2 Kings 22. Josiah’s good reign; his care for the repair of the temple, 2 Kings 21:1–7. Hilkiah found a book of the law; the king by it understandeth God’s threatenings against backsliders, and by Huldah the prophetess inquireth of the Lord, 2 Kings 21:8–14.

In the eighteenth year, not of his life, but of his reign, as it is expressed, 2 Chron. 34:3, 2 Chron. 34:8. What he did before this time, see 2 Chron. 34:3;c. The scribe; the king’s secretary.

That he may sum the silver, i.e. take an exact account how much it is, and then dispose it in manner following. The keepers of the door were priests or Levites, as appears from 2 Kings 12:9, 2 Chron. 8:14, 2 Chron. 23:4, 2 Chron. 34:9.

The oversight of the house of the Lord, i.e. the care and oversight of the workmen; which also were Levites, 2 Chron. 34:12.

Either hewed or cut out of the quarries, or to be hewed and fitted to the building.

i.e. Because it was found by experience that they dealt faithfully. Verbs signifying the being of a thing are oft put for the manifestation of it.

The book of the law; that original book of the law of the Lord, given or written by the hand of Moses, as it is expressed, 2 Chron. 34:14, which by God’s command was put beside the ark, Deut.

The words of the book of the law, i. e. the dreadful comminations against them for the sins still reigning among the people. Quest. Did Josiah never see and read a copy of this book before this time? If he did not, how could he do so much towards the reformation of religion, as he did before? if he…

A servant of the king’s, who most constantly waited upon the king’s person; otherwise all of them were the king’s servants.

Inquire of the Lord; either what he intends to do with us, or what we shall do to him, to appease his wrath. Concerning the words of this book; whether the curses here threatened must come upon us without remedy, or whether there be hope in Israel concerning the prevention of them.

Unto Huldah the prophetess; for we read of women prophetesses, both in the Old and New Testament; as Miriam, Ex. 15:20, Deborah, Judg. 4:4, Hannah, 1 Sam. 2:0, Elisabeth, and the blessed Virgin, Luke 1:0, and Philip’s daughters, Acts 21:9. Quest.

The works of their hands; gods made with hands. This she adds to aggravate their folly and contempt of God, in preferring such vain and idle things before him.

In peace, i.e. in a time of public peace, and the tranquility of thy kingdom; or so as thou shalt not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place, as the following words explain it; for otherwise he died in battle, 2 Kings 23:29.