Verse 1

eight years. Manasseh began at twelve, bred under godly Hezekiah. Josiah began at eight, bred by ungodly Amon. Contrast the two characters.

Boscath. In Judah. Compare Joshua 15:39.

Verse 2

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

turned not aside. Josiah is the only king of whom this is said.

Verse 3

the eighteenth year. Marks the completion of the work (2 Kings 23:23). Begun in the twelfth year (2 Chronicles 34:3, 2 Chronicles 34:8). Jeremiah was called in Josiah"s thirteenth year (Jeremiah 1:2; Jeremiah 25:3), and was to Josiah what Isaiah had been to Hezekiah.

Shaphan. Eight relatives mentioned in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles:

(1) His grandfather, Meshullam (2 Kings 22:3);

(2) his father, Azaliah (2 Kings 22:3);

(3) his son, Ahikam (2 Kings 22:12);

(4) his son, Gemariah (Jeremiah 36:10);

(5) his son, Elasah (Jeremiah 29:3);

(6) his son, Jaazaniah (Ezekiel 8:11);

(7) his grandson, Michaiah (Jeremiah 36:11, Jeremiah 36:13);

(8) his grandson, Gedaliah (Jeremiah 39:43).

Verse 4

Hilkiah. The son of Shallum and father of Azariah (1 Chronicles 6:13). sum = pour out, or pay away.

Verse 5

of the doers. These were the overseers. to the doers. These were the labourers.

Verse 6

the house. Some codices, with two early printed editions, and Septuagint, read "the breaches of the house", as in 2 Kings 22:5.

Verse 8

the book of the law. i.e. the original copy of the Pentateuch, laid up by the side of the Ark (Deuteronomy 31:24-26). Probably secreted during the reigns of Manasseh (2 Kings 21:16) and Amon (2 Kings 21:21). See App-47.

Verse 10

read it. Especially those parts applicable to the then circumstances, such as Lev 26. Deu 28. &c.

Verse 11

he rent his clothes. Not necessarily on account of his surprise, but on account of the solemnity of the words.

Verse 12

Ahikara. The friend of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 26:24) and father of Gedaliah (Compare 2 Kings 25:22. Jeremiah 39:14, Jeremiah 40:5). See note on "Shaphan" (2 Kings 22:3).

Achbor. Not the same person as Abdon, in 2 Chronicles 34:20.

Verse 13

and for all Judah. Some codices, with two early printed editions, read "and for the remnant in Israel and in Judah". Compare 2 Chronicles 34:21. 2 Chronicles 6:4); Deborah (Judges 4:4); Noadiah (Nehemiah 6:14); Isaiah"s wife (Isaiah 8:3); Anna (Luke 2:36); and Philip"s daughters (Acts 21:9).

the wife. Compare the usage (Judges 4:4). The employment of a woman as prophet shows the degeneracy of the times, deplored by Isaiah (2 Kings 9:15), denounced by Jeremiah (2 Kings 5:7, 2 Kings 5:8; 2 Kings 14:14; 2 Kings 23:14-30; 2 Kings 37:19. Lamentations 2:14), and by Ezekiel (2 Kings 13:2-23). Inferred also from Huldah"s words (verses: 2 Kings 22:15-18), and Jeremiah 5:31.

wardrobe: i.e. vestry, or vestments.

now. Note the Figure of speech Parenthesis.

in the college. Hebrew in the second. Some supply "part", or "city". Probably = "second gate [of the city]". Compare 2 Chronicles 34:22 and Zephaniah 1:10,

Verse 16

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6.

evil. Hebrew. ra"a". App-44.

Verse 17

forsaken Me. Huldah adopts the words of Deuteronomy 29:25-27.

Verse 18

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

As touching. No Ellipsis here, but at end of verse. See below.

heard, or hearkened to. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis thus: "Thus saith Jehovah Elohim: the words which thou hast hearkened to [shall surely come to pass]. In that thine heart was tender . . . I also have heard thee".

Verse 19

Because = In that.

a desolation and a curse. These words are from Deuteronomy 11:26; Deuteronomy 28:15-19; Deuteronomy 29:19; Deuteronomy 30:1. Compare Jeremiah 44:22.

Verse 20

gathered. See note on Genesis 49:33.

thy grave. Hebrew. keber (not Sheol). in 2 Kings 21:26 rendered sepulchre.

in peace. Josiah died in war (2 Kings 23:29); but why not "in peace" of mind and heart as well? Compare Isaiah 57:2,