18) Then those who feared Yahweh spoke one with another; and Yahweh listened, and heard, and a book of memory was written before him, for those…
- Luke 1:41-56 (v14) When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb; and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. She called out with a…
- Luke 2:36 (v14) There was one Anna, a prophetess, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher (she was of a great age, having lived with a husband seven…
100 distinct cross-references across this passage (106 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv14, 17, 19, 20 Or the house of doctrine, which was near to…
Or the house of doctrine, which was near to the Temple, and where the learned assembled to entreat the Scriptures, and the doctrine of the Prophets.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv14–20 2Ki 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and…
2Ki 22:14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
Ver. 14. Went unto Huldah the prophetess.] Souls have no sexes. They who vilify the female sex, especially with reference to religion, as some Papists have done, {a} may here observe in point of holy prophecy, that male and female are all one in God as in Christ. {Gal 3:28}
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The wife of Shallum.] Who was, say the Rabbis, Jeremiah’s great-uncle, and much honoured in such a wife.
Now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college.] Heb., In the second, in parte secunda ab eo, se., rege, in some part of the king’s palace; and therefore sent to her, as nigh at hand, and of known abilities. The Chaldee hath it, In the house of learning. The Septuagint, In Mishneh, as if it were the name of a certain street in Jerusalem. Others, in repetitionum loco, in the school or college where the law was repeated. The Hebrews call Deuteronomy, Mishneh Torah, the repetition of the law.
{a} Faemellae in Vet. Testamento non habuerunt spem salutis. - Collatores Bavar. Ap. Polyc. Lyser.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv14, 17, 20 Unto Huldah the prophetess; for we read of women…
Unto Huldah the prophetess; for we read of women prophetesses, both in the Old and New Testament; as Miriam, Exo 15:20, Deborah, Jdg 4:4, Hannah, 1Sa 2, Elisabeth, and the blessed Virgin, Lu 1, and Philip’s daughters, Act 21:9.
Quest. But why did he send to this woman, and not rather to Zephaniah, or Jeremiah, who were prophets in Josiah’s days?
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Answ. Either, first, Because the king’s earnest affection in this business required great haste; and she was in Jerusalem, which is therefore noted in the following part of the verse, when Jeremiah might at this time be at Anathoth, or in some more remote part of the kingdom; and the like may be said of Zephaniah, who also might not be a prophet at this time, though he was afterward, in the days of Josiah, which is all that is affirmed of him, Zep 1:1. Or,
2. Because the king or his courtiers had longer and greater experience of the eminency of her prophetical gifts than of Jeremiah’s, who began not to prophesy till the thirteenth year of Josiah, Jer 1:2; and being well assured of her fidelity in delivering the mind and counsel of God to those that inquired of her, they rightly concluded that it was much more considerable what message God sent, than by whom it was conveyed to them. In the college; where the sons of the prophets, or others who devoted themselves to the study of God’s word, used to meet and discourse of the things of God, and receive the instructions of their teachers. Others both ancient and modern render it, in another or the second part, to wit, of the city, i.e. in the suburbs, which also were fortified and walled about by Hezekiah, 2Ch 32:5.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv14–20 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and…
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went down to Huldah the prophetess,.... Such as were Miriam and Deborah; in imitation of those Satan had very early his women prophetesses, the Sibyls, so called from their being the council and oracle of God, and consulted as such on occasion, as Huldah now was; and the first of the Sibyls, according to Suidas (n), was a Chaldean or a Persian; and some say an Hebrew; and Pausanias expressly says (o), that with the Hebrews above Palestine was a woman prophetess, whose name was Sabba, whom some called the Babylonian, others the Egyptian Sibyl. Aelian relates (p) that one of them was a Jewess:
the wife of Shallum, the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; but whether the king's wardrobe in the palace, or the priest's in the temple, is not certain; he is called Hasrah, Ch2 34:22 who is here called Harhas:
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now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college; in the college of the prophets; in the house of instruction, as the Targum; the school where the young prophets were instructed and trained up; though Jarchi observes, that some interpret this "within the two walls"; Jerusalem it seems had three walls, and within the second this woman lived; there were gates in the temple, as he also observes, called the gates of Huldah (q), but whether from her cannot be said: this place of her dwelling seems to be mentioned as a reason why these messengers went to her, because she was near, as well as well known for her prophetic spirit, prudence, and faithfulness, and not to Jeremiah, who in all probability was at Anathoth; and so also is the reason why they went not to Zephaniah, if he as yet had begun to prophesy, because he might be at a distance also: and they communed with her; upon the subject the king sent them about.
