2 Chronicles 34:20-22 Meaning: Seeking the Lord When His Word Confronts Us
20The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
21“Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept Yahweh’s word, to do according to all that is written in this book.”
22So Hilkiah and those whom the king had commanded went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke to her to that effect.
20And 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,
21Go, enquire of the Lord for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do after all that is written in this book.
22And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect.
20And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
21Go ye, inquire of Jehovah for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Jehovah, to do according unto all that is written in this book.
22So Hilkiah, and they whom the kinghad commanded, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they spake to her to that effect.
20and the king commandeth Hilkiah, and Ahikam son of Shaphan, and Abdon son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, servant of the king, saying,
21`Go, seek Jehovah for me, and for him who is left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found, for great is the fury of Jehovah that is poured on us, because that our fathers kept not the word of Jehovah, to do according to all that is written on this book.'
22And Hilkiah goeth, and they of the king, unto Huldah the prophetess, wife of Shallum son of Tikvath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the garments, and she is dwelling in Jerusalem in the Second, and they speak unto her thus.
20And the king commanded Hilkijah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying,
21Go, inquire of Jehovah for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book which is found; for great is the wrath of Jehovah that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Jehovah, to do according to all that is written in this book.
22And Hilkijah and they that the king [had appointed] went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokehath, son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe: now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the second quarter [of the town]; and they spoke with her to that effect.
Meaning in one sentence
After finding the Book of the Law, King Josiah sends to Huldah the prophetess to inquire of the Lord. A story of humility, urgency, and seeking God.
Context
Josiah was a young king trying to restore the worship of Israel’s God. While repairing the temple, the high priest Hilkiah found a scroll, the Book of the Law, likely Deuteronomy. When Shaphan the scribe read it aloud to the king, Josiah tore his clothes in grief. He realised how far the nation had strayed from God’s commands, and he understood that judgment was deserved. But instead of despairing alone, he acted. He sent five trusted officials to “inquire of the Lord” for him and for the people. That inquiry is the heart of this passage: a king who could have made plans on his own chose instead to seek a word from God.
Key Words
The word translated inquire is the Hebrew darash (H1875). It means to seek with care, to consult, to resort to someone for guidance. This is not a casual question. It is the same word used when Moses went to the tent of meeting to seek the Lord (Exodus 18:15). Josiah did not send for a second opinion; he sent for God’s only word.
The phrase wrath poured out comes from natakh (H5413), which means to pour forth like rain or molten metal. Josiah pictures God’s anger not as a distant threat but as something already spilling over. He feels it pressing in. Yet he does not hide, he runs toward the source of that word.
Finally, the remnant (nish’ar, H7604) refers to those left after judgment. Josiah uses this word even while the nation still stands. He knows that without turning back to God, little will remain. Hope lives in that word: a remnant is still there to seek Him.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions notice that the Chronicler records different names than 2 Kings (Abdon son of Micah instead of Achbor son of Micaiah). Some read this as a copyist variant, others as evidence that Josiah’s delegation included two different groups at different stages. The detail reminds us that Scripture records real history, even when the exact names shift between accounts.
Many have observed that Josiah sent to a woman prophet, Huldah, when he could have consulted Jeremiah or Zephaniah, who were also active then. The point seems to be that God’s gift of prophecy is not bound by gender, He speaks through whom He chooses. Catholic and Orthodox readers honour Huldah among the Old Testament prophetesses; Protestant readers often highlight her courage and the king’s humility in seeking her.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is that Josiah already knew what God would say and the inquiry was a formality, a political move to gain public support. In fact, Josiah was genuinely shaken. He tore his clothes, sent a delegation, and confessed that his ancestors had not kept the word. He did not assume he could fix things on his own. He needed to hear from God, and he made sure his whole court knew that desperation.
Living This Out
This week, you might find yourself confronted by a passage of Scripture that stings. Maybe it shows a pattern you have ignored, or it calls you to a change you have resisted. Josiah’s response is your model: do not put the book down and walk away. Call a trusted friend. Go to a prayer group. Ask the question out loud: “What does the Lord want to say to us through this?” The answer may bring grief first, but it always opens the door for mercy.
Main takeaway: When God’s word exposes our failure, true wisdom is to run to Him with humility and urgency, not away from Him in denial.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
King Josiah found God’s special book, and it made him sad because he saw that the people had not obeyed. So he asked a woman named Huldah to help him understand what God wanted. When we read the Bible and it shows us something wrong, we can ask God for help too.
For ages 9, 12
Josiah could have just felt guilty and done nothing. Instead he sent his leaders to find someone who could give them God’s message. He didn’t care if the person was a woman or not, he just wanted to hear from God. When the Bible challenges you, don’t hide. Find a trusted Christian and ask for their insight. God always has something to say to those who sincerely seek Him.
Questions People Ask
Why did Josiah send to Huldah instead of a more famous prophet like Jeremiah?
We don't know exactly why Josiah chose Huldah. Jeremiah and Zephaniah were also prophesying at this time, but Scripture does not explain the decision. It may be that Huldah was already well known in Jerusalem for her gift, or that the delegation went to the nearest trustworthy prophet. What matters is that God honoured her word, and Josiah received a direct answer.
What book was found in the temple?
Most scholars believe it was a copy of Deuteronomy, or perhaps the entire Pentateuch. The scroll had been lost or neglected during the reigns of wicked kings. When it was read aloud, Josiah realised how much the nation had disobeyed God's commands, especially about worship and covenant. Finding the book led to nationwide reform.
Why does Chronicles list Abdon son of Micah while Kings says Achbor son of Micaiah?
The two accounts have slightly different names for one of the king's officials. This may be a scribal variant: the names Abdon and Achbor sound similar in Hebrew, and the father's name Micah and Micaiah are also close. It could also be that two different people were involved at different stages. Either way, both texts agree on the core event: Josiah sent a delegation to a prophet.
What did Huldah tell them?
Huldah delivered two messages from the Lord. First, judgment would come on Judah because of their idolatry, just as the book warned. Second, because Josiah humbled himself and tore his clothes, he would be spared from seeing that disaster. He would be gathered to his fathers in peace before the judgment fell (2 Chronicles 34:23-28).
Is it significant that Huldah was a woman and a prophetess?
Yes. The Old Testament records only a few women called prophetess: Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), and Huldah, along with Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3). That Josiah sought her shows that God can speak through anyone He chooses, regardless of gender. The early church fathers honoured her as an example of faithful prophecy.
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