II Kings 22:11

In his alarm at the words of the book of the law that had been read to him, Josiah rent his clothes, and sent a deputation to the prophetess Huldah, to make inquiry of Jehovah through her concerning the things which he had heard from the law. The deputation consisted of the high priest Hilkiah, Ahikam the supporter of Jeremiah (Jer 26:24) and the father of Gedaliah the governor (Kg2 25:22; Jer 39:14, etc.), Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the state-secretary (Kg2 22:3), and Asahiah the servant (i.e., an officer) of the king.

We hear no more of the repairing of the temple: no doubt that good work went on well; but the book of the law that was found in it occupies us now, and well it may. It is not laid up in the king's cabinet as a piece of antiquity, a rarity to be admired, but it is read before the king. Those put the truest honour upon their Bibles that study them and converse with them daily, feed on that bread and walk by that light. Men of honour and business must look upon an acquaintance with God's word to be their best business and honour. Now here we have, I. The impressions which the reading of the law made upon Josiah. He rent his clothes, as one ashamed of the sin of his people and afraid of the wrath of God; he had long thought the case of his kingdom bad, by reason of the idolatries and impieties that had been found among them, but he never thought it so bad as he perceived it to be by the book of the law now read to him. The rending of his clothes signified the rending of his heart for the dishonour done to God, and the ruin he saw coming upon his people. II. The application he made to God hereupon: Go, enquire of the Lord for me, Kg2 22:13. 1. Two things we may suppose he desired to know: - "Enquire, (1.) What we shall do; what course we shall take to turn away God's wrath and prevent the judgments which our sins have deserved." Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this enquiry, What shall we do to be saved? Wherewithal shall we come before the Lord? If you will thus enquire, enquire quickly, before it be too late. (2.) "What we may expect and must provide for." He acknowledges, "Our fathers have not hearkened to the words of this book; if this be the rule of right, certainly our fathers have been much in the wrong." Now that the commandment came sin revived, and…

22:11-13 Like Hezekiah before him (19:1), Josiah tore his clothes in genuine grief for his own spiritual condition and that of the people of Judah. • have not obeyed the words in this scroll: The portion that Shaphan read to Josiah apparently reminded him of God’s claim upon his people, the need for faithfulness to the covenant, and the penalties for infidelity (see Deut 28). Recognizing that Judah had failed to obey the law, Josiah rightly feared the Lord’s great anger.