(n) In voce (o) Phocica, sive, l. 10. p. 631. (p) Var. Hist. l. 12. c. 35. (q) Misn. Middot, c. 1. sect. 3.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv14, 15, 17, 19, 20 Huldah - The king's earnest affection required great haste;…
Huldah - The king's earnest affection required great haste; and she was in Jerusalem, which is therefore noted in the following part of the verse, when Jeremiah might at this time be at Anathoth, or in some more remote part of the kingdom; and the like may be said of Zephaniah, who also might not be a prophet at this time, though he was afterward, in the days of Josiah. College - Where the sons of the prophets, or others, who devoted themselves to the study of God's word, used to meet and discourse of the things of God, and receive the instructions of their teachers.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv14, 17, 19, 20 Verse 14. Went unto Huldah the prophetess] This is…
Verse 14. Went unto Huldah the prophetess] This is a most singular circumstance: At this time Jeremiah was certainly a prophet in Israel, but it is likely he now dwelt at Anathoth. and could not be readily consulted; Zephaniah also prophesied under this reign, but probably he had not yet begun; Hilkiah was high priest, and the priest's lips should retain knowledge. Shaphan was scribe, and must have been conversant in sacred affairs to have been at all fit for his office; and yet Huldah, a prophetess, of whom we know nothing but by this circumstance, is consulted on the meaning of the book of the law; for the secret of the Lord was neither with Hilkiah the high priest, Shaphan the scribe, nor any other of the servants of the king, or ministers of the temple! We find from this, and we have many facts in all ages to corroborate it, that a pontiff, a pope, a bishop, or a priest, may, in some cases, not possess the true knowledge of God; and that a simple woman, possessing the life of God in her soul, may have more knowledge of the Divine testimonies than many of those whose office it is to explain and enforce them.
On this subject Dr. Priestley in his note makes the following very judicious remark: -
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"It pleased God to distinguish several women with the spirit of prophecy, as well as other great attainments, to show that in his sight, and especially in things of a spiritual nature, there is no essential pre-eminence in the male sex, though in some things the female be subject to the male."
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv14, 15, 17, 19, 20 2Ki 22:14. So Hilkiah the priest, &c., went unto…
2Ki 22:14. So Hilkiah the priest, &c., went unto Huldah the prophetess — This is the only mention we have of this prophetess; and certainly it tends much to her honour that she was consulted on this important occasion, when, it is supposed, that not only Jeremiah, but Zephaniah also, was a prophet in Judah. But Zephaniah, perhaps, might not at that time have commenced a prophet; because, although we are told he prophesied in the days of Josiah, (Zep 1:1,) yet we are nowhere informed in what part of Josiah’s reign he entered on the prophetic office. And Jeremiah might then be absent from Jerusalem, at his house at Anathoth, or some more remote part of the kingdom; so that, considering Josiah’s haste and impatience, there might be no other proper person to apply to than this prophetess. And the king and his ministers, who went to inquire, being well assured of her fidelity in delivering the counsel of God, concluded rightly, that it was much more to be regarded what message God sent, than by whom it was conveyed. — See Poole and Dodd. Now she dwelt in the college — Where the sons of the prophets, and others who devoted themselves to the study of God’s word, used to meet and discourse of the things of God, and receive the instructions of their teachers.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv14, 16, 17, 19, 20 Went unto Huldah - It might have been expected…
Went unto Huldah - It might have been expected that the royal commissioners would have gone to Jeremiah, on whom the prophetic spirit had descended in Josiah’s 13th year Jer 1:2, or five years previous to the finding of the Law. Perhaps he was at some distance from Jerusalem at the time; or his office may not yet have been fully recognized.
The prophetess - Compare the cases of Miriam Exo 15:20; Num 12:2 and Deborah Jdg 4:4.
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Keeper of the wardrobe - literally, “of the robes.” Shallum had the superintendence, either of the vestments of the priests who served in the temple, or of the royal robe-room in which dresses of honor were stored, in case of their being needed for presents (see 2Ki 5:5 note).
