◄ 2 Chronicles 34:20 ►
and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king:
Study Bible
and commanded Hilkiah
Hilkiah was the high priest during the reign of King Josiah. His role was crucial in the religious reforms that Josiah implemented. The discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple by Hilkiah was a pivotal moment in Judah's history, leading to a national revival. This highlights the importance of spiritual leadership and the rediscovery of God's Word in bringing about reform and renewal.

Ahikam son of Shaphan
Ahikam was a prominent official and the son of Shaphan, who was a scribe and a key figure in Josiah's court. Ahikam later played a significant role in protecting the prophet Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24), showing his commitment to God's messengers. His inclusion here indicates the involvement of trusted and faithful officials in the king's reforms.

Abdon son of Micah
Abdon, also known as Achbor in some translations, was another official in Josiah's administration. His presence in this group underscores the collaborative effort among the king's advisors to implement the religious reforms. The mention of his lineage, "son of Micah," connects him to a family possibly known for their faithfulness or service.

Shaphan the scribe
Shaphan was a scribe, a position of significant responsibility, involving the recording and preservation of important documents. His role in reading the Book of the Law to King Josiah (2 Kings 22:10) was instrumental in sparking the king's reform efforts. Shaphan's family continued to have a lasting impact, with his descendants also serving in important roles during the time of Jeremiah.

and Asaiah the servant of the king
Asaiah, described as the king's servant, likely held a position of trust and influence in Josiah's court. His inclusion in this group suggests that Josiah surrounded himself with loyal and capable individuals to carry out his directives. Asaiah's role emphasizes the importance of faithful service to leadership in fulfilling God's purposes.

the king:
King Josiah was one of the most righteous kings of Judah, known for his dedication to God and his efforts to restore true worship. His reforms were comprehensive, affecting religious practices, the temple, and the people's adherence to the covenant. Josiah's actions fulfilled prophecies and demonstrated a type of Christ in his zeal for God's house and his desire to lead the people back to covenant faithfulness.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hilkiah
The high priest during the reign of King Josiah, instrumental in the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple.

2. Ahikam son of Shaphan
A royal official and son of Shaphan, who played a significant role in the reforms of King Josiah.

3. Abdon son of Micah
Another official in King Josiah's court, involved in the religious reforms.

4. Shaphan the scribe
A scribe and father of Ahikam, who read the Book of the Law to King Josiah.

5. Asaiah the servant of the king
A servant of King Josiah, involved in the king's religious reforms.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Leadership
The involvement of key figures like Hilkiah and Shaphan in Josiah's reforms underscores the impact of godly leadership in bringing about spiritual renewal.

The Power of Scripture
The rediscovery of the Book of the Law was a catalyst for national repentance and reform, illustrating the transformative power of God's Word when it is read and obeyed.

Faithful Service
Each person mentioned played a role in the reforms, reminding us that God uses individuals in various capacities to accomplish His purposes.

Heritage of Faith
The mention of family connections (e.g., Ahikam son of Shaphan) highlights the importance of passing down faith and values through generations.

Obedience to God's Commands
The response to the Book of the Law demonstrates the importance of aligning our lives with God's commands, leading to personal and communal transformation.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of Hilkiah in this passage inspire you to seek and uphold the truth of God's Word in your own life?

2. In what ways can the rediscovery of the Book of the Law be compared to a personal rediscovery of Scripture in your life today?

3. How can the example of Ahikam and his protection of Jeremiah encourage you to stand up for righteousness in your community?

4. What steps can you take to ensure that your faith and values are passed down to the next generation, as seen in the family connections in this passage?

5. Reflect on a time when obedience to God's Word led to transformation in your life or community. How can you apply this experience to current challenges you face?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 22
This chapter parallels the events of 2 Chronicles 34, detailing the discovery of the Book of the Law and the subsequent reforms initiated by King Josiah.

Deuteronomy 31:24-26
These verses describe the original placement of the Book of the Law beside the Ark of the Covenant, highlighting its significance and the gravity of its rediscovery.

Jeremiah 26:24
Ahikam is mentioned as a protector of the prophet Jeremiah, showing his continued influence and faithfulness to God’s purposes.
Sermons
The Book of the LawT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 34:14-28
The Hidden TreasureW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 34:14-28
Finding the Book of the LawB. Kent, M.A.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Josiah and the Newly Found LawA. Maclaren, D.D.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Restoring God's HouseSunday School Times2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Book of the Law FoundG. E. Horr.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Book of the Law FoundJ. E. Jacklin.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Loss of the ScripturesA. Phelps.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Scriptures Found and SearchedMonday Club Sermons2 Chronicles 34:14-33
People
Abdon, Ahikam, Asaiah, Azaliah, Benjamin, David, Hasrah, Hilkiah, Huldah, Israelites, Jahath, Joah, Joahaz, Job, Josiah, Kohath, Kohathites, Levites, Maaseiah, Manasseh, Merari, Meshullam, Micah, Naphtali, Obadiah, Shallum, Shaphan, Simeon, Tikvath, Zechariah
Places
Jerusalem, Second Quarter
Topics
Abdon, Ahikam, Ahi'kam, Asaiah, Asai'ah, Attendant, Commanded, Commandeth, Hilkiah, Hilki'ah, Hilkijah, King's, Micah, Orders, Saying, Scribe, Secretary, Servant, Shaphan
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 34:15-21

     4963   past, the

2 Chronicles 34:15-24

     1640   Book of the Law

2 Chronicles 34:19-28

     8648   enquiring of God

2 Chronicles 34:19-33

     8466   reformation

Library
Josiah
'Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. 3. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
'And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. 15. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. 17. And they have gathered together the money …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times, …
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"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."--2 Kings …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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