In the college - The marginal translation “in the second part” is preferable; and probably refers to the new or outer city - that which had been enclosed by the wall of Manasseh, to the north of the old city 2Ch 33:14.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv14, 20 Holda. She is known only by this honourable embassy.…
Holda. She is known only by this honourable embassy. It is rather wonderful that Jeremias was not consulted, as he had began to prophesy five years before. But he probably resided at Anathoth. Sophonias appeared, perhaps, only towards the end of the reign of Josias. (Calmet) --- The Second, a street, or part of the city so called; in Hebrew, Massem. (Challoner) --- The Septuagint retain this word, (Menochius) or rather, "in Masena;" Hebrew mishne. (Haydock) --- Manasses inclosed Jerusalem with a second wall, (2 Paralipomenon xxxiii. 14.; Calmet) unless this was done by his father, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 5. (Tirinus) --- Here Holda is said to have kept a school. (Calmet) --- Chaldean, "the house of doctrine," a lace next in importance to the temple. (Vatable) --- St. Jerome speaks of this Second, as of a gate, or part of Jerusalem, between the inner and the outer wall. (Contra Pelag, 2 Irad. in 2 Par. and in Sophon. i. 10.) (Menochius)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv14–15 Achbor--or Abdon (Ch2 34:20), a man of influence at…
Achbor--or Abdon (Ch2 34:20), a man of influence at court (Jer 26:22). The occasion was urgent, and therefore they were sent--not to Zephaniah (Zep 1:1), who was perhaps young--nor to Jeremiah, who was probably absent at his house in Anathoth, but to one who was at hand and known for her prophetic gifts--to Huldah, who was probably at this time a widow. Her husband Shallum was grandson of one Harhas, "keeper of the wardrobe." If this means the priestly wardrobe, [Harhas] must have been a Levite. But it probably refers to the royal wardrobe.
she dwelt . . . in the college--rather, "in the Misnah," taking the original word as a proper name, not a school or college, but a particular suburb of Jerusalem. She was held in such veneration that Jewish writers say she and Jehoiada the priest were the only persons not of the house of David (Ch2 24:15-16) who were ever buried in Jerusalem.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20 14. Huldah the prophetess — All we know of…
14. Huldah the prophetess — All we know of this celebrated woman is recorded here and in the parallel history of Chronicles. Even her husband and his ancestors are mentioned nowhere else. But this short narrative has immortalized her name, and her oracle on the occasion has given her a place above many of the prophets of Judah. The loftiness of her position is enhanced by the fact that the high priest and the king’s most honourable ministers seek knowledge at her hand. In the bestowal of the Divine gift of the Spirit Jehovah is no respecter of persons or of sex, yet in the field of prophecy woman has appeared less frequently than man. Only two other women of the Old Testament bear the title of prophetess, Miriam, the sister of Moses and Aaron, (Exo_15:20,) and Deborah, (Jdg_4:4;) but they seem not to have attained the spiritual elevation of Huldah. In the spirit of ecstasy they sang sacred songs, and aroused the people to enthusiasm after signal victories; but they did not prophesy in that loftier sphere of Divine authority which is expressed in “Thus saith Jehovah.” 2Ki_22:15-16.
The wardrobe — Either of the king or of the priests. Compare 2Ki_10:22.
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In the college — This rendering seems to have been taken from the Targum of Jonathan, which reads, house of instruction, and probably originated in the supposition that Huldah had charge of a school of the prophets. The Hebrew is במשׁנה, in the Mishna, and is thus translated as a proper name in the Septuagint; but it means literally, in the second, and is so rendered in Zep_1:10, where it means the second part, or a later addition to the city. Thus the word designates the section or district of Jerusalem in which Huldah lived. This quarter of the city might have been called the second for various reasons now unknown to us. Josephus (Ant., 2Ki_15:11; 2Ki_15:5) speaks of the other city (αλλη πολις) as of a well-known section of Jerusalem.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv14–20 14. Huldah the prophetess] Except Miriam the sister of…
14. Huldah the prophetess] Except Miriam the sister of Moses, who is called ‘a prophetess’ in Exo_15:20, and Deborah (Jdg_6:4) in the days of the judges, Huldah is the only woman spoken of in the Old Testament as endowed with prophetic gifts. For the term ‘prophetess’ as used in Isa_8:3 signifies only ‘a prophet’s wife’. Of Huldah we know only what is told us in this history. She lived in Jerusalem, and her husband, Shallum, was probably a Levite, as he had charge of what must have been the wardrobe for the vestments of the priests. The narrative here shews in what esteem she was held both by king and people, and her language in her answer has quite the prophetic character. She speaks not her own words but the message of the Lord the God of Israel, and even as Isaiah in the case of Hezekiah, she promises to Josiah, in the Lord’s name, that his supplication shall be answered. For ‘wife’ the LXX. has μητέρα, ‘the mother’, of Shallum, but with no warrant from the Hebrew.
Tikvah … Harhas] These names appear in 2Ch_34:22 as Tikvath and Hasrah.
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keeper of the wardrobe] See above on 2Ki_10:22. There seems no doubt that the robes here alluded to are the robes of the priests, which are called by the same Hebrew word (בנדים) in Exo_28:2-4; Exo_29:5 and many subsequent passages of Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.
in the college] R.V. in the second quarter. The Hebrew word ‘Mishneh’ here rendered ‘college’ has always something to do with ‘second’ or ‘double’, and in Zep_1:10 it clearly refers to a part of the city of Jerusalem, and A.V. there translates it by ‘second’ (R.V. second quarter). Probably it was some additional suburban portion of the city, which was known by this name.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv14, 16, 17, 19, 20 (14) Went unto Huldah the prophetess.—Why not to Jeremiah…
(14) Went unto Huldah the prophetess.—Why not to Jeremiah or Zephaniah? Apparently because Huldah “dwelt in Jerusalem,” and they did not, at least at this time. Anathoth in Benjamin was Jeremiah’s town. Huldah, however, must have enjoyed a high reputation, as prophets are mentioned in 2Ki_23:2.
Keeper of the wardrobe.—Either the royal wardrobe or that of the priests in the Temple. (Comp. 2Ki_10:22.) In either case Shallum was a person of consideration, as is further shown by the careful specification of his descent.
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In the college.—This is the rendering of the Targum, as if mishneh (“second”) were equivalent to the later Mishna. The word really means the second part of the city—i.e., the lower city. (See Neh_11:9; Zep_1:10.)
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv14–20 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahi-ham, and Achbor, and…
So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahi-ham, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asa-hiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah. The principal prophets at or very near the time were Jeremiah, whose mission had commenced in Josiah"s thirteenth (Jer_1:2) and Zephaniah, the son of Cushi, whose prophecy appears by internal evidence to have belonged to the earliest part of Josiah"s reign (Pusey, "Minor Prophets," p. 438). It might have been expected that the matter would have been laid before one of these two persons. Possibly, however, neither of them was at Jerusalem. Jeremiah"s early home was Anathoth, and Zephaniah may have finished his course before Josiah"s eighteenth year (see Pusey, l.s.c.). Huldah may thus have been the only possessor of the prophetic gift who was accessible. The son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; literally, keeper of the garments: (2Ki_10:22) In Chronicles the name of the keeper is given as "Hasrah." Now she dwelt at Jerusalem in the college rather, in the lower city. (comp. Zep_1:10 and Neh_11:9; literally, in each place, "the second city and they communed with her; literally, spoke with her; ejlalhsan pron, LXX
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Biblical Illustrator 1887 · Public Domain On v19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled…
2Ki_22:19
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord.
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The tender heart
I. The circumstances in which such a character may be placed and tried.
1. It may often have to contend with great difficulties. Observe the illustration of this in the history before us.
2. It may sometimes be surrounded by external difficulties.
3. A tender heart may sometimes misunderstand, and therefore misinterpret, the follies and frailties of other Christians. There must be the knowledge of evil as well as of good in the Christian as in the common life. Stumbling-blocks will be found, though deeply to be deplored, in every section of the Christian Church.
II. Some of the indications of a tender heart. All life reveals itself. The tiniest herb or flower that drinks the morning dew reveals itself. Life cannot be hid, and that because it is life. Not always in the same manner, but always in some manner; for as external life is full of variety, from the cedar of Lebanon to the hyssop that groweth on the wall, so inward religious life has its manifold phases, full of variety, full of beauty, and all significant of their Divine origin. Let us notice some--
1. There will be thoughtful interest in religious truth. We cannot conceive of the commencement, much less of the continuation, of a religious life in connection with thoughtlessness.
2. There will be practical co-operation in works of religious activity. Religious life has ever holy work to do, as holy words to say. The commencement of this new life starts with the question, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
3. There will be devout interest in religious assemblies. The object of Christian assemblies is one--the worship of God and the edification of the Church. In proportion as our heart is penetrated with the ideas proper to, and regulated by the principles of, the Christian life, there will not only be the desire but the determination to avail ourselves of seasons of religious worship for purposes of spiritual improvement.
4. There will be also personal determination to secure religious progress. First the blade, but afterwards, if the blade is healthy, there will be the ear: lovely is the blade in all its tenderness and vigour, so in its season is the maturing ear, that gives promise of the fully ripened and perfectly developed corn in the ear.
III. The blessedness of having a tender heart. Because,
1. It is the disposition produced by the influences of Gods Spirit. It is God who worketh in us both to will and to do. Every good and perfect gift cometh down from above
2. Because it will prevent great irregularity if not sinfulness of life. Religion subtracts nothing from the real enjoyment of life. The happiest transaction of life is the hour of consecration to God.
3. Because a tender heart is the sure sign of a regenerate one. And whom He did, etc. (Rom_8:29.) (W. G. Barrett.)
Humility the grace of graces
I was always exceedingly pleased with that saying of Chrysostom, says Calvin, The foundation of our philosophy is humility. And yet more pleased with that of Augustine. As, says he, the rhetorican being asked was what the first thing in the rules of eloquence, he answered, Pronunciation. What was the second, Pronunciation. What was the third, still he answered, Pronunciation So if you ask me concerning the graces of the Christian character, I would answer, firstly, secondly, and thirdly, and for ever, humility. And thus it is that God sets open His school for teaching us humility every day. Humility is the grace of graces for us sinners to learn. There is nothing again like it, and we must have a continual training and exercise in it. You learn to pronounce by your clients complaining that they cannot hear you, and that they must carry their cases to another advocate unless you learn to speak better. And, as you must either please your patrons or die of starvation, you put pebbles in your month and you go out to recite by yourself by the riverside till your rhetoric is fit for a Greek judge and jury to sit and hear. And so with humility, which is harder to learn than the best Greek accent. You must go to all the schools, and put yourself under all the disciplines that the great experts practise, if you would put on this humility. And the schools of God to which He puts His great saints are such as these. You will be set second to other men every day. Other men will be put over your head everyday. Rude men will ride roughshod over your head every day. God will set His rudest men, of whom He has whole armies, upon you every day to judge you, and to find fault with you, and to correct you, and to blame you, and to take their business away from you to a better--to a better than you can ever be with all the pebbles that ever river rolled. Ay, He will take you in hand Himself, and He will set you and will keep you in a low place. (Alex. Whyte, D. D.)
Humbleness the work of true Christian
John Newton wrote a book about grace in the blade, and grace in the ear, and grace in the full corn in the ear. A very talkative body said to him, I have been reading your valuable book, Mr. Newton; it is a splendid work; and when I came to that part, the full corn in the ear I thought how wonderfully you had described me. Oh, replied Mr. Newton, but you could not have read the book rightly, for it is one of the marks of the full corn in the ear, that it hangs its head very low. (C. H. Spurgeon.)
The Biblical Illustrator, edited by Joseph S. Exell (c. 1880s–1900s) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v14 HOMILETICS OF 2Ki_22:14-20
HOMILETICS OF 2Ki_22:14-20
THE REVELATION OF THE DIVINE PURPOSE
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I. Is clearly interpreted by a duly authorised messenger (2Ki_22:14). Though little is known of Huldah, the prophetess, there is sufficient to indicate that she must have been a remarkably gifted woman. Her great influence in Jerusalem is shown by the fact that the high priest and the king’s most trusted ministers seek light from her. It is but rare that the prophetic function is bestowed on woman. There are only two other prophetesses mentioned in the Old Testament—Miriam (Exo_15:20), and Deborah (Jdg_9:4); but neither of these seemed to touch the high spiritual elevation reached by Huldah. In the spirit of ecstacy, they sang sacred songs and excited the enthusiasm of the people after signal victories; but they did not prophesy, like Huldah, in that higher sphere of Divine authority which warranted the use of the phrase—“Thus saith the Lord.” The Divine Spirit is no respecter of person or sex in the distribution of His precious gifts. The Divine word can be interpreted only by those who are taught by the Divine spirit. As the scientist should be most competent to interpret science, so the spiritual man should be the best authority in explaining spiritual things.
II. Furnishes reasons for the exercise of Divine vengeance (2Ki_22:15-17). God never strikes without sufficient warning and remonstrance. In this instance Huldah announces that punishment will be imposed because Judah had abandoned Jehovah, and rendered homage to other gods. This treachery was so bold, so persistent, so inveterate, that vengeance was inevitable. Still Jehovah pauses to reason, to explain, to make it clear He does not act from vindictiveness and passion; the offender provokes his own ruin. Napoleon once said, “Vengeance has no foresight;” and this is true regarding human vengeance. Not so with God; the reasons for the Divine procedure are so far revealed as to justify God, and leave man without excuse or cause of complaint.
III. Indicates the Divine willingness to show mercy to the sincerely penitent (2Ki_22:18-20.) The tears and pleadings of Josiah touched the heart of God, and he was spared the pain of witnessing the calamities of his country. How eager is our God to show mercy; how slow to punish.
Heaven has but
Our sorrow for our sins, and then delights
To pardon erring man. Sweet mercy seems
Its darling attribute, which limits justice,
As if there were degrees in infinite:
An infinite would rather want perfection,
Than punish to extent.
Dryden.
LESSONS:—
1. The Divine purpose may be deciphered in great national changes.
2. The Divine purpose is plainly revealed in rewards and punishments.
3. The Divine wrath may be averted by timely repentance and reform.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
2Ki_22:14. The dignity of woman.
1. In being exalted to an office of great responsibility and power.
2. In being highly gifted with intellectual and spiritual insight.
3. In commanding the respect and homage of the great.
4. In being honoured and inspired to authoritatively interpret the will of God.
—The grave priest, the learned scribe, the honourable courtiers do not disdain to knock at the door of a prophetess; neither do any of them say, it were hard if we should not have as much acquaintance with God as a woman. But, in humble acknowledgment of her graces, they come to learn the will of God from her mouth. True piety is modest, and stands not upon terms of reputation in the businesses of God, but willingly honours his gifts in any subject, least of all in itself.—Bp. Hall.
2Ki_22:16-19. The Divine wrath.
1. Is explicitly declared against all workers of iniquity (2Ki_22:16).
2. Is unalterable in its attitude towards obstinate apostasy (2Ki_22:17).
3. Is postponed by sincere repentance and self-humiliation (2Ki_22:18-19).
4. Will inevitably overtake the impenitent wicked.
2Ki_22:19. A tender heart.
1. Is keenly susceptible to good influences.
2. Is powerfully affected with the malignant nature of sin.
3. Compassionates the terrible condition of the victims of sin.
4. Finds a profound and immediate response in the tender mercy of God.
—How happy a thing it is to be a reed unto God’s judgments, rather than an oak! The meek and gentle reed stoops, and therefore stands; the oak stands stiffly out against the strongest gust, and therefore is turned up by the roots. At least, let us lament those sins we have-not avoided; and mourn for the sins of others while we hate our own.—Bp. Hall
2Ki_22:19-20. Josiah, a pattern for the ignorant. Both the character and the fortunes of Josiah are described in these words: his character, his heart was tender and he feared God: his fortunes, an untimely death, designed as a reward for his obedience. Josiah was brought up among very wicked men, in a corrupt court, after an apostasy of more than half a century, far from God’s prophets and in the midst of idols. He had every temptation to go wrong; and had he done so, we might have made allowances, and said that he was not so bad as the other kings, for he knew no better; he had not sinned against light. Yes, he would have sinned against light—the event shows it; for if he had light enough to go right (which he had. for he did go right), it follows, that if he had gone wrong, it would have been against light. This is very important. Everyone, even the poorest and most ignorant, has knowledge enough to be religious. Education does not make a man religious; nor is it an excuse for a man’s disobedience that he has not been educated in his duty. Josiah had that which all men have, heathen as well as Christian, till they pervert or blunt it—a natural sense of right or wrong; and he did not blunt it. His heart was tender; he acknowledged a constraining force in the Divine voice within him; he heard and obeyed. Though all the world had told him otherwise, he could not believe and would not, that he might sin without offence, with impunity; that he might be sensual, or cruel, after the manner of idolaters, and nothing would come of it. And further, amid all the various worships offered to his acceptance, this same inward sense of his, strengthened by practice, unhesitatingly chose out the true one, the worship of the god of Israel. Such was the beginning of Josiah’s life. At sixteen he began to seek after the god of his fathers; at twenty he commenced his reformation with a resolute faith and true-hearted generous devotion. From the language of Scripture, it would seem, he began of himself; thus he is left a pattern to all ages of prompt obedience for conscience’ sake. At first not having the book of the law to guide him, he took such measures as natural conscience suggested; he put away idolatry generally. Thus he set out not knowing whither he went. But it is the rule of God’s providence that those who act up to their light shall be rewarded with clearer light. Accordingly, while he was thus engaged, after a few years, he found the book of the law in the course of his reformations. Josiah’s conduct on this discovery marks his character. Many men, certainly many young men, who had been so zealous as he had already shown himself for six years, would have prided themselves on what they had done, and though they began humbly, by this time would have become self-willed, self-confident, and hard-hearted. Far from it; his peculiar praise is singleness of mind, a pure conscience. His was not that stern enthusiasm which has displayed itself in some so-called reformations, fancying itself God’s peculiar choice, and despising others. Here we have the pattern of reformers, singleness of heart, gentleness of temper, in the midst of zeal, resoluteness and decision in action. All God’s saints have this union of opposite graces: Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Nehemiah, St. Paul; but in which of them all is the wonder-working power of grace shown more attractively than in Josiah? Observe his conduct when the law was read to him—“he rent his clothes.” He thought far more of what he had not done, than of what he had done. He felt how incomplete his reformation had been; and he felt how far more guilty his whole people were than he had supposed, receiving, as they had, such precise guidance in Scripture what to do, and such solemn command to do it; and he learned, moreover, the fearful punishment which was hanging over them, for in that Book of the Law were contained the threats of vengeance to be fulfilled in case of transgression. Observe in what Josiah’s chief excellence lay—“he turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” (2Ki_22:2). He kept the narrow middle way. Now what is this strict virtue called? It is called faith. It is no matter whether we call it faith or conscientiousness, they are in substance one and the same. Where there is faith there is conscientiousness, where there is conscientiousness there is faith. They may be distinguished from each other in words, but they are not divided in fact. They belong to one, and but one, habit of mind—dutifulness; they show themselves in obedience, in the careful, anxious observance of God’s will, however we learn it. And this is called faith, because it implies a reliance on the mere word of the unseen God overpowering the temptations of sin. May God grant that we, like Josiah, may improve our gifts, and trade and make merchandise with them, so that when he cometh to reckon with us, we may be accepted!—Condensed from J. H. Newman.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14, 17, 20 This is a woman's name. (See: How to Translate…
Huldah
This is a woman's name. (See: How to Translate Names)
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Shallum ... Tikvah ... Harhas
These are men's names. (See: How to Translate Names)
keeper of the wardrobe
Possible meanings are 1) the person who took care of the clothing that priests wore in the temple or 2) the person who took care of the king's clothing.
she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter
Here "second quarter" refers to the new part of the city that was built on the north side of Jerusalem. Also, "second" is the ordinal form of 2. AT: "she lived in Jerusalem in the new part of the city" or "she lived in the new part of Jerusalem" (See: Assumed Knowledge and Implicit Information and Ordinal Numbers)
the man who sent you to me
Here "the man" refers to King Josiah.
I will bring disaster to this place and to its inhabitants
Yahweh causing terrible things to happen is spoken of as if disaster were an object that he could bring to a place. AT: "I will cause terrible things to happen to this place and to those who live there" (See: Metaphor)
to this place
"to Jerusalem." This refers to the city of Jerusalem which represents the whole land of Judah. AT: "to Judah" (See: Synecdoche)
translationWords
prophet
Jerusalem
Yahweh
God
Israel
send
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv14, 15, 18 22:14 The prophet Huldah . . . was the…
22:14 The prophet Huldah . . . was the wife of Shallum: Some have suggested that this Shallum was related to Jeremiah (Jer 32:7-12). Huldah’s family relationships might have allowed her to serve as a sort of court prophet (see also 2 Chr 34:22-28).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.